[lgordon]

I need ideas for a hospital tank that I have to start cycling NOW for moving in 2 months (didn't get much notice). I work in a museum, so I can put fish, liverock and anemones here while I setup and cycle main 150g tank on display.

Would you ;
a) buy a slightly smaller acrylic fish tank and use that?
b) buy a black rubbermaid 100 gal tub? (cheaper? dark walls keep stress down???)
c) buy a collapsible 150 g. tank from koivet.com (it has a window on side) and use tubs inside to keep from scuffing the bottom?
other ideas?????

thanks-
Leslie
(p.s. am I wrong that it will take 2 months to cycle?):read:

 

[Petunia]

'bump'

IMO - purschase another tank for a 'hospital' tank. You'll have to keep parameters in check with the tank that you will be using.

Cycling is a personal preference and you'll get a lot of different responses on the length. IMO - a minimum of two months. It will depend on what you start with and what your parameters are throughout the cycle.

 

[leveldrummer]

you can make it through a cycle in two months, the only problem is it wouldnt be wise to add everything at once to a newly cycled tank.

 

[skeety]

I'd just get a big rubber maid tub. Cheaper, yet still functional.

Make sure it's a thick one though...150gals is a lot of weight.

Couple heaters, PH, and hook a skimmer up, and viola...

 

[JennM]

You could get a Rubbermaid stock tank. I just ordered one yesterday from my local feed store - $222 with tax for a 300-gallon one. They come in 70, 100, 150, 200 (I think) and 300 g sizes.

They look like this:

HTH

Jenn

 

[VWD]

I also like the rubbermaid stock tanks, I have a 150 gallon and they are very nice and study. It is a sump for my frag tanks. I know alot of people using them

 

[lgordon]

oops

Hi all-
Thank you for your advice. One more question about the "hospital" tank, which I should have called "quarantine" or "holding" tank more appropriately.
Does THAT one have to be cycled for 2 months? I have a nice guy from one of those tank maintenance companies that says I can setup a tub/ tank in my new "lab" and move everything (current water, rock, fish- I have no corals) in there in one evening, and just run it BB for the 2 months or longer that it will take for the museum to open the location for the permanent tank. Do you think that will work? I have been reading the wonderful threads called "how to go bare bottom, and how to cook your rock" (by Geoff???). I can start cooking 1/2 of it now, and have that ready by my move date of October 1st ....or 15th (they keep changing it on me). Then I'll cook the other half and add later.
THEN I can properly cycle the main tank for 2 months.

Im hoping you say that I can just move them in to temp. quarters-and keep them there 2 months because the museum has given me less than a month to move. (my "lab is still not ready!) Nice, eh? But i'll take the bad news too.

Thanks for you time and care!

Leslie:wavey:

 

[Twitterbait]

You can... but make sure you don't disturb the sand bed. Use as much of your current water as you can an make sure you also have 50+ gallons of mixed water on the side. I am glad your going to cook the rock, it should really help!