QT tank info
- Thread starter mapakids
- Start date
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mapakids http:///t/392940/qt-tank-info#post_3492538
Can someone please give me some info on how to start a QT tank, do i use main tank water. Do I need a light, filter, do I do water changes?
Any info would be helpful!
I use a 10g tank, and yes I took water from the main tank...kind of a water change sort of thing. There is not much good bacteria in the water. I usually keep a sponge or nylon stocking that I tied and cut off, stuffed with filement and carbon in the sump, and I remove that and place it in the HOB filter. If you don't have something seeded with good bacteria you will need to cycle the QT before it can be used.
Use a Whisper or penguin HOB filter and put either a plastic decoration or a piece of PVC in the tank to give the fish a hiding place to feel secure. No sand, a cheap light will help you see your fish better, but it's not really needed. I also run an air line (no stone) to help move the surface water instead of using a power head.
Always watch for ammonia, and if it spikes at all then I do a water change...(if the tank must cycle, let it runs it's course, and not change the water) with my sponge or filled nylon stocking, I never had a spike.... I use a test strip each day, just in case. If you have any macroalgae like caulerpa prolifera, you can add some of that to help keep the water pristine. It's easy enough to remove if you need to dose any medications (remove carbon if you have a sick fish to medicate)
I hope that's clear enough to understand....if not, keep asking.
Originally Posted by mapakids http:///t/392940/qt-tank-info#post_3492538
Can someone please give me some info on how to start a QT tank, do i use main tank water. Do I need a light, filter, do I do water changes?
Any info would be helpful!
I use a 10g tank, and yes I took water from the main tank...kind of a water change sort of thing. There is not much good bacteria in the water. I usually keep a sponge or nylon stocking that I tied and cut off, stuffed with filement and carbon in the sump, and I remove that and place it in the HOB filter. If you don't have something seeded with good bacteria you will need to cycle the QT before it can be used.
Use a Whisper or penguin HOB filter and put either a plastic decoration or a piece of PVC in the tank to give the fish a hiding place to feel secure. No sand, a cheap light will help you see your fish better, but it's not really needed. I also run an air line (no stone) to help move the surface water instead of using a power head.
Always watch for ammonia, and if it spikes at all then I do a water change...(if the tank must cycle, let it runs it's course, and not change the water) with my sponge or filled nylon stocking, I never had a spike.... I use a test strip each day, just in case. If you have any macroalgae like caulerpa prolifera, you can add some of that to help keep the water pristine. It's easy enough to remove if you need to dose any medications (remove carbon if you have a sick fish to medicate)
I hope that's clear enough to understand....if not, keep asking.
S
saxman
Guest
There's basically no nitrifying bacteria in the water column, so all using "old" water will do is add whatever pollutants have built up in your DT to your QT. I don't recommend it.
While running a cycled QT is best, you can run an uncycled QT, but it simply takes a bit more work on your part, as if the tank is uncycled, you must not let it cycle while in use, which means more water changes.
You don't really need a light, and in fact, most newbies should be kept a bit dimmer, as it stresses them less. However, you DO want to light the tank every so often so you can check the fish for parasites/illness.
QT's can be as basic as a 10 gal with an airline (the uncycled version) all the way up to a fully cycled/decorated tank that is kept running and "ghost fed" to maintain the cycle.
Here's a good little primer on various QT methods:
http://www.lionfishlair.com/qt/qt.shtml
HTH
While running a cycled QT is best, you can run an uncycled QT, but it simply takes a bit more work on your part, as if the tank is uncycled, you must not let it cycle while in use, which means more water changes.
You don't really need a light, and in fact, most newbies should be kept a bit dimmer, as it stresses them less. However, you DO want to light the tank every so often so you can check the fish for parasites/illness.
QT's can be as basic as a 10 gal with an airline (the uncycled version) all the way up to a fully cycled/decorated tank that is kept running and "ghost fed" to maintain the cycle.
Here's a good little primer on various QT methods:
http://www.lionfishlair.com/qt/qt.shtml
HTH
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mapakids http:///t/392940/qt-tank-info#post_3492547
Wow thanks guys I think I got it! I'm going to get one going soon...One last question how long will initial colonization take for the sponge before I can put it in the QT tank, for optimum results?
Hi,
I can only tell you what I do. To be honest I run a little sponge or tied off nylon bag with carbon and floss in my tank all the time, so I don't really know how long. I would think at least 2 weeks and two would be better than one. What Saxman said makes sense, because there really isn't any real bacteria in the water (bacteria likes to build on rocks and other surfaces) and I guess it would indeed have more pollutants in it since it's water that usually would be thrown out....Most floss after it's been in the tank will turn brown....that's the bacteria. A little DIY nylon sac of those bio beads would probably work even better...we usually rinse them 1X a month (in saltwater) to loosen junk off of it and yet keep the bacteria, so maybe 4 weeks.
I would let the QT run at least a week, or better two, with the bacteria loaded filter in place to give it chance to build...ghost feed it a little TINY bit each day. Don't forget to at least test with an ammonia strip each day.
I also want to commend you for deciding on starting a QT...it's a smart move, and will save you all kinds of grief.
Originally Posted by mapakids http:///t/392940/qt-tank-info#post_3492547
Wow thanks guys I think I got it! I'm going to get one going soon...One last question how long will initial colonization take for the sponge before I can put it in the QT tank, for optimum results?
Hi,
I can only tell you what I do. To be honest I run a little sponge or tied off nylon bag with carbon and floss in my tank all the time, so I don't really know how long. I would think at least 2 weeks and two would be better than one. What Saxman said makes sense, because there really isn't any real bacteria in the water (bacteria likes to build on rocks and other surfaces) and I guess it would indeed have more pollutants in it since it's water that usually would be thrown out....Most floss after it's been in the tank will turn brown....that's the bacteria. A little DIY nylon sac of those bio beads would probably work even better...we usually rinse them 1X a month (in saltwater) to loosen junk off of it and yet keep the bacteria, so maybe 4 weeks.
I would let the QT run at least a week, or better two, with the bacteria loaded filter in place to give it chance to build...ghost feed it a little TINY bit each day. Don't forget to at least test with an ammonia strip each day.
I also want to commend you for deciding on starting a QT...it's a smart move, and will save you all kinds of grief.
Hello, here is some basic info that you may find helpful:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/a/quarantine-or-hospital-tank
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/a/quarantine-or-hospital-tank