strategies for first cycle of DT/QT

LuizW13 · 06/30/2017, 09:30 PM

When you're starting a new build, which do you start cycling first, the DT or the QT? Can you cycle them in parallel? Should you cycle the DT and use some of that water to fill the QT? Can anyone outline some steps for us noobies??

JimON · 07/01/2017, 07:29 AM

Hi Luiz, I'd say whatever is ready to cycle should start. Why not?

LuizW13 · 07/01/2017, 03:01 PM

lol, thanks Jim!

Do you cycle the QT the same way as a DT, yes, right?

JimON · 07/01/2017, 03:20 PM

Yep, Ammonia--->Nitrite----> Nitrate. As long as you have this flow, it will work!

Sk8r · 07/01/2017, 03:43 PM

hook em up and let the system run. Add a micro pinch of flake food to the tank daily, and when test shows ammonia and then no-ammonia next day, do it five more days to be sure. Then you're cycled.

LuizW13 · 07/01/2017, 04:10 PM

Thanks guys!

I've read and watched plenty, but i just want to make sure i'm doing everything correctly.

I wish my checking account was as excited as i am right now

JimON · 07/01/2017, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuizW13

I wish my checking account was as excited as i am right now

I heard that.... You are not alone!

Sk8r · 07/01/2017, 04:36 PM

Lol---we ALL remember. Best thing to do while watching one hopeful little speck of life on a rock wave in the current is to start planning your fish (with due consultation of size/space requirements---don't push it! your fish will thank you) and acquiring your tests that follow the nitrate ammonia thing. [Alkalinity---and for stony reefs, calcium and magnesium) Before you buy fish, you can set up your qt tank...but first visit (shudder) the fish disease forum so you can learn what to watch out for while purchasing fish. There is NO reason why you can't buy some inverts to live in your qt tank right now, awaiting the day four weeks from now (usual) when they can move into your dt and a single!!!! fish can take up residence in the qt. It all will happen: if you research well, it will happen neatly and without problems.

LuizW13 · 07/02/2017, 10:37 PM

I should be cycling water by this weekend!

So if the inverts can be live in the qt for several weeks before moving into the DT, what do they eat? Wouldn't the QT be free of algae? If all i'm going to have in the qt is a an air stone and heater, i'll have to do frequent water changes to make sure the water is good- wouldn't that also keep the qt from growing invert food? I'm not even sure if that made sense lol

06/30/2017, 09:30 PM	#1
LuizW13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Under the sea Posts: 309	strategies for first cycle of DT/QT When you're starting a new build, which do you start cycling first, the DT or the QT? Can you cycle them in parallel? Should you cycle the DT and use some of that water to fill the QT? Can anyone outline some steps for us noobies??

07/01/2017, 07:29 AM	#2
JimON Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 221	Hi Luiz, I'd say whatever is ready to cycle should start. Why not? __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 90- Photon V2, Lifereef sump, fuge, and skimmer.

07/01/2017, 03:20 PM	#4
JimON Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 221	Yep, Ammonia--->Nitrite----> Nitrate. As long as you have this flow, it will work! __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 90- Photon V2, Lifereef sump, fuge, and skimmer.

07/01/2017, 03:43 PM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	hook em up and let the system run. Add a micro pinch of flake food to the tank daily, and when test shows ammonia and then no-ammonia next day, do it five more days to be sure. Then you're cycled. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

07/01/2017, 04:36 PM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Lol---we ALL remember. Best thing to do while watching one hopeful little speck of life on a rock wave in the current is to start planning your fish (with due consultation of size/space requirements---don't push it! your fish will thank you) and acquiring your tests that follow the nitrate ammonia thing. [Alkalinity---and for stony reefs, calcium and magnesium) Before you buy fish, you can set up your qt tank...but first visit (shudder) the fish disease forum so you can learn what to watch out for while purchasing fish. There is NO reason why you can't buy some inverts to live in your qt tank right now, awaiting the day four weeks from now (usual) when they can move into your dt and a single!!!! fish can take up residence in the qt. It all will happen: if you research well, it will happen neatly and without problems. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

07/01/2017, 03:01 PM	#3
LuizW13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Under the sea Posts: 309	lol, thanks Jim! Do you cycle the QT the same way as a DT, yes, right?

07/01/2017, 04:10 PM	#6
LuizW13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Under the sea Posts: 309	Thanks guys! I've read and watched plenty, but i just want to make sure i'm doing everything correctly. I wish my checking account was as excited as i am right now

07/02/2017, 10:37 PM	#9
LuizW13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Under the sea Posts: 309	I should be cycling water by this weekend! So if the inverts can be live in the qt for several weeks before moving into the DT, what do they eat? Wouldn't the QT be free of algae? If all i'm going to have in the qt is a an air stone and heater, i'll have to do frequent water changes to make sure the water is good- wouldn't that also keep the qt from growing invert food? I'm not even sure if that made sense lol