a QT with no fish

BigJim · 09/21/2010, 12:41 PM

What do you guys do with you QT once you've put the fish into your display tank? I prefer to keep the QT running in order to maintain the water chemistry. I don't plan on getting new fish anytime soon and I don't want to tear down the QT just to set it up again in the future. The water chemistry is good and I have some small live rock in it. If it goes fishless for a few months I would assume I would get an amonia spike (or a new cycle) if I introduce new fish. That would be harmful to the already stressed fish.

I've thought of keeping a few small cheap fish in it as an option but then I have to remember to feed them(the QT is in the basement out of sight). I've also considered adding water from my display tank when I do water changes but I don't know if that is enough to maintain the water chemistry.

Any thoughts?

mike_cmu04 · 09/21/2010, 01:52 PM

I empty mine when not in use and when i get a fish i just use my waterchange water to fill it back up.

trb · 09/21/2010, 04:35 PM

Do you have some filter media in a filter on your QT? If you do, I was told to keep it in your sump so it stays live, and then you can move it over to the QT and use your WC water to set it back up quickly. I have a 30-60 HOB filter I've used that has the mesh filters, which are easier to "store" in a sump than say a biowheel filter.

Krisb410 · 09/21/2010, 04:42 PM

I put two sailfin mollies in mine as permanent residents

jaa1456 · 09/21/2010, 06:21 PM

Put a damsel or 2 in ther, just make sure they are no dominos or 3 or 4 striped.

Krisb410 · 09/21/2010, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaa1456

Put a damsel or 2 in ther, just make sure they are no dominos or 3 or 4 striped.

Demsels tend to be too aggressive, hense the reason I went with mollies

09/21/2010, 12:41 PM	#1
BigJim Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 556	a QT with no fish What do you guys do with you QT once you've put the fish into your display tank? I prefer to keep the QT running in order to maintain the water chemistry. I don't plan on getting new fish anytime soon and I don't want to tear down the QT just to set it up again in the future. The water chemistry is good and I have some small live rock in it. If it goes fishless for a few months I would assume I would get an amonia spike (or a new cycle) if I introduce new fish. That would be harmful to the already stressed fish. I've thought of keeping a few small cheap fish in it as an option but then I have to remember to feed them(the QT is in the basement out of sight). I've also considered adding water from my display tank when I do water changes but I don't know if that is enough to maintain the water chemistry. Any thoughts? __________________ There are 3 kinds of people, those who can do math and those who can't.

09/21/2010, 04:35 PM	#3
trb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 234	Do you have some filter media in a filter on your QT? If you do, I was told to keep it in your sump so it stays live, and then you can move it over to the QT and use your WC water to set it back up quickly. I have a 30-60 HOB filter I've used that has the mesh filters, which are easier to "store" in a sump than say a biowheel filter. __________________ Thomas member of MARSHreef - the Marine and Reef Society of Houston. Current Tank Info: 60+ Gal top reef display + 29 gal non reef safe lower display + 29 gal sump

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09/21/2010, 01:52 PM	#2
mike_cmu04 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Shepherd, Mi Posts: 2,348	I empty mine when not in use and when i get a fish i just use my waterchange water to fill it back up.

09/21/2010, 04:42 PM	#4
Krisb410 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 9	I put two sailfin mollies in mine as permanent residents

09/21/2010, 06:21 PM	#5
jaa1456 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 1,145	Put a damsel or 2 in ther, just make sure they are no dominos or 3 or 4 striped.