Qt cycle

jock · 11/19/2014, 10:21 AM

Help a guy out.... I am obviously missing something. If I take a small piece of liverock from cycled tank (running about a year) and put a small internal filter with floss taking from cycled tank (in cycled tank about 3weeks), add a heater and some water from a water change..... Should I not have a ready cycled qt? That was 2days ago. About to put couple of fish in so I checked for ammonia and I am getting very small readings. It's not 0.25 but not quite 0.... How can this be?

Also if I add prime, is it true the ammonia will still register on api test kit? However, it will be harmless to fish?

2 fish need to stay in there 4 weeks minimum... Can I just add them but add prime until I read no ammonia? They kind of need to go in tonight :/ I will empty water and add new salt water but if tank isn't cycled it will just get ammonia again

Dmorty217 · 11/19/2014, 12:48 PM

How big is the QT,filter and how much filter floss? Yes it will instantly cycle the tank so to speak but the bio capacity will be minimum. If you add prime or any other ammonia detoxifier it will bind with the ammonia and render it harmless to the fish and inverts. It will still read on a test. Did you get the water checked from a second source to confirm the reading?

Dmorty217 · 11/19/2014, 12:50 PM

Also ammonia detoxifier will deplete O2 levels in the tank so point a powerhead toward the surface to maximize gas exchange

jock · 11/19/2014, 02:13 PM

It's just short of 10gal. Filter is a small internal but it's rated to to at least double qt. Floss was just what would fit in filter.

I understand it would have minimum bio capacity but this was before fish were even in it. Added a couple flakes to make sure I didn't get ammonia... But I did :/

jock · 11/19/2014, 02:15 PM

I will check my dt tank again as a comparison but I think it was accurate.

Cheers, will make sure I get plenty surface movement.

jock · 11/19/2014, 02:16 PM

In theory could I have fish in it for 6wks and just add prime each day? Not ideal but would it work?

jock · 11/19/2014, 02:16 PM

Weekly 30% water changes as well as prime be enough? Could even be 50% or more.

jock · 11/21/2014, 12:07 PM

So I changed just about all the water before putting couple of fish in and as I feared today I have the slightest detection of ammonia. Use an api test and tested both qt and dt at same time. Qt has the slightest green tint to colour whereas dt matches 0 reading colour. Qt is nowhere near the 0.25ppm that is next on colour chart after 0 but it's not 0 either.

Can anyone comment on me leaving a small goby and a small blenny in qt using prime daily for another 4 weeks?

11/19/2014, 10:21 AM	#1
jock Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 124	Qt cycle Help a guy out.... I am obviously missing something. If I take a small piece of liverock from cycled tank (running about a year) and put a small internal filter with floss taking from cycled tank (in cycled tank about 3weeks), add a heater and some water from a water change..... Should I not have a ready cycled qt? That was 2days ago. About to put couple of fish in so I checked for ammonia and I am getting very small readings. It's not 0.25 but not quite 0.... How can this be? Also if I add prime, is it true the ammonia will still register on api test kit? However, it will be harmless to fish? 2 fish need to stay in there 4 weeks minimum... Can I just add them but add prime until I read no ammonia? They kind of need to go in tonight :/ I will empty water and add new salt water but if tank isn't cycled it will just get ammonia again

11/19/2014, 12:48 PM	#2
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	How big is the QT,filter and how much filter floss? Yes it will instantly cycle the tank so to speak but the bio capacity will be minimum. If you add prime or any other ammonia detoxifier it will bind with the ammonia and render it harmless to the fish and inverts. It will still read on a test. Did you get the water checked from a second source to confirm the reading? __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

11/19/2014, 12:50 PM	#3
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	Also ammonia detoxifier will deplete O2 levels in the tank so point a powerhead toward the surface to maximize gas exchange __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

11/19/2014, 02:13 PM	#4
jock Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 124	It's just short of 10gal. Filter is a small internal but it's rated to to at least double qt. Floss was just what would fit in filter. I understand it would have minimum bio capacity but this was before fish were even in it. Added a couple flakes to make sure I didn't get ammonia... But I did :/

11/19/2014, 02:15 PM	#5
jock Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 124	I will check my dt tank again as a comparison but I think it was accurate. Cheers, will make sure I get plenty surface movement.

11/19/2014, 02:16 PM	#6
jock Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 124	In theory could I have fish in it for 6wks and just add prime each day? Not ideal but would it work?

11/21/2014, 12:07 PM	#8
jock Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 124	So I changed just about all the water before putting couple of fish in and as I feared today I have the slightest detection of ammonia. Use an api test and tested both qt and dt at same time. Qt has the slightest green tint to colour whereas dt matches 0 reading colour. Qt is nowhere near the 0.25ppm that is next on colour chart after 0 but it's not 0 either. Can anyone comment on me leaving a small goby and a small blenny in qt using prime daily for another 4 weeks?