Quick QT tank setup?

[reefer321]

What is the fastest way to get a QT up and going? I am assuming I can use water from the DT, a heater and a hob filter? Thing is i don't want to run the QT unless I need it for fish. So I would like for it to be able to sit empty when not in use. Is this feasible? What is the down side to a set up like this? I just don't want to take care of the QT on a regular basis unless there are fish in it.....

[thegrun]

Just keep a filter pad or floss in your main tank (it will become populated with bacteria). When you need to use the QT, transfer the pad or floss over to your HOB filter and you should be fine. You will want to monitor your ammonia levels closely and be prepared to make water changes if the filter can't keep up with the ammonia.

[WhoDat?]

....+1

[wooden_reefer]

Originally Posted by reefer321

What is the fastest way to get a QT up and going? I am assuming I can use water from the DT, a heater and a hob filter? Thing is i don't want to run the QT unless I need it for fish. So I would like for it to be able to sit empty when not in use. Is this feasible? What is the down side to a set up like this? I just don't want to take care of the QT on a regular basis unless there are fish in it.....

You first QT setup cannot be fast as you have to cycle the medium for QT.

Subsequent setup can be fast if you keep the bacteria in the medium alive.

It is easy unless you forget about it all together and let it dry up, as I have a few times but luckily never had to regret.

You can keep the active medium moist and fed in a small container. Loosly covered or with a couple of small holes on the cover as if to keep an insect alive. This is to allow air but reduce evaporation. It is better to start at salinity of say 1.015 and allow move up a bit and that add fresh water again. It is best that it be partly submerged (not fully submerged) so as to have better gaseous exchange. Feed periodically, say biweekly, with an ammonia source.

If you ever need to set up a QT again, rinse the medium with clean water of the right parameters before using it in QT.

[gdsmith56]

I keep a sponge filter in my sump 24x7 .. when I need a QT, I add tank water to an aquarium, connect an air pump to the filter, throw in a heater, and I ready to go.

[wooden_reefer]

Originally Posted by gdsmith56

I keep a sponge filter in my sump 24x7 .. when I need a QT, I add tank water to an aquarium, connect an air pump to the filter, throw in a heater, and I ready to go.

A few posts here say that a sponge in the DT is not enough, as expected in some cases.

One can simply think about it. If you need to QT a small goby, the sponge in QT can be enough. Ammonia level in DT is very low, so net bacteria population within a DT does not change much. Regional bacteria population within a DT will shift slowly according to how ideal for bacterial growth a region is. Even if a sponge is the more ideal region, there is only finite amount of bacteria in an envirnment where ammonia is very low, as in the DT.

To maintain a high population in a medium, a bacteria population has to experience enough ammonia frequently enough.

[reefer321]

Thanks for all the responses! I have some sponge filter in the sump now in my bubble baffles that I can use and just put new sponges in the sump when I use the old ones for the QT... Great!

[WhoDat?]

Good idea.... I would discard any used sponges if medication was used... if no meds... you can rinse and reuse.... good luck!!