? about Q-tanks

[marty]

I keep reading posts (every once in a while about this subject) about needing to have an establish q-tank, meaning it has to cycle. Is this true? Does a q-tank need to cycle?
How does a q-tank cycle then? I mean, a q-tank has saltwater, powerhead, possibly a filter of some sort, and a heater and thermometer. No sand (live or dead), no live rock, just something to hide behind.
One other thought/question: the above listed saltwater - should it come from the show tank or be premixed saltwater that is on-hand? Or a combination of both?
Thanks!

 

[fshhub]

yes, a q tank needs to cycle, all tanks must cycle
as for the water, your choice, you can use pemixed sw or use the water that you take out of your main tank for water changes(as long as it isn't too cruddy) or both to set it up, but after it si running i owuld only luse fresh mix
as far as how it cycles , you need to grow bacteria on everythgin, and you cna cycle using grociery shrimp instead of lr or sand
HTH

 

[marty]

Maybe I am just confused. Is there a difference between a q-tank and a treatment tank (used for hypo's and other treatments)?

 

[fish boy]

if you dont cycle the tank it will kill the fish and it dosent matter what water you use