HT/QT

rapt0r32

rapt0r32

Member
I have to run out and get another small tank to set-up. I was one of the ones that got caught without one. What I want to know is since I moved my 125 and put the LS in my 55 I still have some LS left over in a bucket with water.. Can I put that in the bottom to make the tank cycle quicker? I have an outbreak ( well the beginnings of ICH) and I need to move as fast as I can on this... <img src="graemlins//eek.gif" border="0" alt="[eek]" />
 
marine qa

marine qa

Member
The answer depends on how you plan to cure the Ich. If you are using copper based medications these will kill the LS.
Moreover, you can sufficiently prepare a Hospital tank w/out fully cycling the tank. A very experienced member, who is no longer with us, always suggested filling the HT tank with 1/2 water from your main tank and 1/2 new prepared water. Then use a powerhead, with filter element, from your main tank in your HT tank. The main tank's water and filter element will condition the water and add adequate levels of bacteria. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the PH filter element before returning it to the main tank.
Further, unless your Ich is really bad, I would suggest using garlic to cure Ich. I know some dont belive in it, but it has worked for me and I have seen it work for many others.
 
rapt0r32

rapt0r32

Member
And I forgot to add that the LS is out of my 125 that was up and running so should still have some Bact left in it ( is what I am thinking )
 
rapt0r32

rapt0r32

Member
Yea I read that as well... But what I thinking is that I would have to wait out a cycle. But if I use LS ( that has been used before) I should have little to no cycle. Now I could be wrong....
 
marine qa

marine qa

Member
Even with employing the hypo cure you may still have a problem with the LS. LS will not stay live w/out a certain level of salinity. However, I dont remember what salinity levels are neccessary for the hypo cure or in what salinity levels LS will remain living.
Despite that problem, if hypo salinity and/or garlic does not work you may want to use copper meds as a last resort and you would be forced to remove the LS before using these meds. A very nasty thought with sick fish in the tank.
I have used the HP/QT water preparation method I described in my first post and everything turned out well in the end.
Good Luck.
 
broomer5

broomer5

Active Member
For what it's worth Rapt0r32 - your case of wanting to set up a HT fast, would be the only time I would ever suggest to someone to use a product like Stress Zyme or Cycle ..... Bacteria in a bottle. It may help knock down any ammonia or nitrite that will be produced.
The leftover sand you have in a bucket if kept warm and wet, may contain living bacteria as well. But if the sand's been sitting in the bucket cold .... not sure.
 
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