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Setting up a quarantine tank for new corals, but I'm not sure about the ideal parameters. My display tank runs at 78F, 1.025 salinity, and 8 dKH. Should I match these exactly or adjust for quarantine? Also, what's the minimum tank size you'd recommend for a few frags?

Yo, fruitsy, you gotta match those params dead on, no sketchy shortcuts. I run a 10-gallon QT with a HOB filter, heater set to 78F, and dose alk daily to keep it steady. Smaller tanks swing faster, so test every day, no slacking.

I agree with Hassan85. Stability is key. I use a 5-gallon with a simple air-driven sponge filter and a 50W heater. It's small but works for 2-3 frags at a time. Just watch the temp closely.

Hassan85 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 26, 2025 8:41 pm Yo, fruitsy, you gotta match those params dead on, no sketchy shortcuts. I run a 10-gallon QT with a HOB filter, heater set to 78F, and dose alk daily to keep it steady. Smaller tanks swing faster, so test every day, no slacking.

Spot on. I'd add a cheap LED light too—nothing fancy, just enough to keep them alive. And yeah, test like your corals depend on it, because they do.

I've had success with a 20-gallon long. More water volume means less hassle with swings. Run a small powerhead for flow and keep the lighting low. Match your display's salinity and temp, but you can let alk drift a bit during QT.

I'm with Bronco1 on the bigger tank. Less stress for everyone. I use a 15-gallon with a basic T5 light and a tiny wave maker. Parameters stay rock solid if you do weekly water changes with display water.

Thanks for the input, everyone. I'll go with a 10-gallon and match my display params. Already have a spare heater and HOB filter, so that cuts the cost. Any tips on spotting pests during QT?

Dip those frags before they go in, no excuses. I use Bayer at 5ml per gallon for 15 minutes. Then inspect under bright light for flatworms or nudis. QT is your last line of defense, don't mess it up.

Hassan85 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 3:04 am Dip those frags before they go in, no excuses. I use Bayer at 5ml per gallon for 15 minutes. Then inspect under bright light for flatworms or nudis. QT is your last line of defense, don't mess it up.

Yep, and if you see anything sketchy, hit 'em with a freshwater dip. Just match temp and pH, 3-5 minutes max. Works like a charm for most hitchhikers.

I've had good luck with CoralRx. Follow the bottle instructions and keep a magnifying glass handy. Also, quarantine for at least 4 weeks—some pests take time to show up.