I don't understand QT tanks

[lookatmyfeesh]

So, you need to have your display tank cycled and with all the bacteria needed to keep your fish alive. You need to test the water regularly, and make adjustments as needed, you need powerheads, lighting, ect ect.....yet you put your fish in an empty tank with nothing but pvc pipe and a filter and heater? I don't understand how it's so important to have a display tank near perfect, but you can throw a fish into an empty QT tank for 2-4 weeks?

 

[Rubberfrog]

The qt needs to be cycled also

 

[mdb_talon]

I would not qt without adding some established media(live rock, bioblock,etc).. The lighting is really for your benefit not the fish so not key in a QT for fish. Powerhead/water movement of some sort is also necessary for QT.

 

[polyppal]

Well, a little research and using the search function would answer your question in depth, but you should use some kind of sponge/hob filter (that has been cycled) in your QT too.

 

[Azedenkae]

So, you need to have your display tank cycled and with all the bacteria needed to keep your fish alive. You need to test the water regularly, and make adjustments as needed, you need powerheads, lighting, ect ect.....yet you put your fish in an empty tank with nothing but pvc pipe and a filter and heater? I don't understand how it's so important to have a display tank near perfect, but you can throw a fish into an empty QT tank for 2-4 weeks?

Yep, the QT tank needs to be cycled too. That, or lots and lots and lots of water changes. Or significantly lower feeding.

 

[lookatmyfeesh]

The qt needs to be cycled also

thats the opposite of what everything says

 

[lookatmyfeesh]

Yep, the QT tank needs to be cycled too. That, or lots and lots and lots of water changes. Or significantly lower feeding.

im so confused, literally everything says not to cycle it because copper will just get absorbed by the rocks and sand and it will kill the bacteria?

 

[lookatmyfeesh]

Well, a little research and using the search function would answer your question in depth, but you should use some kind of sponge/hob filter (that has been cycled) in your QT too.

well, a little research led me here because everything says not to do what i thought i had to do but thanks for being rude for absolutely NO REASON

 

[Kristopher Conlin]

I keep some ceramic biomedia balls in my sump and if I have to set up a qt I take one or two out to add instant biological bacteria to the qt. The only parameters that matter for fish are temperature, salinity, ammonia, nitrite and in some cases nitrate. Adding the biomedia instantly solves the latter three. You should be testing salinity when filling the qt and when water changing. And of course a heater is important.

Display tanks are generally lot more work and require more testing because of the Corals.

 

[lookatmyfeesh]

The qt needs to be cycled also

but everything says not to do that or to add live rock or sand?

 

[Kristopher Conlin]

im so confused, literally everything says not to cycle it because copper will just get absorbed by the rocks and sand and it will kill the bacteria?

Not everyone qts with copper. And it won't kill the bacteria to my knowledge. Just be absorbed into the media and you will be unable to use it in a display tank with corals and inverts again.

 

[polyppal]

thats the opposite of what everything says

Read this:

How To - Quarantine

How to Setup a Quarantine Tank (updated 4-6-2023) The following are the essentials: Aquarium (10-30 gallons seems to work for most people. A larger QT lets you house more fish and gives you more wiggle room when it comes to ammonia. A smaller QT is cheaper, easier to maintain and can be...

humble.fish

 

[lookatmyfeesh]

I would not qt without adding some established media(live rock, bioblock,etc).. The lighting is really for your benefit not the fish so not key in a QT for fish. Powerhead/water movement of some sort is also necessary for QT.

see thats what i dont get, everyone is saying sand and rock will absorb the copper treatments?

 

[Kristopher Conlin]

but everything says not to do that or to add live rock or sand?

If you don't cycle you will either need to od heavy water changes to keep ammonia and nitrite low. Or use something like prime that neutralizes ammonia.

 

[lookatmyfeesh]

Not everyone qts with copper. And it won't kill the bacteria to my knowledge. Just be absorbed into the media and you will be unable to use it in a display tank with corals and inverts again.

so, do i just QT to monitor the fish and thats it? and only dose copper if needed? there seems to be no real solid answers on this

 

[lookatmyfeesh]

Read this:

How To - Quarantine

How to Setup a Quarantine Tank (updated 4-6-2023) The following are the essentials: Aquarium (10-30 gallons seems to work for most people. A larger QT lets you house more fish and gives you more wiggle room when it comes to ammonia. A smaller QT is cheaper, easier to maintain and can be...

humble.fish

im literally being berated on fishtok for having live rock and live sand in my QT tank, everyones saying not to cycle it

 

[Kristopher Conlin]

so, do i just QT to monitor the fish and thats it? and only dose copper if needed? there seems to be no real solid answers on this

That's because there are a lot of ways to do the same thing. Some people proactively treat with copper or prazipro as a precautions. Some people do it because the fish are showing symptoms of an illness.

 

[DaddyFish]

I typically do cycle my QT if I know in advance I have incoming fish. But in the case of disease outbreak there's typically no time to waste.
Under those circumstances you have to use other methods to control ammonia until the QT reaches an initial cycle using a HOB, canister or whatever type filtration along with bottle bacteria.

 

[polyppal]

well, a little research led me here because everything says not to do what i thought i had to do but thanks for being rude for absolutely NO REASON

Idk why you presume I am rude by suggesting you research the readily available content for answers to your questions, but I dont really care one way or another. You sound a little high strung, good luck to you lol...

 

[lookatmyfeesh]

That's because there are a lot of ways to do the same thing. Some people proactively treat with copper or prazipro as a precautions. Some people do it because the fish are showing symptoms of an illness.

so is it ok to just QT with no medication unless the fish is noticeably ill?