quarantine

[dannyafoster]

I am planning to use a QT. I know that a Qt has to be cycled as well. Everything i have read says that you use bio filter out of your display or sump to help it cycle. I wont have an established tank at the time. I plan to set up my Display and Qt at the same time. So how would i cycle the QT? I want to put QT fish while my display cycles that way when my cycle ends i can just put them in. Is this a bad idea?

 

[rdnelson]

I have the solution for you. I have a complete QT for sale for $50. Buy it and I will throw in two bags of matrix which have been in my sump for months and are fully cycled. That way when you add water and put these bags in you QT is instantly cycled. Once you move the fish to the display (assuming you have not medicated in the QT) you can move the bags into your sump so they are ready the next time you need the QT.

 

[dannyafoster]

lol sounds good except i have everything i need for the QT i am just curious about that part. I appreciate the offer though.

 

[rdnelson]

No problem.


I know you all think I have no heart but now I have an ultrasound to prove it.

 

[ralph atl]

You have a couple of options...

Set the QT up early and cycle it. (If not early you'll have to wait)

Or

Don't cycle it
Use Prime and do daily or every other day water changes (check ammonia frequently).
I have a ten gallon with a cheap penguin 100 bio wheel hob filter with ceramic tubes in chamber, then I have a one inch area portioned off with my heater, air stone, and matrix rock.

I fed about ten times today, so I did a 2 gallon water change, day one.

 

[shrimpy brains]

mysterybox;928675 wrote: You have a couple of options...

Set the QT up early and cycle it. (If not early you'll have to wait)

Or

Don't cycle it
Use Prime and do daily or every other day water changes (check ammonia frequently).
I have a ten gallon with a cheap penguin 100 bio wheel hob filter with ceramic tubes in chamber, then I have a one inch area portioned off with my heater, air stone, and matrix rock.

I fed about ten times today, so I did a 2 gallon water change, day one.

:up:

 

[dannyafoster]

if i get a cup of sand from my LFS could i use that as a cycler?

 

[ralph atl]

just add a couple of frozen mysis if you want...or any organic fish food source

 

[redstang]

Do you know anyone close by with a tank? If so ask them to throw in a a bag of matrix for you. Just transfer it to your QT when you get home.

I could, but I'm a long ways away.

 

[dannyafoster]

how long would the matrix have to stay in the other tank before i could use it to seed my QT? Btw my Qt is a 25g tall that i used to use for freshwater. And does a QT have to have a good light or can it be any light.

Edit: how long would the matrix have to stay in the other tank before i could use it to seed my QT? Btw my Qt is a 25g tall that i used to use for freshwater. And does a QT have to have a good light or can it be any light.

 

[ringo®]

DannyaFoster;928721 wrote: how long would the matrix have to stay in the other tank before i could use it to seed my QT? Btw my Qt is a 25g tall that i used to use for freshwater. And does a QT have to have a good light or can it be any light.

A few weeks would be playing it safe. If the qt is just for fish, you only need enough light to see what you're doing.

 

[dannyafoster]

ok does anyone live in the winder area?

 

[racinrevo0818]

No fancy light needed if it's just a fish qt. Matrix is the way to go if you can find some one with some. You don't really want sand in a qt tank as it will absorb the meds and from my reading it's not a good idea unless you have a fish dependent on sand. Just take it slow on sticking till you get the hang of keeping things stable. It's no fun loosing a tank of really nice fish in qt. Start with some of the nicer community fish and go from there.

You also have to decide on qt treatments. Either to watch them for at least a month it 2 or preventive qt which would be like prazi pro, chloroqine phosphate treatments before you see any side effects. I've done qt both ways and haven't lost any fish yet. Just make sure you have some medications on hand unless you live close to a good fish store. Good luck

 

[dannyafoster]

so a month is the time frame for QT? Seems like a long time? I know the saying that nothing great happens fast in this hobby but is a month the minimum?

 

[jbdreefs]

There are bacteria supplements (or whatever it is called) that will speed up the cycle. Just about all fish stores carry it.

 

[dannyafoster]

i guess i just need to find someone in my area that has a bag of matrix i cn have