Anyone run a QT 24/7?

[doubleshot00]

I just took a fish out if QT and its now running empty no fish at all in it. Its a cycled tank with media in it.

Has anyone ran a tank like this 24/7 even if no fish is present or should i just take it down?

I ask this as its been running for months.

 

[JGT]

Any plans for more fish? If so, I’d keep it running.

 

[doubleshot00]

Any plans for more fish? If so, I’d keep it running.

No actually. I had it running for a hospital tank only.

 

[JGT]

I’d give it a couple weeks since u just moved a fish out and into your DT. If all looks good then break it down.

 

[fishface NJ]

I have two that have been running for two year...fish and coral.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I just took a fish out if QT and its now running empty no fish at all in it. Its a cycled tank with media in it.

Has anyone ran a tank like this 24/7 even if no fish is present or should i just take it down?

I ask this as its been running for months.

If it is seeded with bacteria and established- allow it to run continuous. Obviously after 6-8 weeks, its sure to be free of parasites

 

[Hitchhik3r]

I am still new to this but the BRS quaratine method states to not cycle a QT since bacteria will die anyways from all the copper and treatments and such. Is this not the case?

 

[doubleshot00]

I am still new to this but the BRS quaratine method states to not cycle a QT since bacteria will die anyways from all the copper and treatments and such. Is this not the case?

I don’t that QT method. Its very time consuming and imo not the best way.

 

[cdnco2004]

I am still new to this but the BRS quaratine method states to not cycle a QT since bacteria will die anyways from all the copper and treatments and such. Is this not the case?

Sounds like you are following BRS/Marine Collectors method which is a medicated Tank Transfer Method (TTM). Thats what I was doing until recently. This is my current process.

2 Sets of QT equipment, 2 tanks, 2 heaters, 2 air stones with tubing, 2 sets of PVC hides.

Day 1, prepare a H2O2 bath Instructions: https://humble.fish/community/index.php?threads/hydrogen-peroxide.1767/
While fish is in H2O2 bath setup first QT. Spray equipment with light vinegar/h20 spray, towel dry after a few minutes. Then add heater and hides to tank fill with Instant Ocean saltwater. After H2O2 bath add fish to QT. 4 days later setup another H2O2 bath. While fish is in bath setup second QT as before. Then clean the first qt. Empty and spray with vinegar/h202, towel dry and set aside for the next 4 day H2O2 bath and tank swap. Do this for 2 weeks. Then add fish to DT.

You want to let the equipment to dry out in between use to kill any missed trophozoites that might have fallen off the fish and missed during your clenaing. If you leave the tank up you wont be able to guaranty no trophozoites are waiting to reinfect your fish the next time you add any into QT.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I am still new to this but the BRS quaratine method states to not cycle a QT since bacteria will die anyways from all the copper and treatments and such. Is this not the case?

No, I have a series of quarantine tanks that have been running since 2014. I’ve only taken one down because it had a disease issue that I couldn’t identify or stop. I’ll leave a fish or two in the systems if they are going to be empty for more than 3 months or so (some people just feed their empty tanks).
Only some antibiotics will actually harm the bacteria.
Jay

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I just took a fish out if QT and its now running empty no fish at all in it. Its a cycled tank with media in it.

Has anyone ran a tank like this 24/7 even if no fish is present or should i just take it down?

I ask this as its been running for months.

What I would do is keep it running for a few weeks after the last batch of fish has moved out, then, if you don’t anticipate getting any new fish for 4 months or so, tear the tank down and store it BUT keep a biofilter like a good sponge filter running in you DT sump and use that to restart the QT quickly if you need to in the future.
Jay

 

[Tcook]

My observation tank at work running almost 2 years (yes, kind of turned into a reef)


And my observation tank at home.


I keep them running despite the fish being temporary residents.

 

[LOVEROCK]

I set one up for live rock curing , presently o have no fish in it for 4 months already , is the bacteria dead ?

 

[LeftyReefer]

I keep my QT tanks going 24/7. I still have more fish to add to my DT and I'm QTing the fish in small batches. Finishing up a trio of chromis right now and then I will be doing a trio of anthias next, and maybe another damsel.

Once I'm done adding all the fish I want, I'll probably convert my bigger QT tank into a full time coral/invert QT tank or possibly a frag tank and then just keep the smaller one going for fish hospital/QT use.

 

[Hitchhik3r]

No, I have a series of quarantine tanks that have been running since 2014. I’ve only taken one down because it had a disease issue that I couldn’t identify or stop. I’ll leave a fish or two in the systems if they are going to be empty for more than 3 months or so (some people just feed their empty tanks).
Only some antibiotics will actually harm the bacteria.
Jay

So empiric copper treating multiple times is safe for the bacteria? If so I will go ahead and cycle my QT as well then

 

[Spare time]

I have an invert QT going even if I don't have much in it. It for the occasional snail or two

 

[Gtinnel]

I keep a qt tank running at all times. It’s in a space that isn’t in my way so I don’t care to leave it up.
Im hoping when I know I’m done adding fish to my tanks it will eventually convert into a frag tank.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

So empiric copper treating multiple times is safe for the bacteria? If so I will go ahead and cycle my QT as well then

Yes - amine based copper products may limit the activity of the beneficial bacteria by about 25%, but this is temporary. Long term copper use has no effect on them.

More of an issue is when people need to set up a QT "on the fly" and then have no bacteria, and they end up battling both the disease and high ammonia levels.

One other contraindication in addition to some antibiotics is chloroquine - that can cause an ammonia rise after the first dose.

Jay