How do I cycle a QT tank?

smartang22 · 02/14/2007, 12:10 PM

I have a QT tank filled up, heated, perfect salinity and pH, with a simple filter. Most posts I read say that it can be bare bones and this is what I have. Does any one have any specific recommendations for this tank? I want the fish to be comfortable, but I don't want to sink a ton of money either (of course I will spend what needs to be spent in order to make the fish comfy). This will be the first fish for me so I want to do this right.

Also, how do you cycle a QT tank? I do not have live rock and I will not use another fish to cycle it either. I have heard of additives to use, but I would like to hear from the experienced group on RC. I am planning on getting a tank bred clownfish.

Thanks for the help!

SaltyDr · 02/14/2007, 12:26 PM

Does your QT filter have a filter pad? If it does, I have seen folks keep it in their sump/fuge so that it has the bacteria on it and is ready to go at a moments notice. If your other tank is up and running you could stick the filter pad in there for a week or so. You could also take a piece of cycled rock from you main tank and put it in the QT for a week and that should seed the filter pad or biowheel or whatever you have. Just return the rock to the tank before you add any fish to the QT. You could also cause a mini cycle with a piece of dead shrimp and cycle the filter that way for a couple of weeks. Hope that helps.

papagimp · 02/14/2007, 12:27 PM

I keep a bare bones QT tank and only set it up when I need to use it, otherwise it gets torn down and stored in the closet. For cycling, I keep a simple sponge filter in my sump, and stick that on the QT tank while it's in use. The filter is already colonized with enough beneficial bacteria to keep a fish or two comfortable for a few weeks.

I would recommend you invest in some PVC connectors and straight pipe pieces to give the fishies places to hide as they are apt to do when newly purchased and transplanted to a new tank.

SaltyDr · 02/14/2007, 12:28 PM

Forgot to add - wrap 3/4 of the tank in dark paper to help calm the fish a bit. That helps on their stress levels.

SgJsg35 · 02/14/2007, 01:14 PM

I have a 10gal. Qt I keep set up all the time. I used some rubble from my main tank to cycle. I just left the rubble in the QT because I had a ton of pods and they seem to be breeding in the rubble. Luckly I havnt had to put any copper or meds. in my QT. The pods seem to help the new fish by giving it a live food source while in quarantine.

02/14/2007, 12:10 PM	#1
smartang22 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portage, IN Posts: 191	How do I cycle a QT tank? I have a QT tank filled up, heated, perfect salinity and pH, with a simple filter. Most posts I read say that it can be bare bones and this is what I have. Does any one have any specific recommendations for this tank? I want the fish to be comfortable, but I don't want to sink a ton of money either (of course I will spend what needs to be spent in order to make the fish comfy). This will be the first fish for me so I want to do this right. Also, how do you cycle a QT tank? I do not have live rock and I will not use another fish to cycle it either. I have heard of additives to use, but I would like to hear from the experienced group on RC. I am planning on getting a tank bred clownfish. Thanks for the help!

02/14/2007, 12:27 PM	#3
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	I keep a bare bones QT tank and only set it up when I need to use it, otherwise it gets torn down and stored in the closet. For cycling, I keep a simple sponge filter in my sump, and stick that on the QT tank while it's in use. The filter is already colonized with enough beneficial bacteria to keep a fish or two comfortable for a few weeks. I would recommend you invest in some PVC connectors and straight pipe pieces to give the fishies places to hide as they are apt to do when newly purchased and transplanted to a new tank. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

02/14/2007, 01:14 PM	#5
SgJsg35 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Steeler Country Posts: 218	I have a 10gal. Qt I keep set up all the time. I used some rubble from my main tank to cycle. I just left the rubble in the QT because I had a ton of pods and they seem to be breeding in the rubble. Luckly I havnt had to put any copper or meds. in my QT. The pods seem to help the new fish by giving it a live food source while in quarantine. __________________ hadooun haqil khairun min sadiqin jaahil Current Tank Info: 50 gal.(50-60lbs LR) Eibl's Angelfish,Sixline Wrasse,Lunare Wrasse,Orchid Dottyback,Blacktail Dascyllus,Neon Goby,Banded Coral Shrimp,Emerald Crab,a few Snails & Hermits

02/14/2007, 12:26 PM	#2
SaltyDr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,191	Does your QT filter have a filter pad? If it does, I have seen folks keep it in their sump/fuge so that it has the bacteria on it and is ready to go at a moments notice. If your other tank is up and running you could stick the filter pad in there for a week or so. You could also take a piece of cycled rock from you main tank and put it in the QT for a week and that should seed the filter pad or biowheel or whatever you have. Just return the rock to the tank before you add any fish to the QT. You could also cause a mini cycle with a piece of dead shrimp and cycle the filter that way for a couple of weeks. Hope that helps.

02/14/2007, 12:28 PM	#4
SaltyDr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,191	Forgot to add - wrap 3/4 of the tank in dark paper to help calm the fish a bit. That helps on their stress levels.