QT Questions

Baby Ray · Jul 10, 2016

I have a few questions about QT tanks
1. Can I cycle the tank without having any filtration, water movement or heater?
2. Will a Marinland HOB filter (rated for a 20 gallon tank) and a HOB Fuge be enough filtration for a 15 gallon QT?
3. When the tank finishes cycling, what do I have to do to keep the parameters stable (without doing large and weekly water changes)?
4. What should I put in the HOB filter? Sponge? Carbon?
5. How often should I change the media in the filter?
Thanks for your help!!

twilliard · Jul 10, 2016

@melypr1985
@Humblefish
Will have some great answers for you
When I set my QT up I fill it a month ahead of time take one of my larger rocks and put it in.
I use a normal hang on filter
Heater
(I also use a skimmer on mine but not needed)

Baby Ray · Jul 10, 2016

twilliard said:
@melypr1985
@Humblefish
Will have some great answers for you
When I set my QT up I fill it a month ahead of time take one of my larger rocks and put it in.
I use a normal hang on filter
Heater
(I also use a skimmer on mine but not needed)

Thanks!!!
Did you cycle the tank without the filter?
I don't have a filter yet but I would like to start the cycle now. I could put an HOB fuge on it if it is necessary.

twilliard · Jul 10, 2016

I use the filter to catch particulates and that's about its only job.
The cycle comes from my large rock.
If I get an ich outbreak on the fish the rock becomes a doorstop as I shut down the QT and put back in storrage.

Baby Ray · Jul 10, 2016

twilliard said:
I use the filter to catch particulates and that's about its only job.
The cycle comes from my large rock.
If I get an ich outbreak on the fish the rock becomes a doorstop as I shut down the QT and put back in storrage.

So can I cycle a tank without any filtration?

twilliard · Jul 10, 2016

Yes filtration is only needed for cleanup.
Now some people put a sponge in these filters to introduce the bacteria I just happen to use rock from my main tank.

Baby Ray · Jul 10, 2016

twilliard said:
Yes filtration is only needed for cleanup.
Now some people put a sponge in these filters to introduce the bacteria I just happen to use rock from my main tank.

I might use carbon too because I am going to have the filter and an HOB fuge that will have cheato and rubble in it from my DT.

Humblefish · Jul 10, 2016

@Baby Ray Is the Marineland HOB filter you have the one with a bio-wheel?

Baby Ray · Jul 10, 2016

Humblefish said:
@Baby Ray Is the Marineland HOB filter you have the one with a bio-wheel?

Well, I don't have it yet. I do have these 2 used HOB filters that a friend gave me (business card for reference)
If I put cheato and live rock in one from my DT and chemipure blue and a sponge in the other could it work?

Baby Ray · Jul 10, 2016

I am going to run vinegar water through both of the filters for a couple of hours and see how they clean up

Humblefish · Jul 10, 2016

@Baby Ray I would put sponges in both of those, and small pieces of LR on top of the sponges to help seed them. The LR should then be removed before adding new fish or at the very least before adding any medications.

Baby Ray · Jul 10, 2016

Humblefish said:
@Baby Ray I would put sponges in both of those, and small pieces of LR on top of the sponges to help seed them. The LR should then be removed before adding new fish or at the very least before adding any medications.

Well, I was running them in vinegar and the bigger filter was almost shot. It still ran but I was really loud so I trashed it. What you of filter would you recommend. I am still going to use the small one to put rubble in. Why do you take the LR out before you put a fish in?
What type of filter would be the best?
Thanks!!!

Baby Ray · Jul 10, 2016

@Humblefish

Humblefish · Jul 10, 2016

Baby Ray said:
Well, I was running them in vinegar and the bigger filter was almost shot. It still ran but I was really loud so I trashed it. What you of filter would you recommend. I am still going to use the small one to put rubble in. Why do you take the LR out before you put a fish in?
What type of filter would be the best?
Thanks!!!

For a 15 gal QT I would use an Aquaclear 50: https://www.amazon.com/AquaClear-50-Power-Filter-Listed/dp/B000260FUM

Those come with a sponge (to seed) and you always have the option of turning down the flow. So, bigger is better.

The bio-wheel is cheaper (and a good HOB for a QT), but the replacement bio-wheels are a lot more expensive than replacement sponges for the AC: https://www.amazon.com/Marineland-P...UTF8&qid=1468187002&sr=1-3&keywords=bio-wheel

Duke4Life · Jul 10, 2016

The reason for taking the rock out is so that any disease doesn't have a chance 2 containamate it and so no meds get absorbed in it.

melypr1985 · Jul 10, 2016

Baby Ray said:
I have a few questions about QT tanks
1. Can I cycle the tank without having any filtration, water movement or heater?
2. Will a Marinland HOB filter (rated for a 20 gallon tank) and a HOB Fuge be enough filtration for a 15 gallon QT?
3. When the tank finishes cycling, what do I have to do to keep the parameters stable (without doing large and weekly water changes)?
4. What should I put in the HOB filter? Sponge? Carbon?
5. How often should I change the media in the filter?
Thanks for your help!!

1. You really need something for bacteria to grow on for the tank to cycle properly.... such as a sponge in a filter to provide the water movement the bacteria needs.
2. I would go with a bigger filter. Humblefish recommending the AC 50 which is a good brand and size.
3. Water changes, just like any other tank will keep things right for you. Make sure you monitor the temp and salinity as those are going to be the next biggest issue for you besides ammonia.
4. Sponge for sure and something to seed it with. If you dont want to use live rock bits, then a bacteria in a bottle product will work.
5. I would change the sponge every time you get a new batch of fish. Keep them in the sump so they are already seeded with bacteria and ready to rock. If it's dirty then just shake it out in some old water change water and put it back in the filter.

I know I'm late to the party here, but figured I'd answer in my own way anyway. Good luck!

Baby Ray · Jul 10, 2016

Thank you everyone!!!
I have a pretty good idea of what I am going to do. Thanks for all of your responses

Baby Ray · Jul 10, 2016

I just thought of another questions

If I don't use any medications or none of the fish in my QT are sick can I just use the same wheel in the marine land filter and just replace the cartridge?