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09/18/2011, 01:28 PM | #1 |
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Posts: 633
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Need/Want Lesson on all things QT
I am currently cycling a 65 gal SW FOWLR tank. I need every bit of info about a QT because I can't quite grasp it. Not sure if it has to be cycled or what equipment is commonly used. unfortunately I only really have room for a 10 gallon tank for the QT which shouldn't be too bad because i'll only be buying small fish for the 65 gallon. Please I need every single bit of info!!
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09/18/2011, 01:38 PM | #2 |
RC Mod
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THere is controversy on that point. Here is the gist of it:
If you are qt'ing an angel or other film-eater, you need a cycled qt with live rock and you just hope they don't come down with ich. If you are qt'ing a fish that will eat fish food, you don't need a cycled qt and should NOT have live rock or sand, just a pvc elbow for hiding, and a floss filter you change every time you spot any stain. Reason: if you have to treat, it's easy. Treating a cycled qt means killing a lot of bacteria in the 'cycled' material, too, and that means a bioload of dead stuff, an impaired filter, and a real need to go very carefully. It's not optimum, but if you've got an angel with ich, you've got a real problem in that regard: it needs the cycled qt, but the antibiotic or the copper you have to use is slowly killing off the biofilter right when you need it. Copper is a poison: it kills appetite, and causes problems with the fish's organs, perhaps lasting ones, so it is a last resort; and some species do not tolerate it at all. Google the species with the word 'copper' to find out. Hypo (lowered salinity) is the answer with those species.
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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%. |
09/18/2011, 01:46 PM | #3 |
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09/18/2011, 01:53 PM | #4 |
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I dont plan to have Angels or Butterflies, only smaller fish. I think my main concern would be with Gobies and Blennies. Would they do well in an uncycled bare bottom tank ? So far I understand I just need a standard HOB filter, obviously small heater, any type of powerhead needed? PVC elbow of some size... and nothing else in it ? How often are you doing tests, waterchanges ETC
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09/18/2011, 02:35 PM | #5 |
RC Mod
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Most would. Check to see if they're eating at the store. Test 1 to 2x daily and have an ammonia badge (SeaChem). Also, go to the Fish Disease forum, and unpleasant as it is, learn to recognize and diagnose parasites and disease when it turns up.
Just as an FYI: blennies, gobies, and dragonets are generally very disease and parasite resistent, so you should not be having too much trouble. There are, however, compatibility issues with some blennies in a cramped space. The starry and tailspot are compatible. By recent report, the starry and the regal tang---are not. Gobies tend to fight their own kind. Two male yellows will fight to the death.
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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%. |
09/18/2011, 02:46 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 633
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How long should I have a fish in QT? Also where am I getting biological filtration from ? Should I use Chemipure in the HOB filter?
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