Cycling Quarantine Tank

[kpoj9]

For people who quarantine their fish... how long do you cycle your QT prior to adding new fish? Do you use any quick cycle chemicals? Do you use other methods... ex. MT water and filter media to kick start the process?

 

[CK00020]

Bio spira pretty muck does it in like 2 days maybe less

 

[Spare time]

Biomedia and bacteria

 

[Bnutz]

I'm setting up a qt now. I plan on using some live rock from a dt and an aquaclear 70 with rubble rock and the sponge that I put on a dt about 2 months ago

 

[SaltyT]

Some folks will disagree, but I’ve never cycled a QT. Bio-Spira, an ammonia badge and water changes have worked for me for 8 years.

 

[CK00020]

It’s pretty much instant with bio spira

 

[JCTReefer]

Bottle of Biospira dumped in the back of power filter. Just pour the whole bottle over the sponge. Power filter turned off. Let soak for a couple of hours, then turn filter on. The power filter is primed though. So there a bit of saltwater already in the filter with the sponge. Just enough that when you add the bottle of bacteria the sponge is completely covered with the bacteria/saltwater solution, but stays concentrated in the filter and doesn’t run back in the tank. I’ve don’t this several times and cycle is pretty much instant. Like it can digest 2ppm ammonia in 24 hours the following day.

 

[DS5000]

how often would u do water changes?

 

[tankstudy]

how often would u do water changes?

I do water changes based on an the amount of nitrates. If it starts going over 30-40 ppm, I'll do a water change. Some will wait till it's much higher.

 

[DS5000]

You doing ~10-20% WC, or more?

 

[dzfish17]

I ghost feed the qt tank whether or not I have fish in it... A few tiny pellets every few days keeps the tank ready.

 

[tankstudy]

You doing ~10-20% WC, or more?

Depends on my nitrates. If I want it to drop from 40 ppm to 30 ppm, I'll do a 25% water change.