qt tank

block head · 03/19/2008, 09:09 AM

is a week long enough to cycle a qt tank? have a ten g with a new hob filter running for a week with some shrimp flakes in it.

kevin2000 · 03/19/2008, 09:24 AM

No ... but on the bright side you really don't need to have a cycled QT ... you can maintain water quality by changing the water which is no big deal in a small tank.

In the future you should consider maintaing some extra bio filter media (sponge filter media works well) inside your show tank sump or tucked behind your live rock. After a few weeks that filter media will collect beneficial bacteria and when placed in your QT HOB filter you will have instant cycled QT.

Hope this helps.

eisaiasjr · 03/19/2008, 09:25 AM

Tanks usually take 5-6 weeks to cycle, normally...

I would suggest you do 1 of the following things.

a) Use Media from your main tank: Add bioballs, sponges or whatever biological filter (not live rock) from your main tank in your QT.

b) Buy a packet of bacteria from your LFS: There are many products out there that will "instant cycle" your tank, it usually comes in little packets that you find in the refrigirated are of your LFS and you simply add this to your tank (wait 24 or 48 hours) and then you are ready to go.

c) wait for a full cycle: You can do your standard cycling process like everyone usually does it. takes long, but its free

Regards,

Estefano

03/19/2008, 09:09 AM	#1
block head Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: spencerport ny Posts: 2,619	qt tank is a week long enough to cycle a qt tank? have a ten g with a new hob filter running for a week with some shrimp flakes in it.

03/19/2008, 09:24 AM	#2
kevin2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,805	No ... but on the bright side you really don't need to have a cycled QT ... you can maintain water quality by changing the water which is no big deal in a small tank. In the future you should consider maintaing some extra bio filter media (sponge filter media works well) inside your show tank sump or tucked behind your live rock. After a few weeks that filter media will collect beneficial bacteria and when placed in your QT HOB filter you will have instant cycled QT. Hope this helps.

03/19/2008, 09:25 AM	#3
eisaiasjr Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miami Beach, FL Posts: 421	Tanks usually take 5-6 weeks to cycle, normally... I would suggest you do 1 of the following things. a) Use Media from your main tank: Add bioballs, sponges or whatever biological filter (not live rock) from your main tank in your QT. b) Buy a packet of bacteria from your LFS: There are many products out there that will "instant cycle" your tank, it usually comes in little packets that you find in the refrigirated are of your LFS and you simply add this to your tank (wait 24 or 48 hours) and then you are ready to go. c) wait for a full cycle: You can do your standard cycling process like everyone usually does it. takes long, but its free Regards, Estefano