Converting a freshwater QT to saltwater QT...

Xirxes23 · 05/30/2006, 12:45 PM

Hello, i have a 10G QT for my freshwater that i no longer need, and a 90G saltwater tank abouleap t ready for fish, in need of a QT...

Firstly, what do i have to do to convert it? It has heater, lid with cheap lighting.

Another question is on the filtration. It has a hang on back filter that basically just pushes water through a mesh which contains biological elements and activated carbon, can i use this in saltwater QT?

I will be changing out the gravel for leftover ARAG, and seed with my live tank sand... maybe toss in a small amount of live rock.

Do i need high quality lighting if im only going to be QT'ing for 2 weeks max per fish?

ok enough questions for now. ANy assistance will be appreciated.

Randall_James · 05/30/2006, 12:58 PM

Rinse the thing out, and the HOB with the mesh is fine. It will need to cycle however to populate with the bacteria needed for ammonia control. Leave the bottom bare. A good practice of qt on salt water is to daily vacuum the floor of the tank clean (Ich parasites etc). As the tank is rather smallish, you should have at least 10 gallons of water ready for water changes (day 2-5 are critical) Ammonia is almost always an issue initially and you just need to be prepared to replace the water to maintain safe levels (less than .15 IMO is max) This can result in 50% water changes twice a day if things get ugly.

Black out 3 of the 4 sides of the tank and use low lighting to calm the critters as well

Your time frame of 2 weeks is about half of what I would suggest but if you do a prophylactic treatment of copper for ich, you might be ok here. I still abide by 4 weeks however

kraze3 · 05/30/2006, 12:58 PM

You dont need any special lighting for a qt tank unless you are going to qt corals.

The hang on back filter should do, but change all the media and let the qt cycle as you would any other saltwater aquarium.

A qt tank should be barebottom. Dont use any substrate at all or live rock, just put some pvc pieces in the bottom for hiding spots for the fish.

Xirxes23 · 05/30/2006, 01:05 PM

okee doke, i will clean out the tank today, and get a new filter for it... RO/DI saltwater in and cycle with no substrate... 1/4 water change every 2 days alright?

tkeracer619 · 05/30/2006, 01:27 PM

you have to do waterchanges as they are needed. Testing should be done twice a day.

Randall_James · 05/30/2006, 01:45 PM

yes water changes are AS NEEDED, this could be none or 50% or more. Testing is important here for ammonia. Get an indicator badge at your LFS. It is an ammonia indicator that hangs in the tank. Keep in mind they react very slowly but it will at least give you a visual if a problem is starting (and it likely will). Keep at least 10 Gallons of water ready to go as you may end up doing that much water a day. From day 2 to day 5 are the most likely to have issues as the bacteria populate.
Key here is make sure that the salinity and temperature match as close as you possibly can +- .5 degree and salinity should be within .001

Do all you need to in order to keep the ammonia below .15 and prefer below .10

05/30/2006, 12:45 PM	#1
Xirxes23 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 607	Converting a freshwater QT to saltwater QT... Hello, i have a 10G QT for my freshwater that i no longer need, and a 90G saltwater tank abouleap t ready for fish, in need of a QT... Firstly, what do i have to do to convert it? It has heater, lid with cheap lighting. Another question is on the filtration. It has a hang on back filter that basically just pushes water through a mesh which contains biological elements and activated carbon, can i use this in saltwater QT? I will be changing out the gravel for leftover ARAG, and seed with my live tank sand... maybe toss in a small amount of live rock. Do i need high quality lighting if im only going to be QT'ing for 2 weeks max per fish? ok enough questions for now. ANy assistance will be appreciated.

05/30/2006, 12:58 PM	#2
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	Rinse the thing out, and the HOB with the mesh is fine. It will need to cycle however to populate with the bacteria needed for ammonia control. Leave the bottom bare. A good practice of qt on salt water is to daily vacuum the floor of the tank clean (Ich parasites etc). As the tank is rather smallish, you should have at least 10 gallons of water ready for water changes (day 2-5 are critical) Ammonia is almost always an issue initially and you just need to be prepared to replace the water to maintain safe levels (less than .15 IMO is max) This can result in 50% water changes twice a day if things get ugly. Black out 3 of the 4 sides of the tank and use low lighting to calm the critters as well Your time frame of 2 weeks is about half of what I would suggest but if you do a prophylactic treatment of copper for ich, you might be ok here. I still abide by 4 weeks however __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

05/30/2006, 01:27 PM	#5
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	you have to do waterchanges as they are needed. Testing should be done twice a day. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

05/30/2006, 01:45 PM	#6
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	yes water changes are AS NEEDED, this could be none or 50% or more. Testing is important here for ammonia. Get an indicator badge at your LFS. It is an ammonia indicator that hangs in the tank. Keep in mind they react very slowly but it will at least give you a visual if a problem is starting (and it likely will). Keep at least 10 Gallons of water ready to go as you may end up doing that much water a day. From day 2 to day 5 are the most likely to have issues as the bacteria populate. Key here is make sure that the salinity and temperature match as close as you possibly can +- .5 degree and salinity should be within .001 Do all you need to in order to keep the ammonia below .15 and prefer below .10 __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

05/30/2006, 12:58 PM	#3
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,373	You dont need any special lighting for a qt tank unless you are going to qt corals. The hang on back filter should do, but change all the media and let the qt cycle as you would any other saltwater aquarium. A qt tank should be barebottom. Dont use any substrate at all or live rock, just put some pvc pieces in the bottom for hiding spots for the fish.

05/30/2006, 01:05 PM	#4
Xirxes23 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 607	okee doke, i will clean out the tank today, and get a new filter for it... RO/DI saltwater in and cycle with no substrate... 1/4 water change every 2 days alright?