Possibly stupid question about QT tanks

[Oceansize]

I'm convinced of the need for a QT tank, but I have yet to set one up yet. My aquarium budget is still mostly going towards building up my rock work, I barely have any non-bacterial life in my tank yet, so it's not a screaming priority yet.

My question about QT tanks is, I read that several people only set them up when necessary, which implies that you're acclimating or quarantining fish in an aquarium that hasn't been cycled. Does this mean that when you're quarantining something, you're doing daily water changes for several weeks, as long as the quarantine lasts? This sounds like a ton of work, although I've only ever had my 92 gallon tank so perhaps changing the water daily on a smaller qt tank won't be so daunting.

Another question is, if you keep your QT tank running all the time, how do you keep it cycled when it's empty?

 

[Oscaror]

yep pretty much. Ammonia alert badge and water changes and you're good to go

 

[Aquaph8]

We keep sponges from something like an aquaclear in our display sumps that are seeded, that way we can just pull a seeded sponge out and have an instant tank.

 

[143MPCo]

good resource: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-quarantine.189815/

 

[reefwiser]

You can dose ammonia to keep the bacteria alive. But using a sponge or some bio material in the Display tank is the best option.
Having a complete set of tools that are only used on a QT tank is best. Watch for sales at PetsMart of 10 gallon systems or a 14 gallon bio cube is a great QT tank.

 

[Oceansize]

We keep sponges from something like an aquaclear in our display sumps that are seeded, that way we can just pull a seeded sponge out and have an instant tank.

Ah didn't think of that. I don't have a sump. My filtration is a lot of live rock, a large canister filter w/bioballs & activated carbon, a protein skimmer, and a sulphur denitrator.

Do you think I could achieve the same effect by taking a few of the bioballs out of the canister and putting them in the QT?

 

[Oceansize]

You can dose ammonia to keep the bacteria alive. But using a sponge or some bio material in the Display tank is the best option.
Having a complete set of tools that are only used on a QT tank is best. Watch for sales at PetsMart of 10 gallon systems or a 14 gallon bio cube is a great QT tank.

Cool. Thanks for the lead on the tanks.

 

[Aquaph8]

Ah didn't think of that. I don't have a sump. My filtration is a lot of live rock, a large canister filter w/bioballs & activated carbon, a protein skimmer, and a sulphur denitrator.

Do you think I could achieve the same effect by taking a few of the bioballs out of the canister and putting them in the QT?

Could just put the sponge somewhere in your tank.

 

[wrassegauche17]

wouldn't count on ammonia badge

 

[pdiehm]

I have a 20g Long as a permanent QT tank while I'm stocking. AquaClear 70 filter, heater, some PVC and a piece of pukani rock that I couldn't find a spot for in my display.

Once my first 2 clowns go in the main QT after completing 4 transfers of tank transfer, will be testing ammonia every other day in addition to checking the ammonia badge.

Once the tank is fully stocked, will keep the AC70 filter media in my sump to stay seeded.