Cycling QT Tank

Cleverbs · Mar 23, 2015

QT tanks are always a source of problems because everyone uses them differently. In the past I was always worried about putting a fish in a tank that isnt cycled. So what I would do I used 2 spunge filters at a time. I put it in my Display in this case put it in your QT for now then another in your sump later when you have a display. Then I would put fish in it after its "Cycled" and watch them. If they showed signs of anything that needed to be treated I just pulled the sponge filter and medicated. I would just toss the old spong and get a new one. But the point of having two is when the treatment was finished I could do a 100% water change put the 2nd sponge I had in the display sump back in the QT and put the new one in the display for the next time an issue came up. This worked for me and I bought very few filters because rarely did I have anything show up on fish.

Breakthecycle2 · Mar 23, 2015

Than you.

Breakthecycle2 · Mar 24, 2015

I'm showing only traceable amounts of ammonia, 5PPM Nitrite and 40PPM nitrates. Is there anything I should do? The cycle is coming to end soon, right or should be?

glb · Mar 24, 2015

Your cycle is probably almost over. Once the ammonia and nitrites are zero, you can do a water change to bring down the nitrates.

Breakthecycle2 · Mar 24, 2015

But I have to wait until the Nitrites are zero, right? Sorry, I have been in the hobby for a few years, but all my tanks seemed to always cycle so quick because I used mature, cured live rock. This is new to me.

glb · Mar 24, 2015

Breakthecycle2 said:
But I have to wait until the Nitrites are zero, right? Sorry, I have been in the hobby for a few years, but all my tanks seemed to always cycle so quick because I used mature, cured live rock. This is new to me.

For the water change? I'd wait on it so you don't slow down the cycle. The only reason not to wait imo is if the nitrates get super high. Then it's hard to get them down without lots of water changes. As long as there's no livestock in the tank yet, I'd just wait. Good luck!

Breakthecycle2 · Mar 25, 2015

Ammonia is gone. How long does it take for the Nitrites to come down?

glb · Mar 25, 2015

Breakthecycle2 said:
Ammonia is gone. How long does it take for the Nitrites to come down?

In my experience you're on the tail end of the cycle. Usually getting rid of the nitrites takes less time than getting them towards the beginning of the cycle. I've used beneficial bacteria in my FW tanks to speed things up but have no experience with the salt water kinds.

Breakthecycle2 · Mar 27, 2015

Nitrites are down to .25 and Nitrates are 10PPM. Should I do a water change?

Breakthecycle2 · Mar 31, 2015

Cycled a few days ago. I purchased a deepwater snowbass who is in there now. My new tank came today. Just waiting for the movers to come to bring it in.