Setting up quarantine

Crazed · 06/01/2009, 12:16 PM

Hey, I just have a small question. I know a good way to get some beneficial bacteria into the QT is to let a sponge soak in the sump of the DT for a few days, then stick it into the QT. My question is that my DT has been up for 3 weeks, and I don't believe it's cycled fully (ammonia and nitrites never spiked with the LR - I'll be fixing that by adding raw shrimp soon). I'd like to get some fish into quarantine; can I use the tank water and the sponge method without the tank having fully cycled? Ammonia and nitrite are zero, nitrates are a bit higher (between 5-10). And of course I'll be doing water changes.

Thanks in advance.

EnglishRebel · 06/01/2009, 12:34 PM

If I were you I would just use fresh salt water and then use RO for top offs and fresh saltwater for water changes. Make sure you drip acclimate the fish to the DT when your tank has finished it's cycle then you can use tank water for water changes to slowly acclimate the fish to the DT.
OBTW Kudos for setting up a QT.

Crazed · 06/01/2009, 12:44 PM

Thank you.

So, you're saying forgo soaking the sponge in the DT altogether? If I have two fish in the QT, what %/day water changes should I be doing to prevent a cycle, or should it be less of a problem? I'll be using that sponge in a small sponge filter either way.

Thanks!

kikireef · 06/01/2009, 12:51 PM

+1 for EnglishRebel's idea

kikireef · 06/01/2009, 12:52 PM

Just be sure to test daily and have mixed water ready for an emergency water change if you need and I think you will be ok.

Crazed · 06/01/2009, 02:33 PM

Hmm, okay. So, is there any benefit to having the sponge filter get seeded by the DT, or is it detrimental, or what?

06/01/2009, 12:16 PM	#1
Crazed Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 292	Setting up quarantine Hey, I just have a small question. I know a good way to get some beneficial bacteria into the QT is to let a sponge soak in the sump of the DT for a few days, then stick it into the QT. My question is that my DT has been up for 3 weeks, and I don't believe it's cycled fully (ammonia and nitrites never spiked with the LR - I'll be fixing that by adding raw shrimp soon). I'd like to get some fish into quarantine; can I use the tank water and the sponge method without the tank having fully cycled? Ammonia and nitrite are zero, nitrates are a bit higher (between 5-10). And of course I'll be doing water changes. Thanks in advance.

06/01/2009, 12:34 PM	#2
EnglishRebel Retired Rebel Reefer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Triad NC Posts: 1,902	If I were you I would just use fresh salt water and then use RO for top offs and fresh saltwater for water changes. Make sure you drip acclimate the fish to the DT when your tank has finished it's cycle then you can use tank water for water changes to slowly acclimate the fish to the DT. OBTW Kudos for setting up a QT. __________________ Alan "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. " Sir Winston Churchill praising those young RAF pilots. August 20th 1940 Click on my name for drop down list and select "Visit EnglishRebels Home Page" for my build thread. Current Tank Info: 60x30x24 200G AO custom glass tank, basement equipment room, 30G and 55G Fuges, LifeReef sump & 30" skimmer.

06/01/2009, 12:51 PM	#4
kikireef Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chino at The Preserve Posts: 1,107	+1 for EnglishRebel's idea __________________ Keith SCMAS Member Tank Info: 120 gallon 48"x30"x20" Leemar Rimless. 2 MP40w, 1 MP10w, SROsss Skimmer, ATI Sunpower 8x54w, Neptune Apex Controller with WXM module. 2 BRS dosing pumps. Check my homepage for the build...

06/01/2009, 12:52 PM	#5
kikireef Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chino at The Preserve Posts: 1,107	Just be sure to test daily and have mixed water ready for an emergency water change if you need and I think you will be ok. __________________ Keith SCMAS Member Tank Info: 120 gallon 48"x30"x20" Leemar Rimless. 2 MP40w, 1 MP10w, SROsss Skimmer, ATI Sunpower 8x54w, Neptune Apex Controller with WXM module. 2 BRS dosing pumps. Check my homepage for the build...

06/01/2009, 12:44 PM	#3
Crazed Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 292	Thank you. So, you're saying forgo soaking the sponge in the DT altogether? If I have two fish in the QT, what %/day water changes should I be doing to prevent a cycle, or should it be less of a problem? I'll be using that sponge in a small sponge filter either way. Thanks!

06/01/2009, 02:33 PM	#6
Crazed Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 292	Hmm, okay. So, is there any benefit to having the sponge filter get seeded by the DT, or is it detrimental, or what?