QT water changes - how often?

Diadado · 08/20/2009, 05:33 AM

I have a 29g QT tank set up. How often should I do a water change? Weekly or more frequently than that? I've had 4 small fish in it the past 36 hours and put Stability in.

kzickovich · 08/20/2009, 07:02 AM

I use my water from my DT to do water changes on the QT tank

sedor · 08/20/2009, 07:12 AM

You shouldn't have to change the water at all if nothing is in it, and when you do have livestock in the QT do water changes when you see ammonia starting to creep up. To be on the safe side every couple of days I would take 5 G from the display and change it out in the QT.

This is of course assuming you don't have anything in the QT besides water and some flow and maybe a sponge filter.

Diadado · 08/20/2009, 07:12 AM

I did that to fill it and I can use water from the DT to do the changes (only crabs/snails/shrimp in DT now). Just wondered if I should change it more frequently than once a week since it's small and there are multiple fish in it - I read something online last night that said it should be done every few days. Just wondering what the norm is. Thanks.

Diadado · 08/20/2009, 07:16 AM

In it there are 2 false percula, a bicolor angel, and 1 hippo tang. Each is 2" max.

Playa-1 · 08/20/2009, 07:34 AM

There are variables that need to be considered such as biological filtration. The best way is to monitor your water for Ammonia, pH and make regular small water changes. pH and Ammonia can be a challenge to manage in a QT. If you have a properly seeded biological filter in place in the QT and your not medicating in it, then you may only need to make water changes a couple times per week. On the other hand if there is no biological filter in place or your medicating then you might have to make daily water changes.

Brandon M · 08/20/2009, 09:26 AM

I do small 5-10% water changes on my QT tank every 2-3 days. I've been doing this for 1-2 years now with no problems. When doing your water changes do your best to vacuum the bottom and get as much uneaten food out as possible.

Good luck!

sedor · 08/20/2009, 09:30 AM

If you don't have any fish in your DT why QT? Its good practise anyways, but I don't think necessary.

Diadado · 08/20/2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ryandlf
If you don't have any fish in your DT why QT? Its good practise anyways, but I don't think necessary.

Because we didn't have a QT prior and the last 2 fish we bought came down with ich. The first one died Monday night, 10 days after purchase. I went out Tuesday and bought a QT and transferred the others that night (filled it with water from the DT and added Stability and Mardel Coppersafe). The second one died last night after 24 hours in QT with medication. Other fish not showing any signs of ich at this point. I'm leaving the DT empty of fish for 6 weeks so I have to have the others in QT during that time.

08/20/2009, 05:33 AM	#1
Diadado Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 164	QT water changes - how often? I have a 29g QT tank set up. How often should I do a water change? Weekly or more frequently than that? I've had 4 small fish in it the past 36 hours and put Stability in.

08/20/2009, 07:02 AM	#2
kzickovich Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Zion Il Posts: 959	I use my water from my DT to do water changes on the QT tank __________________ Ken Current Tank Info: 90 Gal mixed reef 55 Gallon basement pump up Sump 25 Gal fuge 2 Mp40 DIY led light fixture Bubble King Mini 200 Gen2 skimmer BRS Duel reactor

08/20/2009, 07:12 AM	#3
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	You shouldn't have to change the water at all if nothing is in it, and when you do have livestock in the QT do water changes when you see ammonia starting to creep up. To be on the safe side every couple of days I would take 5 G from the display and change it out in the QT. This is of course assuming you don't have anything in the QT besides water and some flow and maybe a sponge filter. __________________ Ryan

08/20/2009, 09:26 AM	#7
Brandon M Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,116	I do small 5-10% water changes on my QT tank every 2-3 days. I've been doing this for 1-2 years now with no problems. When doing your water changes do your best to vacuum the bottom and get as much uneaten food out as possible. Good luck! __________________ Brandon Current Tank Info: 315g 84"x24"x36" FOWLR

08/20/2009, 09:30 AM	#8
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	If you don't have any fish in your DT why QT? Its good practise anyways, but I don't think necessary. __________________ Ryan

08/20/2009, 07:16 AM	#5
Diadado Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 164	In it there are 2 false percula, a bicolor angel, and 1 hippo tang. Each is 2" max.

08/20/2009, 07:34 AM	#6
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	There are variables that need to be considered such as biological filtration. The best way is to monitor your water for Ammonia, pH and make regular small water changes. pH and Ammonia can be a challenge to manage in a QT. If you have a properly seeded biological filter in place in the QT and your not medicating in it, then you may only need to make water changes a couple times per week. On the other hand if there is no biological filter in place or your medicating then you might have to make daily water changes.