QT tanks

Fermat · 11/30/2006, 12:32 PM

I am considering on getting a QT tank. I've read a couple of articles, including the one in RKM.

Are most people running a QT tank full time? If so, what are you keeping in it, if anything? If not, are u using some form of biomedia that you pull from your main display tank when you need to run your QT?

Currently I have a 35g tank with 45 lb rock on sand and a HOB. (The sump w/ fuge will probably be next years upgrade.) I removed my bioweel after adding lr, so I currently have no biomedia that I could use when the need for a QT tank arises. Any recommendations for me? I was just given a used 10g glass.

imtheonlylp · 11/30/2006, 12:34 PM

there is some good mention about QT's in this thread:
QT thread

Fermat · 11/30/2006, 12:37 PM

Thanks. I'm also curious if people partition their QT if they get multiple fish/coral at the same time.

papagimp · 11/30/2006, 12:38 PM

You don't have to run it all the time, I use a sponge filter in my sump that i pull for QT usage when it's needed. If you wanted to keep it running all the time, could acclimate a molly (since there dirt cheap) and let it live it up in the tank by itself when nobodies around. Just be sure to remove it prior to QTing anything or you'll risk a sickly molly. If you partition it but still use the same water source for all (such as partitioning with eggcrate or something) then it's kinda a waste in my opinion, unless you were QTing an aggressive fish with a non agressive fish. otherwise no need to partition. The fish will appreciate the full 10g better than they would half that size.

Fermat · 11/30/2006, 03:26 PM

I don't have a sump. Could I stick a sponge filter to the bottom of my powerhead, and would this limit the flow too much? Also, would it add nitrates to my display tank?

Speaking of nitrates... If the QT tank only had a sponge filter, wouldn't nitrate build up since there is nothing to export it? Wouldn't this be a bad environment to quarantine coral and inverts?

Fermat · 12/01/2006, 02:03 PM

bump

papagimp · 12/01/2006, 02:29 PM

Fermat, it would be best to just use a sponge fitler as designed, with an airpump. Nitrates will build up in a QT tank, but that's why we do water changes. As for the display tank, the simple and small sponge filters are not going to affect the nitrate buildup like you would think. The majority of the filtration is going to be taken care off by your main filtrations devices (live rock, live sand) keeping the sponge in there will simply keep in colonized. Sure it will help filitering, but not like the rest does.

Fermat · 12/01/2006, 02:46 PM

Ok cool... I have an air pump already, so I can just get the sponge and get it started in my display tank.

So to quarantine inverts and coral, we just keep nitrate in check via frequent water changes?

papagimp · 12/01/2006, 03:06 PM

yup, frequent water changes

Fermat · 12/10/2006, 08:48 AM

If I have a 10g QT, should I get a sponge rated only for 10g? Would getting a sponge rated at 50g produce too much nitrate in my (35g) display tank?

I have a sponge filter for 50g, but wonder if I should get a smaller one instead to keep nitrate to a minimum.

1010 · 12/10/2006, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by papagimp
[B] could acclimate a molly (since there dirt cheap) /B]

what web site can i find cheap mollys?

I always here people say mollys is that a slang for goby. I know that there is a fresh water molly.

Fermat · 12/10/2006, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1010
what web site can i find cheap mollys?

I always here people say mollys is that a slang for goby. I know that there is a fresh water molly.

I believe Mollies are freshwater. Perhaps a peaceful yellowtail damsel will serve the same purpose? I've heard Damsels can get territorial and semi-aggresive when older, but my yellowtail has been peaceful as can be (so far).

Best to buy cheap fish from the lfs... Online they are not much less and you still need to pay for shipping.

kfowler · 12/10/2006, 04:04 PM

mollys can be kept in both fresh and salt. They haefv a very short acclimation period to salt and will do fine. Plus they eat algae.

Check your local Wal-Mart or any pet store.

1010 · 12/10/2006, 04:59 PM

at what salinity range?

