No HOB on QT Tank?

[LilElroyJetson]

Setting up a new QT. I no longer have my HOB filter. Going to use live rock that's been in my sump for months as well as some bottled bacteria. Would a couple pieces of live rock from my sump and water changes suffice in lieu of a HOB filter? I have a spare skimmer if that would work with the live rock instead of the HOB but is that even necessary with the weekly water changes on a 20G? The fish arrive Friday and I just realized I don't have the HOB, but if I can do without I would rather at this point. Maybe #reefsquad or @ngoodermuth can shed light on this? Thanks in advance!

 

[EmdeReef]

You don’t need a HOB for a QT. You need to have a pump to get some flow.

I would advise against live rock in a QT in case you have to medicate. You can use a bit of sand if you want.

 

[LilElroyJetson]

You don’t need a HOB for a QT. You need to have a pump to get some flow.

I would advise against live rock in a QT in case you have to medicate. You can use a bit of sand if you want.

Awesome. I have a power head for flow as well as all the other required equipment, just had previously used a HOB with sponge so wasn’t sure if I could do without it. The live rock I would grab is a small piece about the size of a softball that I wouldn’t mind tossing out after. Still not advisable to throw it in there? You think the bottled bacteria will suffice?

 

[EmdeReef]

Awesome. I have a power head for flow as well as all the other required equipment, just had previously used a HOB with sponge so wasn’t sure if I could do without it. The live rock I would grab is a small piece about the size of a softball that I wouldn’t mind tossing out after. Still not advisable to throw it in there? You think the bottled bacteria will suffice?

A small piece of live rock won’t hurt. May not be enough depending on the bioload.

I’ve found bottled bacteria to work pretty well too.

 

[LilElroyJetson]

A small piece of live rock won’t hurt. May not be enough depending on the bioload.

I’ve found bottled bacteria to work pretty well too.

Not very big but I figured something for the bacteria to take hold to over the weeks of quarantine is better than nothing? If it’s unnecessary though I’d rather leave it in the sump.

 

[nden]

Medicated qt? Live rock can absorb copper and release it out at a later time provided a "spike" in levels. Do you have a sponge filter you could use?

 

[LilElroyJetson]

Medicated qt? Live rock can absorb copper and release it out at a later time provided a "spike" in levels. Do you have a sponge filter you could use?

Yeah I figured I’d throw it out after the treatment was done but I guess that defeats the purpose of keeping it in there in the first place.

I could change out the sponge filter in the sump if I have a backup sponge lying around to replace it with. I have a marinepure block but it’s new in the box and hasn’t been sitting in the sump.

 

[Auto-pilot]

Hey from my current experience I have been doing great with bare bottom tank no HOB filter And a power head for my tank. I just change out 50% of the water every week and have an amonia badge(Highly advise). My qt is quite established though. The LR is a copper sponge. When using copper in a tank with a lot of rock/substrate it makes it hard to maintain levels as they obsorb it and release it making it kinda unstable. If your QT fish get sick it's important that you get the levels up to theropedic levels and the more you have in the tank the harder that can be.

 

[LilElroyJetson]

Hey from my current experience I might doing great with bare bottom tank no HOB filter And a power head for my tank. I just change out 50% of the water every week and have an amonia badge(Highly advise). My qt is quite established though. The LR is a copper sponge. When using copper in a tank with a lot of rock/substrate it makes it hard to maintain levels as they obsorb it and release it making it kinda unstable. If your QT fish get sick it's important that you get the levels up to theropedic levels and the more you have in the tank the harder that can be.

Thank you for this response, this is helpful. I do have an ammonia badge and think I’ll give the bare bottom with bottled bacteria method a go.

 

[Sailfinguy21]

Medicated qt? Live rock can absorb copper and release it out at a later time provided a "spike" in levels. Do you have a sponge filter you could use?

I dont believe that.

I used cupramine for weeks in my 135 display after i did hyposalinity for 2 months. And i have 140 lbs of sand and 150 lbs of rock.

And i have over 70 corals... tanks been runnung 3 months after cupraminr... no one has died.. even have shrimp and clams and snails ect.

All i did was use 1 pad of cuprisorb and activated carbon for a few weeks and put my corals right in

 

[Auto-pilot]

well depending on the type of live rock and conditions like time PH and temp Copper can defiantly leach into sand and LR. If you use something with copper sometimes its better to be safe than sorry. If you had a good experience it doesn't mean everyone will. I will agree that sometimes you can clear copper out of most rock and sand but its probably smart to just avoid the possibility of contaminating a tank with coral in it.