Safest way to add Powder Blue to my DT without QT?

[new180g]

All this info is invaluable! Thank you!

I had a boo-boo (nothing serious) with my new water for my water change on my DT (I had to throw it all out and start over), so consequently that messed up filling my new QT with saltwater from the DT. Just put me back a couple of days is all. Darn RODI is so SLOW at making new water for the water changes!
So, I will ask the owner of the LFS to hold my new PBT probably till Monday so my QT should be cycled enough by then.
I can't afford another skimmer for a little 16gal QT, so frequent water changes will have to do. I am now debating whether to keep it maintained or only on an as needed basis...

I am so looking foward to getting my new PBT! All this work to make sure he and my other fish are healthy better be worth it (I'm sure it will be).

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by New180g
All this info is invaluable! Thank you!

I had a boo-boo (nothing serious) with my new water for my water change on my DT (I had to throw it all out and start over), so consequently that messed up filling my new QT with saltwater from the DT. Just put me back a couple of days is all. Darn RODI is so SLOW at making new water for the water changes!
So, I will ask the owner of the LFS to hold my new PBT probably till Monday so my QT should be cycled enough by then.
I can't afford another skimmer for a little 16gal QT, so frequent water changes will have to do. I am now debating whether to keep it maintained or only on an as needed basis...

I am so looking foward to getting my new PBT! All this work to make sure he and my other fish are healthy better be worth it (I'm sure it will be).
You do not need a skimmer for the qt. If keeping the qt running is a problem after you qt this fish then just keep a few sponge filters in your DT, sump, or fuge. Once they are seeded you can add them to a qt and not have to cycle. You will get a few small spikes though when you use it again. They are small and easily taken care of with a few water changes. Out of curiosity, why did you have to throw your mixed water out?

 

[butters]

is having some crushed coral in the QT tank a bad idea to buffer PH?
ive got about 2 cups of it in a tupperware in my Qt to keep it up.

 

[new180g]

Well sepulatian....
The heater I use for my new mixed water is an extra one because the thermostat is screwed up. It tends to keep heating even past the setting I put it at (that's why I only use it for water change water). Sometimes it will shut itself off, sometimes it won't. This time it didn't and the water got to like 93.5 degrees...just a little too hot to put into the DT.
I thought I was smart to use this frozen gel pack to cool it down. Brilliant me? No. A few minutes later I stir it up a little then realize the gel pack had a little hole in it and had already started melting (because of the hellish hot water!) I figured some of the contents must've gotten into the water and I didn't want to risk adding it to my DT...most likely it would be poisonous to everything in the DT!
I was so irritated for having to do multiple things all over again, even backtracking on the QT set up, but always better safe than sorry...especially in this hobby! The water is ready again now, and I'm going to keep a good eye on the temp. Stupid heater!

 

[beth]

Originally Posted by butters
is having some crushed coral in the QT tank a bad idea to buffer PH?
ive got about 2 cups of it in a tupperware in my Qt to keep it up.
That's fine, and it will basically add surface space for needed bacteria colonies. CC is not a good option for display tank, though.

 

[beth]

New, if your heater's thermostat is defective, its time to toss it. It could very well be dangerous to you. Best to replace it.

 

[new180g]

I just have to ask: If I keep an eye on the temp of the water and just unplug the heater when it reaches the desired temp, why is it particularly dangerous to use this heater? BTW the part that is submersed is titanium rod and the thermostat is on the plugged-in part (meaning not submersible).
More question(s): I've read lots (probably not enough) of other posts and I keep getting conflicting info.
-Do I put 1-2 cups of LS from my DT into my new QT or not?
-LS on the bottom of the QT helps reduce reflectiveness, right?
-Do I put a LR in there or not?
-If I do put LS and a LR, they will interfere with possible medication use/effectiveness, correct?
-However it will kick-start the cycle, yes? (Which I need to do).
-Do I put the LS and LR in there to get the cycle going (plus some filter media and bioballs from the DT), then take them out if I ever have to medicate?
Once again...thanks for helping.

 

[new180g]

I just read Beth's long explanation of QT'ing in another thread. My previous questions are pretty much answered.
Put the LR and LS in for now to get it cycled. Should I just keep the LS in a bowl so I can take it out again easily? Then, once it's cycled...take out the LR and LS. Can I then put this LR and LS back into the DT? I can use the decor from when it was a freshwater tank to give whatever QT fish I have some security (I have a fake tree stump, little bridge thing, and 3 fake plants...all of which I washed with a white vinegar solution), I would probably just use the tree stump.
I guess the fake decor is ok to keep in a QT? Then if I ever need to use medication, I don't have to take anything out?

 

[butters]

Originally Posted by Beth
That's fine, and it will basically add surface space for needed bacteria colonies. CC is not a good option for display tank, though.

i have sand in my DT
i use CC in the filters of my chiclid tank to buffer PH and figured id do the same in my QT tank

 

[new180g]

I just wanted to update...in case anyone was interested. My PBT is at the lfs and he looks great, so far. I am going to pick him up this Monday to put in my QT, which has been set up since this past Wednesday. I wil test the QT water to make sure everything's ok and do a water change (using my DT water) before then.
I just want to say thanks again for all suggestions. I have paid attention and have done as advised.

 

[sepulatian]

You can add some sand to your qt. I have full sand in one of my qt's and just a scatter in the other. The qt with full sand was a home for my Falco for quite a few months. The other qt was set up and cycled within days uing sponge filters. I added some sand beause it was a diamond goby. I have a fuzzy dwarf in there now. Neither had ich but if they did then it would have been fine to hypo it. Here is a pic of the qt that my goby was in. I added the piece of rock after awhile because he needed somewhere to hide and he was not liking the fake decor. If he had a parasite then I could have added the rock to a bucket with a PH and heater for three weeks. Also, don't use faulty equipment. Heaters are not expensive and can cause devistation. Just pick up a new one.

 

[new180g]

Here are some pics of my QT. The filter is a Penguin 125 Bio-wheel. I bought a new bio-wheel filter part because the old one was used on my freshwater. I stuck some filter pad and about 7 bio-balls from my DT in there for now.
What do you think? Is there enough hiding space for my new PBT? Or should I put some fake decor in there, too?

 

[renogaw]

head to your local plumbing wholesaler and grab some 2" pvcdwv fittings--a coupling and a TY (sanitary tee) work well. or even see if they have some scrap 2" pvcdwv pipe. once your tank is cycled, you'll want to take that rock out because you will not be able to medicate or hypo with it in there.

 

[sepulatian]

As ren said, some pvc will work. I do not see a powerhead in there though.

 

[new180g]

The water circulates pretty well in there; enough to get all the areas of the tank moving. Do you think I need a powerhead as well?
Could I still use that LR only for the QT and if I have to medicate, temporarily take out the rock and sand? Or should I take out the LR (and sand?) completely and only put in fake decor?
What are your thoughts? Thanks! (I'm picking up the PBT tomorrow...! I'll post a pic of him when I get him in the QT)

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by New180g
The water circulates pretty well in there; enough to get all the areas of the tank moving. Do you think I need a powerhead as well?
Could I still use that LR only for the QT and if I have to medicate, temporarily take out the rock and sand? Or should I take out the LR (and sand?) completely and only put in fake decor?
What are your thoughts? Thanks! (I'm picking up the PBT tomorrow...! I'll post a pic of him when I get him in the QT)
Is that three pieces stacked on top of each other or one piece? The fish is likely to need to be treated. Some people just hypo right away before the fish shows signs of illness. I would pull the rock out before you add the fish. If it is three smaller pices, then you could probably leave one small piece in. Any life on the rock will die but the bacteria will live. Leave the sand there. We will love to see the pics. Be sure to keep the lights off in the qt for at least the first day. Let him get used to the tank before you start any treatment.

 

[new180g]

It is 3 pieces stacked, so maybe I'll leave the middle piece (and take it out if I use medicine). The one on top is REALLY little. The PBT will want places to hide, so should I put the fake decor?
And I will be sure to leave the lights off for the 1st day.

 

[new180g]

I just picked up my new PBT from the lfs, where he's been since last Thursday. Here he is still in his bag waiting to be released in the QT!

pH is 8.3
Nitrates are <10ppm
Temp is 78F
Should I add AmQuel Plus to prevent spikes once I put him in?
I decided to leave the LR that's in there and add a fake decor piece, so he has enough shelter spots. The LR is good for biological filtration and if I need to medicate, I will take the LR out. I don't see the need to medicate unless something shows up. So I hope all goes well! I'm going to drip acclimate (just like swf.com recommends and I have always done). I'm so excited!

 

[new180g]

 

[new180g]

So, yeah...the new PBT has Ich.

I've never done copper treatment or hyposalinity. I guess I'm leaning towards hypo. Looks like I have more reading to do.