i like fish
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I plan on keeping my QT up all the time. Is there any docile fish I could keep in there all the time so I have something to look at? Maybe something that I could not keep in a reef.
QT tank question
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Honestly, I'd recommend not doing that.
The QT is a place for new fish, who potentially have diseases, to come in, recoup, relax, unwind, and get treated as necessary. If you have a single fish in the tank, that fish is going to get used to being alone. It won't take too kindly to additions. And, you also don't want to expose it to diseases and medication treatments. New fish need peace and quiet while in QT. They don't need stress from other fish.
The QT is a place for new fish, who potentially have diseases, to come in, recoup, relax, unwind, and get treated as necessary. If you have a single fish in the tank, that fish is going to get used to being alone. It won't take too kindly to additions. And, you also don't want to expose it to diseases and medication treatments. New fish need peace and quiet while in QT. They don't need stress from other fish.
i like fish
Member
I knew you would say that 
If I do keep it set up asll the time, what keeps the system alive? If there is no extra food or fish waste for the bacteria to eat, won't the bacteria die? Should I just keep a chunk of shrimp in it when there are no fish?
I'm really not trying to start a fight, but wouldn't taking a fish out of a community tank at a store and then putting it in solitary confinement also cause stress?
If I do keep it set up asll the time, what keeps the system alive? If there is no extra food or fish waste for the bacteria to eat, won't the bacteria die? Should I just keep a chunk of shrimp in it when there are no fish?
I'm really not trying to start a fight, but wouldn't taking a fish out of a community tank at a store and then putting it in solitary confinement also cause stress?
You can seed the fishless QT by placing filter media that has been in your display for a wk or 2 in the QT. For instance, I have an Eclipse QT with a Fluval underswater filter. Both have pads. So, I leave my pads in my display for a week, then move it over to the QT. You can also use raw shrimp every wk or so.
Unless you have schooling fish, such as green chromis, that just don't fare well alone, a newly acquired fish that you get from the LFS will have no problems being alone. In fact, it would be a relief. No territory to fight over, no food to compete for, no bully to fend off.
QT should be a "vacation" of sorts for a new fish. A time to relax and get healthy for it impending future, permanent home.
Unless you have schooling fish, such as green chromis, that just don't fare well alone, a newly acquired fish that you get from the LFS will have no problems being alone. In fact, it would be a relief. No territory to fight over, no food to compete for, no bully to fend off.
QT should be a "vacation" of sorts for a new fish. A time to relax and get healthy for it impending future, permanent home.
i like fish
Member
Should I run a protein skimmer? I have one already that I could use.