How do you keep empty QT tank cycled with no fish?

nim6us · Jul 1, 2019

After losing all my fish to ich I've decided to restart, but with a QT system this time. I left my main display tank fallow for 4 months, then took a blenny and foxface off a friend who was closing his tank down. He'd had the same fish for years so I was pretty sure they were ich free. Just the same I've left them in my main display 2 months and no ich.

FINALLY ready to restock!

When I added the blenny and the foxface I also added some marine pure balls to my sump with plans on using the media to kick start my QT tank. The QT tank is now setup, it's full of saltwater, and I'm ready to move the marine pure balls into it. However my concern is the bacteria obviously need something to live off of while I'm looking for my first new fish.

How do I keep my QT cycled without the bacteria dying off before I add fish?

ReeferReefer · Jul 1, 2019

The marine pure balls should be loaded with bacteria. You can also use a sponge in your sump, seed it and then use that to insta cycle the QT. That being said much of the bacteria will be killed off when dosing copper so regular water changes will likely still be needed.

nim6us · Jul 1, 2019

So what are you saying, wait to add the marine pure balls to the QT tank like a day before I add a fish and I should be fine?

Adamantium · Jul 1, 2019

nim6us said:
So what are you saying, wait to add the marine pure balls to the QT tank like a day before I add a fish and I should be fine?

That seems like the safest plan. I guess another way to go would be adding them now, and doing small doses of ammonia every day, or two, to keep the bacteria fed. Just make sure you test before adding anything so that all your levels are safe.

bluprntguy · Jul 1, 2019

It's pretty unlikely that the bacteria will die off, they don't need constant food to survive. If it's less than a month, I'd not worry about it. You can always drop some frozen food into the tank once a week or so if you are really concerned.

Unless your friend actively quarantined and treated his fish, I'd assume that they have ich and they've just developed enough resistance that it doesn't show up. I don't think you can assume that they are ich free.

ReeferReefer · Jul 1, 2019

bluprntguy said:
It's pretty unlikely that the bacteria will die off, they don't need constant food to survive. If it's less than a month, I'd not worry about it. You can always drop some frozen food into the tank once a week or so if you are really concerned.

Unless your friend actively quarantined and treated his fish, I'd assume that they have ich and they've just developed enough resistance that it doesn't show up. I don't think you can assume that they are ich free.

This. Assume any non QT'd fish has ich.

ca1ore · Jul 1, 2019

nim6us said:
So what are you saying, wait to add the marine pure balls to the QT tank like a day before I add a fish and I should be fine?

That’s what I do.

nim6us · Jul 1, 2019

Good advice thanks everyone!

Jholli90 · Jul 1, 2019

nim6us said:
After losing all my fish to ich I've decided to restart, but with a QT system this time. I left my main display tank fallow for 4 months, then took a blenny and foxface off a friend who was closing his tank down. He'd had the same fish for years so I was pretty sure they were ich free. Just the same I've left them in my main display 2 months and no ich.

FINALLY ready to restock!

When I added the blenny and the foxface I also added some marine pure balls to my sump with plans on using the media to kick start my QT tank. The QT tank is now setup, it's full of saltwater, and I'm ready to move the marine pure balls into it. However my concern is the bacteria obviously need something to live off of while I'm looking for my first new fish.

How do I keep my QT cycled without the bacteria dying off before I add fish?

I always do a with a water change on my DT when I buy a new fish. I take out 10 gallons and put it into my quarantine tank. But I normally have a couple months between fish, so I don't keep it up and running.

lapin · Jul 1, 2019

Why not run the fish thru the TTM, if its ich you are worried about?
Just an assumption.
You have the fish moved to a new tank every 2 to 3 days with new water. Min ammonia buildup. 2 weeks of observation while doing this so if they show signs of other things you can treat it.