Q-tank questions

virginiadiver69 · 02/10/2007, 08:06 PM

My main tank is cycling and I am about to set up my Q-tank and I have a few questions.

1) Should I use fresh mixed salt water or water from tank?

2) Assuming I use water from tank will new/fresh filter media be okay or should I let filter for my power filter "season" in my sump. If so, for how long to build bacteria?

3) can I leave a filter pad in sump all of the time so I can have one ready whenever I need one?

4) when Q-tank is operating with fish, should I run carbon or just filter pad?

5) are water changes done with fresh mixed or tank water?

I think that is it for now. I appreciate all answers.

Trilithon3 · 02/10/2007, 08:58 PM

This is what I do,
1) Fresh salt water to start.

2) I have a power filter running on my 'fuge so it's "seasoned" and ready to go. As soon as the tank is finished cycling, the filter is ready.

3) See 2

4) Depends on your quarantine method. If you are using any medications, you should not use carbon. If you are going the hypo-salinity way, carbon is fine.

5) Water changes are done with new saltwater. You'll acclimate the fish to your tank water when the quarantine period is over.

Hope this helps!

02/10/2007, 08:06 PM	#1
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Q-tank questions My main tank is cycling and I am about to set up my Q-tank and I have a few questions. 1) Should I use fresh mixed salt water or water from tank? 2) Assuming I use water from tank will new/fresh filter media be okay or should I let filter for my power filter "season" in my sump. If so, for how long to build bacteria? 3) can I leave a filter pad in sump all of the time so I can have one ready whenever I need one? 4) when Q-tank is operating with fish, should I run carbon or just filter pad? 5) are water changes done with fresh mixed or tank water? I think that is it for now. I appreciate all answers. __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

02/10/2007, 08:58 PM	#2
Trilithon3 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Around Here Somewhere Posts: 104	This is what I do, 1) Fresh salt water to start. 2) I have a power filter running on my 'fuge so it's "seasoned" and ready to go. As soon as the tank is finished cycling, the filter is ready. 3) See 2 4) Depends on your quarantine method. If you are using any medications, you should not use carbon. If you are going the hypo-salinity way, carbon is fine. 5) Water changes are done with new saltwater. You'll acclimate the fish to your tank water when the quarantine period is over. Hope this helps!