Quote:
Originally Posted by
gcgrad http:///forum/thread/383014/officially-joined-the-hobby-today/320#post_3397767
Thanks Corey! Quick question though. I'm setting up my QT and was planning on adding my first fish to it this weekend. The QT is not cycled, and I was soon to do a water change on my DT. Should I use the water from my DT as the water for my QT instead of using new saltwater for the QT? I plan to check the parameters of the QT daily but hadn't considered cycling the QT. My DT has been cycled with ammonia 0, nitrites 0, and nitrates 5. Think if I do this and keep good flow that I won't have a problem?
As with most I would say it's best to cycle first and be patient. There are ways to help speed up the process, however. If you don't mind sacrificing a piece or two of rock from the display that already has bacteria growing you can use that. Also, with whatever type of filter you are going to run on it, if you take some filter media and run it in the display for a couple of days to gain some bacteria and then transfer it to your filter would help as well.
If after the quarantine process is done and you feel confident that your fish does not have any unwanted parasites or disease then you can add the rock back to the display when you're done. If you find the fish has contracted some type of disease while in quarantine then you'll have to take the rock out and let it dry out for about a good week or two before you can add it back to the display safely. Never add rock back to your tank that has been treated with medication. I'm sure you've read up by now on what to do if you do run into a disease type problem. If not then you should.
There are also products out there like Prime, Amquel +, Aqua Safe...etc. that are ammonia removers that can be used in a pinch. That along with daily testing and or water changes it can be done. It's not necessarily the least stressful way to purchase a new fish though so not really recommended.
Water from your display (if your tests confirm is safe) can be used. It doesn't really harbor any good bacteria but since it's already aged it would be a little better than fresh new saltwater.
