QT Tank biological filter

JVH · Jul 28, 2015

So I have a 20gL set up from a previous ick outbreak.. Tank was cleaned and tested for copper residue zero found. I have the following:
a small HOB
PH
heater
Cycled WC water from active tank.
4 pvc pieces and a few rocks from my 29g that's been set up.
a few coral frags from original tank.

I just started getting some diatoms so I am assuming it had cycled. It has been set up for several weeks like this. All parameters seemed stable but will check again prior to adding anything. I am worried about using it as a QT so I was going to take 1/2 my sponge from my 29G and put in the tank or HOB to keep the bio filter going.
Is that ok to do? Add the sponge?
I want to get a fish in QT while I'm waiting for my new set up to cure..
Any advice? I was also going to add Bio Spyra prior to adding fish.

saltyphish · Jul 28, 2015

The sponge is a common way to add bio filter to a tank. Most people keep one in their sump to seed it just for that purpose. Just remember to not add it back to the dt ever. Also if you medicate the QT do not keep the liverock in there since it will soak up the meds causing them to be less effective. Lastly don't place the liverock back in your DT. I keep a QT running full time in a separate room with live rock. I also don't medicate in that tank though. It is more of a observation tank for me.

JVH · Jul 28, 2015

saltyphish said:
The sponge is a common way to add bio filter to a tank. Most people keep one in their sump to seed it just for that purpose. Just remember to not add it back to the dt ever. Also if you medicate the QT do not keep the liverock in there since it will soak up the meds causing them to be less effective. Lastly don't place the liverock back in your DT. I keep a QT running full time in a separate room with live rock. I also don't medicate in that tank though. It is more of a observation tank for me.

That's what I am thinking! I don't plan to medicate. I just want to watch and make sure newcomers look healthy and are eating. I don't plan on adding copper or anything unless I get another outbreak of Ick..(hopefully never again!!) Then I will turn it into a hospital tank but I think until i'm fully stocked, I will keep it as a QT.. Any suggestions for a partition wall? I was possibly going to use some egg crate to make 2 halvs but its not here yet and I may get a couple of fish tomorrow. You think 20gl is to small for 2 or 3 newbies to settle in? Ill but the old sponge in tonight.