How to cycle a QT tank quickly

sfboarders · 11/03/2009, 01:01 PM

I have some fish that need to go into a QT. I have a 20 gallon ready to be setup for QT. What's the best way to have the QT cycle quickly? I have a filter pad in my sump that's been there since my tank has been cycling. Can I use that and add 1/2 DT water and 1/2 new water to the QT to get the cycle going?

billdogg · 11/03/2009, 01:44 PM

I like to use 100% DT water for my QT - th en change 10 - 20 % daily in the QT as well - a great excuse to do WC's in the DT! The filter pad is cycled, so if you go that route, you will be good to go.

Iron Mike · 11/03/2009, 01:53 PM

X2 100% DT water is the best way to go.

sfboarders · 11/03/2009, 01:57 PM

So it sounds like I can throw the pad in the QT and put 100% DT water and the fish there and I'm good to go?

sfboarders · 11/03/2009, 01:58 PM

So it sounds like I can throw the pad in the QT and put 100% DT water and the fish there and I'm good to go?

BANANAHANDS · 11/03/2009, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfboarders

So it sounds like I can throw the pad in the QT and put 100% DT water and the fish there and I'm good to go?

Yup! That should provide more than enough beneficial bacteria. Good luck!

sfboarders · 11/03/2009, 02:55 PM

One more question. I don't need to acclimate them to the QT do I?

Iron Mike · 11/03/2009, 02:59 PM

Not if they are coming out of you DT. Same water just dont let them be exposed to the air to long.

kelrn98 · 11/03/2009, 03:13 PM

Be sure to monitor your ammonia levels closely. And keep some freshly mixed saltwater in the event that you have to do an expedient water change. If your ammonia rises, do at least 50% water change of QT and replace it from your DT and then your DT gets fresh saltwater! I just set up a QT for my new fish 5 days ago, today is the 2nd day with no ammonia!! I had to do 3 water changes this week, wheh!

sfboarders · 11/03/2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelrn98

Be sure to monitor your ammonia levels closely. And keep some freshly mixed saltwater in the event that you have to do an expedient water change. If your ammonia rises, do at least 50% water change of QT and replace it from your DT and then your DT gets fresh saltwater! I just set up a QT for my new fish 5 days ago, today is the 2nd day with no ammonia!! I had to do 3 water changes this week, wheh!

So basically get water from my DT when doing water changes with the QT? The ich parasite won't be transferred over? How often should I check for ammonia? Everyday?

wooden_reefer · 11/03/2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfboarders

I have some fish that need to go into a QT. I have a 20 gallon ready to be setup for QT. What's the best way to have the QT cycle quickly? I have a filter pad in my sump that's been there since my tank has been cycling. Can I use that and add 1/2 DT water and 1/2 new water to the QT to get the cycle going?

The seed and waste method using a wet-dry setup, in a separate container if necessary, is the fastest way to cycle.

Get bacteria seed and add a few pulses of ammonia source. Circulate well.

Wet-dry has the best gaseous exchange.

Cycle is about three weeks most of the time.

If the cycle is well done (in the QT or you transfer the cycled medium to the QT), it is generally not necessary to change any water during the eight weeks of QT for fish. If you have many fish in QT, you may want to do WC once in the fifth week during QT against ich.

I seldom if ever have to change water except at the tail end of QT, for example.

kelrn98 · 11/03/2009, 09:46 PM

I personally would monitor ammonia levels once a day until you are sure that you aren't getting spikes. It's the safe thing to do for your fish.

jenjen · 11/04/2009, 01:19 AM

You may also want to get an ammonia alert strip to put in the tank. I always keep one in my QT and currently have one in a new tank I recently set up. They're not 100% and you still want to do tests, but I've yet to see ammonia on a test and not have seen a reading on the ammonia alert. They're cheap (around $7) and give you added peace of mind.

wooden_reefer · 11/04/2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelrn98

I personally would monitor ammonia levels once a day until you are sure that you aren't getting spikes. It's the safe thing to do for your fish.

