Seeding my QT filter media

chogendoorn · 02/01/2011, 02:32 PM

My tank has completed the initial cycle (as far as the bacteria goes anyways, diatoms showed up yesterday, Ammonia and Nitrite are 0, Nitrate at 5ppm) and I want to start to seed my QT filter media. I'm just wondering what might be a reasonable amount of time for bacteria to colonize the media if I just leave it in the sump? I was thinking around 2 weeks, anyone know if that's about right, or seems a bit too long, or not quite long enough?
Thanks!
Chris

Uncle Salty 05 · 02/01/2011, 03:09 PM

What kind of media is it?
If it is a sponge type filter with an air pump that is drawing oxygenated water through it 2-3 weeks should be enough.
If it is something else just passively sitting in your sump it will probably take longer. Say 4-5 weeks maybe.

chimmike · 02/01/2011, 03:16 PM

You don't need to do any of that to a QT honestly. Throw some saltwater in there, some PVC, get it up to temp and monitor the params and QT the fish

chogendoorn · 02/01/2011, 03:42 PM

It's definitely just a foam filter sitting there passively. I am aware that I could do it simply by monitoring and doing a WC when it is required, but I thought some extra bacterial help wouldn't hurt anything.

Indymann99 · 02/01/2011, 03:47 PM

If you have the time getting some extra bacteria in the QT always helps. I subscribe to the "dont medicate" unless you see something specific that needs medication.

Others pre-med with copper /other in which case adding the bacteria from your DT does no good.

Uncle Salty 05 · 02/01/2011, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chogendoorn

It's definitely just a foam filter sitting there passively. I am aware that I could do it simply by monitoring and doing a WC when it is required, but I thought some extra bacterial help wouldn't hurt anything.

If you are going to take the time to QT do it right. (I do not QT)
That means having a biological filter. Just putting a fish in a tank without a biological filter is going to subject the fish to varying amounts of ammonia and nitrite and bascially defeat the purpose of QTing in the first place.
Will the foam filter be in a power filter in the QT?
Having water flowing through the foam would be best if possible.

suds1421 · 02/01/2011, 09:01 PM

Get a way to force water through it and you will seed it faster.

chogendoorn · 02/01/2011, 09:13 PM

Yeah it will be in a power filter. What if I just ran the power filter on the DT for a couple weeks, I suppose that might do it huh?

suds1421 · 02/01/2011, 09:19 PM

If the return pump is isolated in your sump you could run it there if the water movement would be okay in that chamber.

SuperNemo · 02/01/2011, 09:30 PM

when i cycled my tank (all base rock/sand) i put in a couple of pieces of foam. when my DT finished cycling the foam was ready for my QT. you can run the power filter via the sump/DT to get the bacteria going.

if you do start the QT right away and not wait, get some Seachem Stability. it does help with the bacteria growth. i use it everytime i add fish to the QT to make sure the bacteria is adequate for the fish and do water changes accordingly.

Uncle Salty 05 · 02/02/2011, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chogendoorn

Yeah it will be in a power filter. What if I just ran the power filter on the DT for a couple weeks, I suppose that might do it huh?

Yes, that would be the best way.

chogendoorn · 02/02/2011, 09:10 AM

Thanks everyone for the help!

02/01/2011, 02:32 PM	#1
chogendoorn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada Posts: 34	Seeding my QT filter media My tank has completed the initial cycle (as far as the bacteria goes anyways, diatoms showed up yesterday, Ammonia and Nitrite are 0, Nitrate at 5ppm) and I want to start to seed my QT filter media. I'm just wondering what might be a reasonable amount of time for bacteria to colonize the media if I just leave it in the sump? I was thinking around 2 weeks, anyone know if that's about right, or seems a bit too long, or not quite long enough? Thanks! Chris

02/01/2011, 03:09 PM	#2
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	What kind of media is it? If it is a sponge type filter with an air pump that is drawing oxygenated water through it 2-3 weeks should be enough. If it is something else just passively sitting in your sump it will probably take longer. Say 4-5 weeks maybe. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

02/01/2011, 03:16 PM	#3
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	You don't need to do any of that to a QT honestly. Throw some saltwater in there, some PVC, get it up to temp and monitor the params and QT the fish __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

02/01/2011, 03:47 PM	#5
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	If you have the time getting some extra bacteria in the QT always helps. I subscribe to the "dont medicate" unless you see something specific that needs medication. Others pre-med with copper /other in which case adding the bacteria from your DT does no good. __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

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02/01/2011, 03:42 PM	#4
chogendoorn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada Posts: 34	It's definitely just a foam filter sitting there passively. I am aware that I could do it simply by monitoring and doing a WC when it is required, but I thought some extra bacterial help wouldn't hurt anything.

02/01/2011, 09:01 PM	#7
suds1421 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 121	Get a way to force water through it and you will seed it faster.

02/01/2011, 09:13 PM	#8
chogendoorn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada Posts: 34	Yeah it will be in a power filter. What if I just ran the power filter on the DT for a couple weeks, I suppose that might do it huh?

02/01/2011, 09:19 PM	#9
suds1421 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 121	If the return pump is isolated in your sump you could run it there if the water movement would be okay in that chamber.

02/01/2011, 09:30 PM	#10
SuperNemo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 524	when i cycled my tank (all base rock/sand) i put in a couple of pieces of foam. when my DT finished cycling the foam was ready for my QT. you can run the power filter via the sump/DT to get the bacteria going. if you do start the QT right away and not wait, get some Seachem Stability. it does help with the bacteria growth. i use it everytime i add fish to the QT to make sure the bacteria is adequate for the fish and do water changes accordingly.

02/02/2011, 09:10 AM	#12
chogendoorn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada Posts: 34	Thanks everyone for the help!