DT in my QT

[silverado61]

I'm getting ready to do a water change in my DT and I'm going to be setting up my QT at the same time. Is it possible or advisable to use water from my DT to cycle my QT? Or is that a stupid idea?
Also, can someone explain to me how a QT cycles if there's nothing in there to kick start it? Can I keep anything live in there so it doesn't just sit there empty when I'm not using it? Do I do water changes on it and if so, how often? Does it need a skimmer? Is there a thread that I can read that explains all this?
Thx everybody.

 

[flower]

Hi,

Yes you can use the old changed out water for the quarantine tank, but there is very little good bacteria actually in the water, so it's kind of useless. What is really useful is old loaded media from the filter, or a sponge that you have had in the display, that is where the good bacteria is found. Macroalgae is another fantastic thing to help keep parameters stable.

A QT is very easy to set up. All you need is a little 10g to 20g tank (paint the bottom outside black or put a dark colored towel under it).
leave the bottom bare, no substrate. A little HOB filter like a Penguin or Whisper and that media, I mentioned, will sit right down in there. A piece of PVC pipe or some little decorative fake thing. Use a rubberband and attach an air line to it, to hold it down in the tank. Instead of a power head, the air bubbles will move the water surface and oxygenate the tank. That's it.

If you don't have a sponge or media from another filter...put the HOB little filter on the display, and let it run a few weeks. Then when you are ready, just take it and put it on the quarantine tank, leaving the media in it that is now saturated with good bacteria.

I always had premixed and ready to go change water. I had those dip stick ammonia tests. Each morning and evening, I would test the QT water. If there was any sign of ammonia, I was prepared to do a water change. In 13+ years of keeping SW tanks, I have never had to use the emergency water. Instead I used it for the next time I did a water change on the display. The old media is all you need to keep the tank cycled, and macroalgae will add to the protection.

 

[sweatervest13]

Great advice Flower!! Prefect explanation of how to set up the QT.
I like to try to do a WC on my QT every two weeks. I use the water from my weekly WC in the DT. 10g tank and I Change out 5g. I try to keep my QT at the same salinity as my DT (unless treating with hypo of course). I also keep a little damselfish in the QT as a permanent resident. This help me always have that tank set up and running.
I use to run a skimmer on my QT but it got a bit wonky so I took it offline. Replaced it with an additional hob penguin rated for 30g. I also have a MJ 1200 power head. A skimmer won't function (produce any skim mate) if you are treating with hypo. But it will add additional flow and some extral water volume.
Good choice deciding to set up a QT. it will pay off in the long run.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/396374/dt-in-my-qt#post_3531563
Great advice Flower!! Prefect explanation of how to set up the QT.
I like to try to do a WC on my QT every two weeks. I use the water from my weekly WC in the DT. 10g tank and I Change out 5g. I try to keep my QT at the same salinity as my DT (unless treating with hypo of course). I also keep a little damselfish in the QT as a permanent resident. This help me always have that tank set up and running.
I use to run a skimmer on my QT but it got a bit wonky so I took it offline. Replaced it with an additional hob penguin rated for 30g. I also have a MJ 1200 power head. A skimmer won't function (produce any skim mate) if you are treating with hypo. But it will add additional flow and some extral water volume.
Good choice deciding to set up a QT. it will pay off in the long run.

LOL...What do you do with the evil little damsel when you put a stressed out, timid new fish in the QT? A 1200 PH and a skimmer....It sounds like you turned your QT into another display, I'm so guilty of doing that. An empty tank in my house won't stay empty for long.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by silverado61 http:///t/396374/dt-in-my-qt#post_3531554
I'm getting ready to do a water change in my DT and I'm going to be setting up my QT at the same time. Is it possible or advisable to use water from my DT to cycle my QT? Or is that a stupid idea?
Also, can someone explain to me how a QT cycles if there's nothing in there to kick start it? Can I keep anything live in there so it doesn't just sit there empty when I'm not using it? Do I do water changes on it and if so, how often? Does it need a skimmer? Is there a thread that I can read that explains all this?
Thx everybody.

Flower is mostly correct. It's something that I might do myself.

 

[silverado61]

I got the quarantine tank set today. Looks good yet simple. I'm going to move a piece of machro into it later. Thanks everyone for your advice and help.