How do you keep your QT tank clean

[Breakthecycle2]

I have to admit, I am getting burned out here. I have two moorish idols and a female pintail fairy wrasse in QT. I feed two times a day...mysis, raw fish eggs, nori etc. The water quality is suffering. It becomes very cloudy and almost yellowish. I am changing 15-25 gallons of water every day. I am also dosing copper safe. Could I possible use some chemipure elite to help with the water clarity? Would it greatly affect the copper levels? The tank is a 40 breeder with just a heater, powerhead and HOB filter. I am tired of burning through salt. I using almost a 200 gallon bucket every two weeks.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

You may already do some of this:

• I use massively oversized HOB filters for stand-alone QT's. Like an AQ70 on a 10 gallon.
• Soak and drain water off mysis (don't rinse).
• Fish eggs will kill water quality quickly, but might be necessary to get those finicky eaters going.
• Siphon all uneaten food after feedings.

Sounds like you're using a pretty big QT tank too if changing 15-25 gals/day. I use the smallest tank possible and get them through a.s.a.p. In general it can be a P.I.T.A., but well worth it as you know.

No experience with Chemi Pure, but Boyd says it will remove copper.

 

[melypr1985]

Good advice above. You need to get your bio filter established to handle that kind of bio load (bottled bacteria) I've been using a bio media that is ceramic and has a great potential to hold massive amounts of bacteria in a small space. I forget the name but will find the bottle and check if your interested. When that happens, still suck out all uneaten food ect. Never do a water change before feeding- that kind of thing.

 

[melypr1985]

This is what im using in my hob filter. I have a 40 breeder qt as well with 7 fish in it. No problem with ammonia once i added this.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

I don't have an ammonia issue. I think it's just a waste issue.

 

[melypr1985]

I don't have an ammonia issue. I think it's just a waste issue.

Then you may just need a bigger filter for the tank. You could even put a skimmer on there, but i feel that's going overboard... plus for some meds you have to turn off the skimmer which wont help.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

I had a HOB rated for a 50 gallon. I just bought a new one rated for a 90.

 

[Humblefish]

Is there leftover food or poop on the bottom of the QT? What I like to do is use airline hose (or thin vinyl tubing) so I can suck out the crap without wasting too much water.

Also, is your QT near a window or does it get direct sunlight?

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Is there leftover food or poop on the bottom of the QT? What I like to do is use airline hose (or thin vinyl tubing) so I can suck out the crap without wasting too much water.

Also, is your QT near a window or does it get direct sunlight?

Its next to a window but the blinds are closed and it's a basement. My mantis shrimp tank is next to it and the water is clear. It's poop and food sometimes. The water almost looks yellowish

 

[RMS18]

When i used copper it made my water have a yellow tint, same with the salt creep. Every 3 days i do a 1/3 water change but i use clear tubing and suck up left over food and poop in the PVC pipes and around the tank. I also clean the filter out and clean the tank glass and bottom. My water is crystal clear without copper.