Q: about cycle in a QT tank

Waxxiemann · 06/06/2006, 04:29 PM

Hey people,

I'm in the process of getting my QT tank set up and running and I have a question.

The tank is a 20 gallon. All I am running is a Fluval 304 on it.

I am going to use a sponge that I have had cooking in my sump to get the cycle going.

How do I maintain the levels if there is going to only be a fish in there once in a long while?

Waxxiemann · 06/06/2006, 04:31 PM

you know what I mean? like, I want to have it available and ready for whenever I get a new fish.

Should I just throw some fish food in there every once in a while?

nyvp · 06/06/2006, 05:28 PM

with the bacteria in the sponge you basicly have your bio filter started and it will grow with the added load as you add fish

littlemannin · 06/06/2006, 05:37 PM

I've heard that throwing a pinch of food a day in will keep it going. But Don't add a damsel like some do. It will end up beating the heck out of your new or sick fish.

Waxxiemann · 06/06/2006, 06:04 PM

great, thanks.

poppin_fresh · 06/06/2006, 06:15 PM

I would use it when needed, then empty and clean it and put a new sponge in the sump for next time. You dont need to keep it running all the time. Besides... it should be a good amount of time before you add another fish.

Waxxiemann · 06/06/2006, 06:19 PM

doesn't the cycle take a month though? It seems like a huge amount of work to do it that way. It's a wonder why people don't use QT tanks if that is the case.

poppin_fresh · 06/06/2006, 06:30 PM

The sponge will provide bacteria to break down ammonia. Small to moderate amounts of nitrite and nitrate are not harmfull to most fish. Regular small water changes should keep everything from getting too out of whack.

Many very experienced hobbiest pull their QT out of storage, fill it with tank water, add an aged sponge and add the fish.

Waxxiemann · 06/06/2006, 06:34 PM

Oh, ok. that makes more sense. Thanks, dude.

06/06/2006, 04:29 PM	#1
Waxxiemann Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 2,364	Q: about cycle in a QT tank Hey people, I'm in the process of getting my QT tank set up and running and I have a question. The tank is a 20 gallon. All I am running is a Fluval 304 on it. I am going to use a sponge that I have had cooking in my sump to get the cycle going. How do I maintain the levels if there is going to only be a fish in there once in a long while? __________________ "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein

06/06/2006, 04:31 PM	#2
Waxxiemann Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 2,364	you know what I mean? like, I want to have it available and ready for whenever I get a new fish. Should I just throw some fish food in there every once in a while? __________________ "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein

06/06/2006, 06:04 PM	#5
Waxxiemann Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 2,364	great, thanks. __________________ "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein

06/06/2006, 06:15 PM	#6
poppin_fresh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,982	I would use it when needed, then empty and clean it and put a new sponge in the sump for next time. You dont need to keep it running all the time. Besides... it should be a good amount of time before you add another fish. __________________ PBITAWA! Current Tank Info: None now. Past- 180g w/ 100g basement sump and 20g 'fuge. H & S skimmer, T'5s & Tunze

06/06/2006, 06:19 PM	#7
Waxxiemann Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 2,364	doesn't the cycle take a month though? It seems like a huge amount of work to do it that way. It's a wonder why people don't use QT tanks if that is the case. __________________ "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein

06/06/2006, 05:28 PM	#3
nyvp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hollywood Florida Posts: 3,633	with the bacteria in the sponge you basicly have your bio filter started and it will grow with the added load as you add fish

06/06/2006, 05:37 PM	#4
littlemannin Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 276	I've heard that throwing a pinch of food a day in will keep it going. But Don't add a damsel like some do. It will end up beating the heck out of your new or sick fish.

06/06/2006, 06:30 PM	#8
poppin_fresh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,982	The sponge will provide bacteria to break down ammonia. Small to moderate amounts of nitrite and nitrate are not harmfull to most fish. Regular small water changes should keep everything from getting too out of whack. Many very experienced hobbiest pull their QT out of storage, fill it with tank water, add an aged sponge and add the fish. __________________ PBITAWA! Current Tank Info: None now. Past- 180g w/ 100g basement sump and 20g 'fuge. H & S skimmer, T'5s & Tunze

06/06/2006, 06:34 PM	#9
Waxxiemann Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 2,364	Oh, ok. that makes more sense. Thanks, dude. __________________ "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein