how do you set up a QT---FAST!

LISound · 03-11-2005, 02:59 PM

you'll see under another thread that i think my main tank my have velvet.
considering this is a very quick killer, i want to set up a QT this weekend but i don't want to use any water from the main tank.
should i cycle with bio spira, that's all i could think of.
i don't want to take a chance with the fish.

the idea behind the new tank is to just get it set up...kinda like a hospital tank in case i have to treat the fish...but if they show no signs, thinking of making it a second nano.

i would really like a second tank just for corals..but can use this as a qt as well, right.

how would you do it, if you were in this position.
not sure what's the best way about doing this.
i'm still a newbie...and there are just too many right and wrong ways to do things.
i don't want to make this any harder for me...i'm already streesed out over the whole thing.

brifirst · 03-11-2005, 03:14 PM

You can actually buy some premixed saltwater, get a tank, heat and a pump . That should do it. You will need some light as well. Let me know if I can help. Should have some of that stuff at home.

brifirst · 03-11-2005, 03:15 PM

You will have to do a water change every few days. No time to cycle.

LISound · 03-11-2005, 04:51 PM

will that stress the fish out even more?
not being in a cycled tank...or are you saying the premixed saltwater is already cycled?

btang · 03-11-2005, 07:01 PM

its not the water that does the cycle, its the bacteria that is growing on stuff in the tank (like in the rock or in a sponge filter, etc...) thats why you will have to do a water change every few days. You will not have time for the bacteria to grow on anything. Without the bacteria you have nothing to remove the Ammonia and Nitrites.

btang · 03-11-2005, 07:05 PM

I keep a hang on the back filter (that will take a sponge filter) for a hospital tank. Keep the sponge in my refugium so it is always ready to set up a tank if I need one.

btang · 03-11-2005, 07:07 PM

Hey LIsound, I'll give you the seeded sponge if you want to come to NJ and pick it up. You would just have to buy the filter.

tabwyo · 03-11-2005, 07:58 PM

As long as you do frequent water changes you will have no problems. Your hospital/QT tank is for emergency use, not constant habitation. But by frequent I mean every day. It doesn't have to be 100% but a 10% WC with RO/DI with keep a QT tank up for a while. That is unless you are QTing a shark in a 10g then I'd say you not only have space problem but a great white poopey in a 10g can muck up the best of laid plans.

LISound · 03-11-2005, 10:43 PM

will do all
thanks

we'll see how they do...

Tasher80 · 03-12-2005, 12:21 AM

I have a spare 10 gallon tank that I use a Whisper Mini HOB filter without any filter in it for water movement then a small heater. I don't have a light i just use the light that is from the main tank as the QT would sit next to it. I do a 10% water change daily which is a whole whopping 1 gallon. I can set up mine in 10 minutes if needed. I have a tube of PVC for the fish to hide in when they are in it as well. Not LR needs to be in there.

drsyme · 03-12-2005, 05:53 AM

I was just thinking about this. But, in general, what is the point of having a sponge, or LR, or a biowheel or other biologic filter in a QT/hospital tank anyway? Dont you have to treat the tank with antimicrobials anyway, and wouldnt that kill most of the bioload? It seems to me that you would have to be doing frequent water changes anyway, even if a tank was well established.

What do you folks do? Do you have a seperate tank running all the time that is cycled? Does it have LR? What other filtration do you use?

btang · 03-12-2005, 06:42 AM

I used the sponge method for about 4 weeks and never did a water change. Was treating my purple tang with copper. So the sponge worked great for me.

It was in a 10 gallon with only a sponge Hang on the Back filter, heater and two peices of fake coral. Ran lights 10 hours a day.

drsyme · 03-12-2005, 07:48 AM

With copper the biomass should be ok. But if you had to use antibiotics it would kill off at least some of the bacteria in the sponge. I guess if you only need to use copper, or a low salinity bath then the biomass will remain.

LISound · 03-12-2005, 12:25 PM

the idea for me is to set up a QT---that runs all the time and a med tank.
i guess i should have been more clear in posting the thread...
i will be setting up a med tank quickly...also setting up a qt, but that will only be used for new and suspect fish.
if i notice anyone is sick...in the med tank they go.
that will just have an air pump and PH and some PVC---good idea.
i'll use a clip on light and that should do it....with daily water changes.

Thanks all, this has been most helpful...
and i'm not as stressed...

tabwyo · 03-12-2005, 06:51 PM

When you are dealing with sick fish you need to put them in the most sterile environment possible. You criiter could care less about bacterial. All they want is for the bacteria to do its job. By doing frequent water changes you negate the need for nitrifying bacteria by removing/ diluting the amonia befor the bacteria gets a crack at it. As for havin LR or even fake corral in a QT, I'd say your tempting fate. Why give the krud one fish has a place to hide just to infect another already sick fish. I run a straight BB 10g and 20g with a heater and a powerhed. I cut fresh 3" PVC into a couple 6 inch hunks and call it good. I don't even recycle the pvc, I know it paranoid but hey, pvc is cheap and I don't stress as much. With a minimum 25% WC a day I have run into no problems.

how do you set up a QT---FAST!

biofiltration in QT/hospital tank