I used to test for ammonia in QT frequently decades ago. I have tested enough for ammonia in QT in the past and have already faith that it will be zero.

Now I no longer test for ammonia frequently in QT for fish except once after a few days. If you have done cycling and transfer of cycled material to QT correctly, if applicable, and your setup is correct especially with wet-dry, there will be no ammonia. Exception, very important one, is if I have put a drug in QT that may affect nitrification.

It seems to me that wet-dry almost never clogs. Water is pulled into the interior of the filter medium. It has to do with surface tension.

In a reef tank DT, the livestock is too varied and dead livestock cannot always be found. In QT for fish, this is not true.

If your setup and condition are correct, nitrification bacteria will work for you always, if not affected by a drug..

IME

11/03/2009, 01:01 PM	#1
sfboarders Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: 808 State Posts: 1,356	How to cycle a QT tank quickly I have some fish that need to go into a QT. I have a 20 gallon ready to be setup for QT. What's the best way to have the QT cycle quickly? I have a filter pad in my sump that's been there since my tank has been cycling. Can I use that and add 1/2 DT water and 1/2 new water to the QT to get the cycle going?

11/03/2009, 01:44 PM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I like to use 100% DT water for my QT - th en change 10 - 20 % daily in the QT as well - a great excuse to do WC's in the DT! The filter pad is cycled, so if you go that route, you will be good to go. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

11/03/2009, 03:13 PM	#9
kelrn98 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Biloxi, MS Posts: 856	Be sure to monitor your ammonia levels closely. And keep some freshly mixed saltwater in the event that you have to do an expedient water change. If your ammonia rises, do at least 50% water change of QT and replace it from your DT and then your DT gets fresh saltwater! I just set up a QT for my new fish 5 days ago, today is the 2nd day with no ammonia!! I had to do 3 water changes this week, wheh! __________________ ~Kelly~ Current Tank Info: 96x24x30 -300g mixed reef: 75g sump, 35g fuge, 2x MP60, 4x Radion Pros, reef octopus X5000 skimmer, way too much LR and a few fish

11/03/2009, 09:46 PM	#12
kelrn98 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Biloxi, MS Posts: 856	I personally would monitor ammonia levels once a day until you are sure that you aren't getting spikes. It's the safe thing to do for your fish. __________________ ~Kelly~ Current Tank Info: 96x24x30 -300g mixed reef: 75g sump, 35g fuge, 2x MP60, 4x Radion Pros, reef octopus X5000 skimmer, way too much LR and a few fish

11/04/2009, 01:19 AM	#13
jenjen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Langley BC, Canada Posts: 1,710	You may also want to get an ammonia alert strip to put in the tank. I always keep one in my QT and currently have one in a new tank I recently set up. They're not 100% and you still want to do tests, but I've yet to see ammonia on a test and not have seen a reading on the ammonia alert. They're cheap (around $7) and give you added peace of mind. __________________ "Challenges forge the greatness in you" Current Tank Info: 180gal softy reef (Apr '09)

11/03/2009, 01:53 PM	#3
Iron Mike Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: st. joseph Posts: 64	X2 100% DT water is the best way to go.

11/03/2009, 01:57 PM	#4
sfboarders Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: 808 State Posts: 1,356	So it sounds like I can throw the pad in the QT and put 100% DT water and the fish there and I'm good to go?

11/03/2009, 01:58 PM	#5
sfboarders Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: 808 State Posts: 1,356	So it sounds like I can throw the pad in the QT and put 100% DT water and the fish there and I'm good to go?

11/03/2009, 02:55 PM	#7
sfboarders Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: 808 State Posts: 1,356	One more question. I don't need to acclimate them to the QT do I?

11/03/2009, 02:59 PM	#8
Iron Mike Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: st. joseph Posts: 64	Not if they are coming out of you DT. Same water just dont let them be exposed to the air to long.