QT Tank Advice

Uncle Dmerr · 12/09/2013, 02:43 PM

Today I’ll be setting up a 15 gallon quarantine tank, and I have a few questions. I’m going to be using Bio-Spira to cycle the QT tank, mostly because I do not want to wait another 10-12 weeks to add fish to my DT.

1) Should I use new RODI water or should I use some of the water from my existing (cycled) 90gal display tank? Maybe ½ & ½?

2) I have a simple Quiet-Flow hang on back filter (that has never been used), will this be okay for my QT tank or do I need something “stronger.” I’m going to use a carbon-free filter pad.

3) While my fish are in the QT tank, is it safe to treat the fish as if they have ICH and medicate them? (In other words, skipping the observation process and start meds after fish start eating) What are some recommended meds for preventative treatment?

thegrun · 12/09/2013, 02:57 PM

1. Either is fine or a mix of the two. I like to use old water from a water change to start the QT. There is little or no cycling advantage to using the old tank water. I use the old tank water change water because I would be throwing it away otherwise.
2. It will probably be okay, but you are going to need something to act as a biological filter or make a lot of water changes to keep your ammonia levels below 0.25.
3. This is a item of some debate. I prefer to only treat if required (but I do initially dip all fish prior to QT) as I am convinced this stresses the fish, but many treat with copper or hypo salinity.

Uncle Dmerr · 12/09/2013, 03:04 PM

Thanks!

Quote:

you are going to need something to act as a biological filter

What are some Biological filter suggestions?

hogfanreefer · 12/09/2013, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Dmerr

Thanks!

What are some Biological filter suggestions?

Biomax or some equivalent ceramic media. Put it in your HOB filter and cycle it like any other tank.

I now treat all fish with Cupramine and Prazipro.

sleepydoc · 12/09/2013, 09:39 PM

Either is probably fine. You will get a small amount of bacteria from the water, but not much - the nitrifying bacteria are surface dwellers and there's not much to speak of in the water column.

The filter is fine. I keep a sponge in my sump so it's seeded and ready to go - basically eliminates the cycle.

As thegrun said observing vs treating is up for debate. My approach is that fish can harbor ich asymptomatically, so I treat. I would advocate for a course of prazipro no matter what - it's cheap, easy and very well tolerated.

12/09/2013, 02:43 PM	#1
Uncle Dmerr Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Nebraska Posts: 36	QT Tank Advice Today I’ll be setting up a 15 gallon quarantine tank, and I have a few questions. I’m going to be using Bio-Spira to cycle the QT tank, mostly because I do not want to wait another 10-12 weeks to add fish to my DT. 1) Should I use new RODI water or should I use some of the water from my existing (cycled) 90gal display tank? Maybe ½ & ½? 2) I have a simple Quiet-Flow hang on back filter (that has never been used), will this be okay for my QT tank or do I need something “stronger.” I’m going to use a carbon-free filter pad. 3) While my fish are in the QT tank, is it safe to treat the fish as if they have ICH and medicate them? (In other words, skipping the observation process and start meds after fish start eating) What are some recommended meds for preventative treatment?

12/09/2013, 09:39 PM	#5
sleepydoc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,907	Either is probably fine. You will get a small amount of bacteria from the water, but not much - the nitrifying bacteria are surface dwellers and there's not much to speak of in the water column. The filter is fine. I keep a sponge in my sump so it's seeded and ready to go - basically eliminates the cycle. As thegrun said observing vs treating is up for debate. My approach is that fish can harbor ich asymptomatically, so I treat. I would advocate for a course of prazipro no matter what - it's cheap, easy and very well tolerated. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 120 gallon, coast to coast overflow w/beananimal overflow. Waveline DC 10000 II return pump, 40 gal sump, Octopus XS200 skimmer, T5 lighting

12/09/2013, 02:57 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	1. Either is fine or a mix of the two. I like to use old water from a water change to start the QT. There is little or no cycling advantage to using the old tank water. I use the old tank water change water because I would be throwing it away otherwise. 2. It will probably be okay, but you are going to need something to act as a biological filter or make a lot of water changes to keep your ammonia levels below 0.25. 3. This is a item of some debate. I prefer to only treat if required (but I do initially dip all fish prior to QT) as I am convinced this stresses the fish, but many treat with copper or hypo salinity.