Frag Qt Plan

[DirtDiggler2823]

Hey everyone, I'm close to filling my DT, and I have a 46 bowfront for my fish qt, but I'm not sure how to proceed with qt for inverts and corals. I was thinking 5.5 gallon tanks with HOB filters for the corals, but up until today, i hadn't thought about qt-ing my CUC or other inverts or how to go about doing it properly. If ya'll could send some advice my way, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm trying to start cycling my tank this month, and i figure i could qt my first batch of fish at the same time.

 

[EYE-CANDY AQUATICS]

I’ve never qt my clean up crew. I normally set up a 40 breeder for my fish and at for 60 days and then I have an old oceanic biocube I qt all my coral in for 2-3 months to ensure no pests or algae get into my systems. Way to much money in the dt and grow out tanks to have pests and diseases or algae’s get in. Always qt!!!

 

[TheEngineer]

CUC QT is just like coral QT. 76 days in a fishless environment. The exception are inverts that molt, like shrimp and crabs. Once they molt they are safe to go into the DT.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

CUC QT is just like coral QT. 76 days in a fishless environment. The exception are inverts that molt, like shrimp and crabs. Once they molt they are safe to go into the DT.

How big of a tank do i need for invert QT?

 

[TheEngineer]

How big of a tank do i need for invert QT?

Depends on what kind and how many but generally speaking a 10g would be plenty. A 5g might be a little cramped

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Depends on what kind and how many but generally speaking a 10g would be plenty. A 5g might be a little cramped

I have a few 5.5 gallon tanks. I figure for basic inverts and cuc that an airstone and power filter would suffice. For corals, I'd add a light.

 

[TheEngineer]

Yup

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Yup

Sweet. Since my DT is still dry, would it be safe to get CUC and fish now for QT while it cycles so that the QT is done before adding them to the DT? I plan on kicking off the cycling process before Christmas.

 

[TheEngineer]

That’s a great plan. Smart to QT right from the start.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

That’s a great plan. Smart to QT right from the start.

Thanks. I suppose this is the route I'll take. What about pods? Just add those after the tank cycles?

 

[TheEngineer]

Hmmm. Haven’t thought about when to add them wrt a cycle. I have no idea!

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Hmmm. Haven’t thought about when to add them wrt a cycle. I have no idea!

Maybe I'll add them first. They should help with the tank uglies i suppose.

 

[TheEngineer]

Maybe I'll add them first. They should help with the tank uglies i suppose.

Or die off because of the cycling. I’d wait until the same time you’d add a clean up crew personally.

Maybe someone else from #reefsquad has another thought.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Or die off because of the cycling. I’d wait until the same time you’d add a clean up crew personally.

Maybe someone else from #reefsquad has another thought.

I'd add them after the cycle, not during. But maybe the reefsquad could help with this.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

I worked things a little different than most folks. I added pods after my cycle was complete while my fish and inverts where in qt. That gave my system 2 months for the pod population to take off.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

I worked things a little different than most folks. I added pods after my cycle was complete while my fish and inverts where in qt. That gave my system 2 months for the pod population to take off.

How did you sustain the population?

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Fed Phyto and the algea/diatoms from the cycle

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Fed Phyto and the algea/diatoms from the cycle

Awesome. Good idea.

 

[JoshH]

Toss the pods in whenever you wish as long as you are feeding them, pods can handle FAR harsher environments than your fish. This according to Chad at reef nutrition anyway, I don't think any of there pod cultures are ammonia free lol I will be adding mine shortly after starting my cycle.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Toss the pods in whenever you wish as long as you are feeding them, pods can handle FAR harsher environments than your fish. This according to Chad at reef nutrition anyway, I don't think any of there pod cultures are ammonia free lol I will be adding mine shortly after starting my cycle.

No idea why I thought they would be fragile, but it's good to know that they can handle harsh environments. I had no idea, honestly.