QT Tank

[punkieg0]

Hi All,
I have set up a QT tank and cycled it a few months ago. I have kept it running but actually did not need to use it until now. I am expecting a hawkfish to come in this week. I have done a few water changes and have made sure it is up to temp and salinity for my newcomer.
Question that I just thought of this morning. Have I needed to feed the tank during this time? I still have some biospira I can put in there tonight if needed and I will be doing a full test on the tank tonight just to make sure.
But I have not been feeding the tank anything. Is this going to be a problem? And in the future, if I leave this tank up and running should I be doing that?

Thanks!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Dump the biospira in. better safe than sorry. If you wern't feeding the bacteria during those months there is a chance that it died off without an ammonia source.

 

[Big G]

Great questions. If you are dosing meds and or copper, etc., it's a good idea to tear down the tank, sterilize tank, equipment to remove bio film, residue of meds, copper, etc.
Ghost feeding a fishless tank is a good idea. The bacteria will reduce in numbers and go dormant eventually.
Biospira is very good. Can always add some when doing water changes to boost the good bacteria. I soak my HOB filter foam pads, the bag of ceramic filter material (Fluval BioMax), bubble filter's foam pad, in either Biospira or Seachem's Stability. Have found Seachem's Stability creates a bit stronger and resilient bio environment in my QTs. And it doesn't have the shelf life problem that Biospira has.
Best of luck with your new Hawkfish.