QT tank filter ?

[hammerhed7]

I don't know where to post this with all the new categories so I will stick with my aggressive friends.
I am in the process of getting a new QT tank, and I will be using an old emporer 280 biowheel as the filter. I have heard people say the just toss the biowheel into the sump of their DT, and the put it in the filter on the QT when they fill it for use. Question is will just floating the biowheel in the sump maintain enough beacteria to filter the QT? Or do you have to run the biowheel filter on the sump? I am trying to avoid having my QT running all the time as I have not purchased fish in some time, and if I can avoid running the filter on the sump that it also one less thing to maintain. Of course the wheel would be sanitized after each use.
Thanks.
Jim

 

[ironeagle2006]

Actually get a Sponge filter one of those air operated ones. That way you an clean it out fully then put it into the sump without a problem. I am also setting up a QT tank with my 300 and also running a UV unit also to combat anything that does get through also. Unless you are going to have a Mandrain or something else that eats Pods you can get away with a UV sterilizer.

 

[aquaknight]

Yea, Bio-Wheels have to be functioning for them to keep the bacteria. It's sponge filters that can be just tossed in the sump. I feel save recommending about 2-3 weeks for them to get going.
I would avoid the use of UV's in QTs personally. All they will do is potentially mask any diseases the fish might have for it's abbreviated stay in QT. If my fish has Ich, I want to know about it and properly treat it.

 

[florida joe]

Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/2619650
Yea, Bio-Wheels have to be functioning for them to keep the bacteria. It's sponge filters that can be just tossed in the sump. I feel save recommending about 2-3 weeks for them to get going.
I would avoid the use of UV's in QTs personally. All they will do is potentially mask any diseases the fish might have for it's abbreviated stay in QT. If my fish has Ich, I want to know about it and properly treat it.
No sure what functioning means but what you can do is zip tie a piece of pvc pipe to the bio wheel filter and sink it into your sump the nitrifying bacteria will continue to colonize on it and when your ready to set up you QT again just put the wheel back in and dose with a product like Prime to give it a boost

 

[sepulatian]

If you do not keep your qt running then be sure to ghost feed it and watch for spikes before you add a fish. Even with a sponge filter or bio-wheel that is seeded it is likely to have a mini cycle.

 

[florida joe]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2619680
If you do not keep your qt running then be sure to ghost feed it and watch for spikes before you add a fish. Even with a sponge filter or bio-wheel that is seeded it is likely to have a mini cycle.
do you mean if you dont keep your filter running

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2619800
do you mean if you dont keep your filter running

Some people tear down their tanks instead of keeping it running. What did I loose you on Joe?

 

[florida joe]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2619928
Some people tear down their tanks instead of keeping it running. What did I loose you on Joe?

Sooooooooooo when I tear down my QT I assume I have no water in it do I just throw the ghost food in the bottom of the waterless tank and store it there

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2619939
Sooooooooooo when I tear down my QT I assume I have no water in it do I just throw the ghost food in the bottom of the waterless tank and store it there
HAHA! You know what I meant. AFTER the water is in and you add your seeded bacteria source, then ghost feed it and wait for spikes. Some people assume that it is an "instant" cycle, that is not always the case.

 

[florida joe]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2620024
HAHA! You know what I meant. AFTER the water is in and you add your seeded bacteria source, then ghost feed it and wait for spikes. Some people assume that it is an "instant" cycle, that is not always the case.
The ever Teflon lady so slippery when wet

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/2619650
Yea, Bio-Wheels have to be functioning for them to keep the bacteria. It's sponge filters that can be just tossed in the sump. I feel save recommending about 2-3 weeks for them to get going.
I would avoid the use of UV's in QTs personally. All they will do is potentially mask any diseases the fish might have for it's abbreviated stay in QT. If my fish has Ich, I want to know about it and properly treat it.
I agree. IMO; UV is way over-rated as a parasite preventer. If you fully understand the life-cycle of ich-type parasites, this becomes more obvious. The only thing UV kills are the bugs that pass through it. The chances of an ich bug passing thru the UV before it finds a host are small...and all it takes is one to keep the cycle going. I personally think UV can do more harm than good, because it gives folks a false sense of security. IMO, the only thing UV does well is help control algae; that's why its so popular in ponds.I know there are plenty of opposite opinions; and I respect those as well.
On the bio-wheel; as long as there is good flow thru the sump, the bacteria should thrive. I keep a couple of Aqua-Clear sponges in a sump and just dry them in the sun after I QT a fish, I don't ghost feed my QT; but the cycled sponge works like a charm.

 

[hammerhed7]

I could also go the sponge route, I don't want to keep my qt running constantly, I am going to be setting up another tank in the near future and I want to start cycling my qt filter now so I can QT while the new tank cycles, however It has been almost a year since I have added any fish to my tanks, and after the new one is stock I would expect not to be adding again but I would like to keep a filter cycled in case I need the QT as a hospital.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by Hammerhed7
http:///forum/post/2621903
I could also go the sponge route, I don't want to keep my qt running constantly, I am going to be setting up another tank in the near future and I want to start cycling my qt filter now so I can QT while the new tank cycles, however It has been almost a year since I have added any fish to my tanks, and after the new one is stock I would expect not to be adding again but I would like to keep a filter cycled in case I need the QT as a hospital.

Sure; effortless and cheap, what a great combination.