Fish to cycle quarantine tank

[hawkfish]

I've got a 55 gallon tank set up for quarantine. I've cycled it and had a single damsel in it to keep it going. I've added three little bartlett anthias to quarantine, and removed the damsel because he was picking on them a little.

Question: After four week quarantine, can someone recommend one or two nonaggressive, not too expensive fish to maintain the cycle. I'm looking for something that wouldn't necessarily be reef safe, but has some character for the majority of the time when I'm not quarantining fish and wouldn't bother any of the quarantine fish on an ongoing basis.

Thanks

 

[stacy22]

Using fish to cycle a tank is considered poor practice. There are much more humane ways to keep ammonia added to a tank. Try ghost feeding.

 

[hawkfish]

You misunderstand the question. The tank has cycled, 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite, 0 Nitrate. I merely want to maintain the micro bacteria by keeping something in the tank.

 

[kilralpine]

Will work so long as there is LR or something else for the bacteria to live out of.

 

[hawkfish]

I didn't think you want LR in a quarantine tank. No sand, either, just some PVC to hide in. I have a bag of Matrix in the back and add microbacter 7 once or twice a week. I'm just trying to avoid adding fish to the quarantine and have a spike of ammonia. I can of course use Prime as well. I''m just trying to make the safest environment for acclimating fish and making sure they are ok.

 

[cj22009]

I think you would be fine considering that you are running matrix good stuff for keeping bacteria alive. Ghost feeding once a week or so should give be plenty of food for them

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

 

[sewer urchin]

I would just add a pinch of fish food, as it breaks down it feeds the bacteria. This is also how I cycle a new tank as well, I don't like the thought putting my hand in a tank of rotting meat- so no dead shrimp for me.

I believe that's what Stacy meant when she said "Ghost Feeding"

 

[kilralpine]

It shouldnt take "alot" of ghost feeding given its a quarantine. The matrix is great stuff; equivalent to LR.

Raw table shrimp would be fine to use; i use a single (1) to kickstart my 75. Maybe a quarter of a shrimp would work for something this small.

 

[stacy22]

Sewer Urchin;841073 wrote:
I believe that's what Stacy meant when she said "Ghost Feeding"

:thumbs:

 

[rdnelson]

I think most are missing his point. He doesn't want to see an empty tank sitting there when not QT fish. .

How about a pair of fire fish? They won't bother any fish you want to QT. the one draw back is that a new fish added that may have issues could spread it to the fish you keep in QT all the time.

 

[djatl]

rdnelson99;841304 wrote: I think most are missing his point. He doesn't want to see an empty tank sitting there when not QT fish. .

How about a pair of fire fish? They won't bother any fish you want to QT. the one draw back is that a new fish added that may have issues could spread it to the fish you keep in QT all the time.

I agree. He wants to keep the tank cycled by keeping it occupied. However, any fish he keeps there will repeatedly be exposed to any incoming problems. Is there any fish that's essentially bulletproof with respect to typical diseases that you'd quarantine for?

 

[jdavid]

do snowflakes get ich?
they like pvc thats for sure

Edit: snowflake eels that is

 

[rdnelson]

djatl;841316 wrote: I agree. He wants to keep the tank cycled by keeping it occupied. However, any fish he keeps there will repeatedly be exposed to any incoming problems. Is there any fish that's essentially bulletproof with respect to typical diseases that you'd quarantine for?

Yellow Coris Wrasse. The draw back is you would need a cup of sand for it to sleep in. I used a Tupperware bowl when I QTd mine. He was the only fish to make it thru the Brook outbreak.

 

[firstfear]

Personally I was going to say a dragon wrasse or lil porcupine puffer. Both of those are pure character fish. The puffer should eventually eat out of your hand. Just gotta make sure he doesn't get big enough to wipe out the new fish you are going to put in. The good part is if he did get to big take him back tot he LFS and they would probably trade you a very small one again for the larger one. Have had both of those in the past and they rocked for a character fish and both are super hardy.
FF..

 

[hawkfish]

rdnelson99;841304 wrote: I think most are missing his point. He doesn't want to see an empty tank sitting there when not QT fish. .

How about a pair of fire fish? They won't bother any fish you want to QT. the one draw back is that a new fish added that may have issues could spread it to the fish you keep in QT all the time.

That's exactly the point. My spouse would think I've really lost it feeding an empty tank.

 

[rdnelson]

Don't you mean "My wife would KNOW I have totally lost it....." hehehehe

 

[silver surfer]

If you had it plumbed into the system you could have it running and it would stay cycled. Once you add the new fish isolate the qt.

That's what I do and it works great.

 

[firstfear]

Nah put a few decorations in the tank and tell her the fish is really really shy and just runs when it sees her coming. That right there could buy you some peace for a while. Course she will be mad as H#ll when she figures out you were just teasin her....

 

[jimsreeftank]

black mollys-- drip them to salt water and they will be great- - will even bread

 

[jef4y]

I'd put a small puffer in there. Not a porcupine or dogface though as they grow too big. One of the mini's.