Help w/QT tank

[bunnyl99]

What does anyone add to their QT tank to keep the levels stable? I have had nothing in my QT tank for a few weeks now (20 gal). I don't want to lose the bio load. What does everyone have in theirs?

 

[fedukeford]

ive got a 10 gallon QT, its got a small filter, heater, and a small piece of rock, othing else

 

[bunnyl99]

That's what is in mine, but don't I need something alive in it? When I QT'd my heni, the ammonia went to .25 and trates to 10. Suppose cause I had something alive in it to feed the bacteria to prevent a cycle?? I'm confused. I thought you shouldn't leave a tank sit idle for a time period?

 

[bunnyl99]

Bump

 

[hawthorn]

ive got a chromis in mine with 2 dwarf hermits and lr that keeps my water stable.

 

[merredeth]

That's a really good question.
I have a 20 gallon and just deal with water changes and keep a damsel that terrorizes the main tank in it for now, and just have it ready to go for any emergency that comes up.
I haven't had an emergency in some time, but the minute I don't take care of it all heck will break loose and I'll up a creek without a paddle.
I figure when an emergency does happen, I'll move the damsel into the aggressive tank since that son of a gun loves to terrorize anything that comes within three feet of it. Heck, even my whimpy snowflake eel can't stand him.
Denise M.

 

[daninct]

Here's my plan. I use a 10gal that is empty all the time as I haven't needed to buy and QT anything for a long time nor do I plan to buy. For emergency like a Hospital Tank I take water from my main tank, mix with some stored I keep for water change, and go from there (I have filter, heater, etc). I will rely on frequent water changes to keep down all the bad numbers. Once I am done with the HT I clean it all out and wait for next time.
Should I plan to buy and then need the QT I would do the same but wait longer for things to settlle and again, rely on water changes.
Its a pain but usually only for three week periods.