QT Tank - What to put in it when its sitting around?

[sov82]

Im setting up a Quarantine Tank. Should I put in a sand substrate or just leave it empty? Do I have to run the heater/bubbler/light like I would any normal tank or can I just turn it on when I need it? Should I put in any clean up crew critters at all?
Thanks in advance.

 

[crm13]

I just have a few emerald crabs in there. I actually used them to cycle the tank when I first set it up about 6 months ago. I just let the algae grow in there so that they can use that for food, and throw some algae/spirulina based food in there like every few days or so. When I change out the water in my reef tank, I do the qt as well, and put some of the water from my reef tank in there to try and keep them close in terms of water conditions. It's a bare bottom tank, however, I did use a few pieces of base rock (arogonite) just to kind of help with keeping the buffer at a good point to avoid fluctuations in pH since it is only a 10 gallon tank.

 

[sailfin]

I leave mine completely dry until I need it. Put water from my display in my QT. This serves a dual purpose, a water change in the display and ensure that the display's and QT's parameters are identical. I use PVC pipe for their habitat. Other than that there's nothing to it.

 

[sailfin]

Been doing it this way w/o any losses. I only QT for about a week unless the fish looks stressed. Maybe it doesn't have time to cycle enough to hurt the fish? Thanks for the advise.

 

[crm13]

Just a thought, but if you just qt them for a week, that's kind of like adding extra stress for no reason. I always thought that unless you qt them for at least three weeks, you really aren't doing the fish, or the display any favors... just my thoughts.