QT whats in your set up (can we see to)

[amstar]

looking to set up a 30 gallon breeder tank as my QT tank. just looking for ideas of what others have

[das75]

Used a 33g as a QT. Just some 4" PVC fittings and short pipe pieces, heater, PH and a SS65 skimmer.

[amstar]

pvc for the fish to hide... got the heater, and a power head. didnt think about a skimmer.

do you run your qt 24/7

[amstar]

ttt

[Kieth71]

I am curious about this as well.I have read a few threads and people always say things like pvc and sponge filters but when i do it i always seem to be fighting ammonia and having to change water far to much especially when you add in the fact of trying to medicate a fish.I currently have a 20g long as a qt and keep a sponge in my sump for bacteria but it never seems enough.

[das75]

Though still always keep a block on foam in my sump, still have doubt's if enough to overcome the NH3. I've had first hand experience with the sudden rise in ammonia, that's why I picked up the skimmer.

Thought still have the 33g available, what I did last time for a Potters was just placed in my 20g macro/LR refugium. It's valved that I was able to isolate it from the display. I still used the SS65, heater and PH I've set aside for the 33g QT.

Figured if I did need to medicate I would just set up the 33g and remove the fish from the 20g fuge. Would depend on what I thought the fish had to how I would handle the 20g. If ich just run fallow before bringing back on-line, if something more seriuos would always just dump the contents.


The fuge showing the valves. Normally the one horizontal is full open, the one vertical controls the flow to the fuge. To isolate as a QT just close both.

[SaltyMember]

I use a 20 long with hang on powerfilter with sponge from main tank also. Yes, I always am fighting ammonia in the beginning. I think the sponge passively sitting in the sump doesn't seem to develop enough bacteria. Someone suggested i just run the hang on on the sump to get more flow on the sponge media. I think I am gonna try that next time.

[amstar]

so with those who are succesful what do you do to combat the ammonia

[das75]

well you can manage the ammonia with frequent water changes

[ordy1]

Great topic!

I'M leaning toward a 20 gallon with an Ehiem wet/dry canister filter, heater, and power head. One and two inch PVC littering the bottom. Add a dead cocktail shrimp once or twice a month to keep the bio filter seeded.

Anyone ever try this?

[amstar]

could you use a fluval for a filter

[ordy1]

Originally posted by amstar
could you use a fluval for a filter

You know, I don't see why not. My old 303 has three canisters. According to the instructions one section (the bottom one) holds ceramic media that act's as a pre filter and a place for bacteria to adhere to, the middle section can be used for carbon or other media, and the top section for a sponge filter. The sponge should serve as a great place for bacteria.

I don't know of anyone that has ever used a canister filter as a stand alone bio filter but the theory looks solid.

I've heard that you can cycle a tank with a cocktail shrimp. That's why I asked the previous question. My logic tells me that if you can cycle a tank with a cocktail shrimp you can maintain the bacteria colonies in your bio filter with a cocktail shrimp also. Or am I reading to much into that? I don't know.

Maybe some kind soul will chime in with the answer. Ohhhh kind souls................

[westmoorenerd]

Yes you can use a canister filter as a bio filter.... I used my Rena XP3 as one, you just have to make sure it doesn't become a nitrate factory.... the cocktail shrimp will work in both cases.

[amstar]

I was thinking that with three chambers it would work. would you make the first chamber live rock rubble, the second (since its a QT tank) I dont think I would want to use carbon. so in the other two chambers what would you put?

[westmoorenerd]

You could leave them empty or use some filter floss or more rubble... i just ran my XP3 with live rock rubble in the bottom, foam in the middle and filter floss at top.... i also had a ball of cheato in the QT just hanging out

[amstar]

or would it be better to have a hang n refigium (i have one laying around) as the filtration (macro-algae and some live rock rubble in it) with a maxi jet for water movement?

is live rock rubble a good idea if you have to medicate the tank though??

would it be better to just have the hang on run 24/7 with just macro algae in it then turn on the maxi jet when there is something actually in the QT tank?

by doing this wouldnt it keep the QT cycled all the time?

[amstar]

TTT

[Indymann99]

Simple 20g tank

I have been slowly stocking so my QT has been up for 6+ mo.

I do change out all the water between fish.

I find that I need to do a 25% water change every week to control ammonia. Typical QT for me has been 4 wks





I have PVC plumbed so that I can fill QT from Mix tank (rubbermaid) or from the DT. Also I have a small pump set at a level in the tank to easily pump out 25% for water changes.

I find the SeaChem amonia badge good for constant monitoring of ammonia.

[amstar]

good idea on the ammonia badge.