QT Start Up Questions

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Bill2183

Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Joined
Sep 2, 2003
Messages
26
Location
Illinois USA
I am thinking about setting up a small ( 2.5 or 5 gallon) QT tank. Can someone provide me with advice regarding set up and use?

I am new to this hobby and feel that this is the next logical step. I have recently lost two fish to a mysterious ailment or coincidental old age. The remaining fish are doing well. I have been keeping my current tank for about 8 months.

Any advise on the care and use of a QT tank would be greatly appreciated.
 
Hi Bill,
I have two QT tanks up right now--2.5 and a 5 gal. I would recommend a 5 gal because it is easier to find a filter for and a small 25-watt heater. I do not have a light for that tank and the cover is a wire reptile cover, but I understand some people just use plastic wrap. I have a HOB filter and the tank is kept in the closet--away from chemicals when not in use. When it is needed, the tank gets rinsed out and I fill it up with water from whatever tank has the ailing fish. I learned the hard way not to add any new decorations the fish has never seen, so I usually pull something from the tank. If you are going to use it as a QT tank for new fish friends, get a small decoration for it and that is where that decoration should live. Also, I cover the sides and back with newspaper, so the fish is enclosed (plus the poor thing is usually in the middle of the kitchen--high traffic area).
HTH
 
I wrote an article about FW QT tanks Bill; you can find it here: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/showquestion.php?faq=2&fldAuto=35

I suggest at least a 5g tank; the smaller the tank the more difficult it is to keep up with water parameters, especially if a fish is going to be living in it for a few weeks. Also, a 2 1/2g is too small for most fish sizewise, even in the short term.
 
:D Allivymar, great article - thank you for writing it.

I have a quick question for you. We have been using 2 Penguin 170 HOB filters for our (cycled) 50g tank. Lastnight I set up our 10g tank as a QT for a Black Skirt tetra who has ICH or finrot (looks like both actually). We put one of the Penguins onto the 10g (along with an old heater and a thin layer of gravel from the main tank)... is it necessary to have an airstone as well? Your article says no, but I just want to be sure. Is the filter enough with partial water changes? Also, should I remove the gravel before quaranteening my sick lil guy?
 
I use a 10 gal for a QT tank.
Penguin Mini running on the back of it.
I check the water parameters every now and then and throw in a few blood worms every week or two to keep the tank cycled.
I keep the temp up to whatever my main tank is at.
A few pieces of terrain (plasitc bridges and castles) and a couple of fake plants in it as well.
 
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