sheamurai

Hi
I am upgrading from a 20 to a 77 gallon tank. I want to keep my 20 gallon tank as a quarantine tank.
Whats the minimum number of fish to stock in the quarantine tank (20gal) in order to maintain my cycle so the tank is ready to go when I need it?
Is there a way to keep a quarantine tank ready without stocking it?
Sorry, thats two questions, lol.

Shawnie

just keep the filter from the QT tank running on your bigger tank at all times..then you dont have to keep the 20 gal stocked and running..you would just need to fill it with treated tap water and move the filter over when needed....qt tanks should be bare bottom for an easy cleaning schedule so no need for anything but the water and established filter...not to mention extra filtration on the 77 gal wont hurt

sheamurai

I have an enhiem canister on the 77, so I'm not worried about filtration there, lol, but your point about keeping the old filter on it is well taken...bit of a bummer to clutter up my new tank, but worth it not to have to have the QT tank running allatime.
Thanks!

Shawnie

wasnt assuming you needed more filtration just suggesting what I do with my tank if I need a qt one thats all or keep just a ton of extra media in the canister for your filter..no need for the entire thing

sheamurai

no thats great I'm going to do that.

Its off topic of my own thread, but can you tell me why I never seem to see aerators on the bigger tanks? Are aerators just not necessary except in specific conditions?

Shawnie

airators meaning bubble wands or rocks? if so, I have the long bar that goes across the top of my canister filter and it sprays into my 75 gal, as well as a bubble wand on the bottom of each end....

sheamurai

oh ok. I've just seen a few tanks while I was shopping and I didn't see any bubbles so I thought perhaps larger tanks didn't need them.

thanks Shawnie

Shawnie

if you have enough surface agitation, you dont need any..I like the effect and so do my fish....(or so they seem to like to play in the bubbles LOL ) but each person has a preference..and your welcome