11/30/2006, 12:32 PM	#1
Fermat Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pennsylvania, US Posts: 239	QT tanks I am considering on getting a QT tank. I've read a couple of articles, including the one in RKM. Are most people running a QT tank full time? If so, what are you keeping in it, if anything? If not, are u using some form of biomedia that you pull from your main display tank when you need to run your QT? Currently I have a 35g tank with 45 lb rock on sand and a HOB. (The sump w/ fuge will probably be next years upgrade.) I removed my bioweel after adding lr, so I currently have no biomedia that I could use when the need for a QT tank arises. Any recommendations for me? I was just given a used 10g glass.

11/30/2006, 12:34 PM	#2
imtheonlylp Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Columbus, Ga Posts: 465	there is some good mention about QT's in this thread: QT thread __________________ "Tomorrow is the only day that appeals to a lazy man" - Jimmy Lyons Current Tank Info: 75g glass, 20g sump/refugium, QueenTS200, CA2300 return pump, (2) AquaClear4000 powerheads

11/30/2006, 12:38 PM	#4
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	You don't have to run it all the time, I use a sponge filter in my sump that i pull for QT usage when it's needed. If you wanted to keep it running all the time, could acclimate a molly (since there dirt cheap) and let it live it up in the tank by itself when nobodies around. Just be sure to remove it prior to QTing anything or you'll risk a sickly molly. If you partition it but still use the same water source for all (such as partitioning with eggcrate or something) then it's kinda a waste in my opinion, unless you were QTing an aggressive fish with a non agressive fish. otherwise no need to partition. The fish will appreciate the full 10g better than they would half that size. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

12/01/2006, 02:29 PM	#7
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	Fermat, it would be best to just use a sponge fitler as designed, with an airpump. Nitrates will build up in a QT tank, but that's why we do water changes. As for the display tank, the simple and small sponge filters are not going to affect the nitrate buildup like you would think. The majority of the filtration is going to be taken care off by your main filtrations devices (live rock, live sand) keeping the sponge in there will simply keep in colonized. Sure it will help filitering, but not like the rest does. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

12/01/2006, 03:06 PM	#9
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	yup, frequent water changes __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

11/30/2006, 12:37 PM	#3
Fermat Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pennsylvania, US Posts: 239	Thanks. I'm also curious if people partition their QT if they get multiple fish/coral at the same time.

11/30/2006, 03:26 PM	#5
Fermat Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pennsylvania, US Posts: 239	I don't have a sump. Could I stick a sponge filter to the bottom of my powerhead, and would this limit the flow too much? Also, would it add nitrates to my display tank? Speaking of nitrates... If the QT tank only had a sponge filter, wouldn't nitrate build up since there is nothing to export it? Wouldn't this be a bad environment to quarantine coral and inverts?

12/01/2006, 02:03 PM	#6
Fermat Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pennsylvania, US Posts: 239	bump

12/01/2006, 02:46 PM	#8
Fermat Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pennsylvania, US Posts: 239	Ok cool... I have an air pump already, so I can just get the sponge and get it started in my display tank. So to quarantine inverts and coral, we just keep nitrate in check via frequent water changes?

12/10/2006, 08:48 AM	#10
Fermat Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pennsylvania, US Posts: 239	If I have a 10g QT, should I get a sponge rated only for 10g? Would getting a sponge rated at 50g produce too much nitrate in my (35g) display tank? I have a sponge filter for 50g, but wonder if I should get a smaller one instead to keep nitrate to a minimum.

12/10/2006, 04:04 PM	#13
kfowler Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,095	mollys can be kept in both fresh and salt. They haefv a very short acclimation period to salt and will do fine. Plus they eat algae. Check your local Wal-Mart or any pet store. __________________ Kevin "You cannot achieve what you are not willing to pursue." Current Tank Info: 20g Mixed Reef

12/10/2006, 04:59 PM	#14
1010 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Elgin Posts: 100	at what salinity range?