QT good to go?

ledford1 · 09/10/2006, 12:12 PM

I'm setting up my QT for a few new fish. I had often just used my 90 as the trial area before going into the 180, but now have a dedicated 30g to use.

I have a heater, AquaClear HOB filter (w/carbon and bio media but no mechanical), powerheads, air pump, and a light.

The main Q I have is biological. I was planning on adding a rock or two from my established tanks and just plop it on in the QT. I figure adding the LR would be instant bio filtaration and the QT immediately will be ready, assuming slainity, pH, temp, etc are fine.

Is that enough? Am I forgetting something?

Thanks.

Angel*Fish · 09/10/2006, 12:18 PM

Is this a non-med tank that you plan on running 24/7? If so you may want to add more rock or a DSB.

ledford1 · 09/10/2006, 12:49 PM

No, I wasn't planning on addings meds right away.

My plan is to QT a couple fish for about a month, getting them used to the foods and watching for any problems. Should any problems arise, then yes, I would be ready to medicate.

Sound fine?

And no, I don't plan to keep it running 24/7 - just long enough to QT for the moment.

graveyardworm · 09/10/2006, 01:26 PM

The LR should be fine, unless you need to medicate or treat with hypo, both could kill off stuff living in the LR and cause an ammonia spike. My opinion is you would be better off to leave it out and use some PVC instead. Also if the fish are carrying ich the LR will be providing a happy home for the ich while it goes through its life cycle. If you havent read it yet here's an article about QT

and two about ich and treatment methods.

Part 1
and
Part 2

ledford1 · 09/10/2006, 01:33 PM

Does PVC host denitrifying bacteria?

I also have added 2 pieces of PVC (an elbow and a straight joint) to help give some shelter.

graveyardworm · 09/10/2006, 03:35 PM

The PVC does not host very much bacteria, there will be some in your hang on filter. The QT is a higher maintenance tank than a display. You should siphon out any leftover food, and water changes will need to be done very regularly. I am in the process of QT'ing some fish here is a link to the thread. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=920398

meco65 · 09/10/2006, 04:14 PM

I agree with graveyardworm on the PVC instead of live rock. You can put a new filter pad in your tank or sump a few weeks before you set up the QT this will jump start a bio-filter in the filter pad.

09/10/2006, 12:12 PM	#1
ledford1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,241	QT good to go? I'm setting up my QT for a few new fish. I had often just used my 90 as the trial area before going into the 180, but now have a dedicated 30g to use. I have a heater, AquaClear HOB filter (w/carbon and bio media but no mechanical), powerheads, air pump, and a light. The main Q I have is biological. I was planning on adding a rock or two from my established tanks and just plop it on in the QT. I figure adding the LR would be instant bio filtaration and the QT immediately will be ready, assuming slainity, pH, temp, etc are fine. Is that enough? Am I forgetting something? Thanks.

09/10/2006, 12:18 PM	#2
Angel*Fish cats and large squashes Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,951 Blog Entries: 1	Is this a non-med tank that you plan on running 24/7? If so you may want to add more rock or a DSB. __________________ Marie So long, & thanks for all the fish! __________________________ Current Tank Info: Pairs: flame angels, cherub angels, Red Sea mimic blennies, yellow fin fairy wrasses, clowns, mandarins, blackcap basslets, shrimp gobies, damsels, dispar anthias, yellow clown gobies, threadfin cardinals --- Tanks: 100g reef, 2 x 30g refugiums

09/10/2006, 01:26 PM	#4
graveyardworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nottingham, NH Posts: 7,251	The LR should be fine, unless you need to medicate or treat with hypo, both could kill off stuff living in the LR and cause an ammonia spike. My opinion is you would be better off to leave it out and use some PVC instead. Also if the fish are carrying ich the LR will be providing a happy home for the ich while it goes through its life cycle. If you havent read it yet here's an article about QT and two about ich and treatment methods. Part 1 and Part 2 __________________ -David- President - New Hampshire Reef Club There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave Current Tank Info: 100 gal lagoon/seagrass, 100 gal sump, Lifereef 72" skimmer, 180 inwall, 125 inwall seagrass/lagoon in progress

09/10/2006, 03:35 PM	#6
graveyardworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nottingham, NH Posts: 7,251	The PVC does not host very much bacteria, there will be some in your hang on filter. The QT is a higher maintenance tank than a display. You should siphon out any leftover food, and water changes will need to be done very regularly. I am in the process of QT'ing some fish here is a link to the thread. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=920398 __________________ -David- President - New Hampshire Reef Club There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave Current Tank Info: 100 gal lagoon/seagrass, 100 gal sump, Lifereef 72" skimmer, 180 inwall, 125 inwall seagrass/lagoon in progress

09/10/2006, 12:49 PM	#3
ledford1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,241	No, I wasn't planning on addings meds right away. My plan is to QT a couple fish for about a month, getting them used to the foods and watching for any problems. Should any problems arise, then yes, I would be ready to medicate. Sound fine? And no, I don't plan to keep it running 24/7 - just long enough to QT for the moment.

09/10/2006, 01:33 PM	#5
ledford1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,241	Does PVC host denitrifying bacteria? I also have added 2 pieces of PVC (an elbow and a straight joint) to help give some shelter.

09/10/2006, 04:14 PM	#7
meco65 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,603	I agree with graveyardworm on the PVC instead of live rock. You can put a new filter pad in your tank or sump a few weeks before you set up the QT this will jump start a bio-filter in the filter pad.