new QT setup

educom · 01/05/2009, 05:02 PM

75 gallon, 20 gallon sump, 434 W total with 10,000K actinic and day lights (T5 HO), phosphate reactor and protein skimmer located in sump. One bubble tip anenome and one leather coral. No fish anymore - they all died of ich. Don't feel sorry for me; it was a great learning experience except for the emotional turmoil of my wife and kids watching our beloved (& named) fish die.

I'm a newbie, and fortunately I've already learned the hard way the value of having a QT. All of the relatively few fish I had died from ich and my DT is obviously contaminated with the parasite. So, I'll wait 6-8 weeks for the ich to starve and die in the DT since I can't treat it because it has LS, LR, and one coral. A good lesson learned early on, so I'm thankful. Anyway, moving forward I'm now ready to setup a 26 gallon QT I just purchased. Because everything from the DT is infected, I know I need to setup the new QT with new water, new filters, etc, and basically start the nitrogen cycle over again with the QT. Am I right so far?

I read on RC from some of the "real pro's" that I should only introduce one fish at a time to my QT, AND I should wait 6-8 weeks before moving from the QT to the DT. Assuming this is true and I will ultimately add about 6 or 7 small fish, this could take at least a year of operation of the QT. What I don't know is this - in light of the fact the QT will be up and running for about a year, to what extent does the QT need the have the same level of functionality as the DT? For example, do I need a protein skimmer for the QT or will frequent water changes be sufficient? If the latter, how much water should I change out and at what frequency? By the way, I use an RO, and I ensure the water temp and salinity match for all water changes.

Do I need a phosphate reactor or anything else? Any issues with filtration?

Any insight into getting this right the first time would be appreciated!

sasharotty · 01/05/2009, 05:32 PM

I use a 30 gallon tank.Nothing but flower pot in it,no live rock or sand.Just do frequent water changes matching salinity and temp.I do use a aquaclear hob filter.

01/05/2009, 05:02 PM	#1
educom Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Biloxi, MS Posts: 28	new QT setup 75 gallon, 20 gallon sump, 434 W total with 10,000K actinic and day lights (T5 HO), phosphate reactor and protein skimmer located in sump. One bubble tip anenome and one leather coral. No fish anymore - they all died of ich. Don't feel sorry for me; it was a great learning experience except for the emotional turmoil of my wife and kids watching our beloved (& named) fish die. I'm a newbie, and fortunately I've already learned the hard way the value of having a QT. All of the relatively few fish I had died from ich and my DT is obviously contaminated with the parasite. So, I'll wait 6-8 weeks for the ich to starve and die in the DT since I can't treat it because it has LS, LR, and one coral. A good lesson learned early on, so I'm thankful. Anyway, moving forward I'm now ready to setup a 26 gallon QT I just purchased. Because everything from the DT is infected, I know I need to setup the new QT with new water, new filters, etc, and basically start the nitrogen cycle over again with the QT. Am I right so far? I read on RC from some of the "real pro's" that I should only introduce one fish at a time to my QT, AND I should wait 6-8 weeks before moving from the QT to the DT. Assuming this is true and I will ultimately add about 6 or 7 small fish, this could take at least a year of operation of the QT. What I don't know is this - in light of the fact the QT will be up and running for about a year, to what extent does the QT need the have the same level of functionality as the DT? For example, do I need a protein skimmer for the QT or will frequent water changes be sufficient? If the latter, how much water should I change out and at what frequency? By the way, I use an RO, and I ensure the water temp and salinity match for all water changes. Do I need a phosphate reactor or anything else? Any issues with filtration? Any insight into getting this right the first time would be appreciated!

01/05/2009, 05:32 PM	#2
sasharotty Moved on to my couch Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: se michigan Posts: 1,065	I use a 30 gallon tank.Nothing but flower pot in it,no live rock or sand.Just do frequent water changes matching salinity and temp.I do use a aquaclear hob filter.