Question about cycling.

[Ruben's Reef]

I'm about to start running my saltwater 40g breeder just working to build the sump but I was reading about QT first and I don't want to make a big mistake of not QT.
I have two 10g that I'm not using. Also have about 15lbs of dry rock from Billy's Reef . Will be better to start cycling the 10g for QT now or wait until I cycle the 40g and then make the QT tank?
Thanks

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'm about to start running my saltwater 40g breeder just working to build the sump but I was reading about QT first and I don't want to make a big mistake of not QT.
I have two 10g that I'm not using. Also have about 15lbs of dry rock from Billy's Reef . Will be better to start cycling the 10g for QT now or wait until I cycle the 40g and then make the QT tank?
Thanks

Yes, cycle the qt tank now, because the fish are going to be in there for a good couple of weeks. And while the fish are in the cycled qt tank you can cycle your display tank.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

In all seriousness, I would go ahead and start cycling the QT a couple of weeks before you intend to get fish Having the 40 going at the same time will let you figure out how the whole thing works and you can work out any issues you might have before getting too far along.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Yes, cycle the qt tank now, because the fish are going to be in there for a good couple of weeks. And while the fish are in the cycled qt tank you can cycle your display tank.

Great, thanks. How many pounds of rock will be enough for the 10g? I have a AC70 as a HOB filter and couple of wave makers.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

In all seriousness, I would go ahead and start cycling the QT a couple of weeks before you intend to get fish Having the 40 going at the same time will let you figure out how the whole thing works and you can work out any issues you might have before getting too far along.

Thanks..

 

[rockstarta78]

If you are planning to prophylacticly treat your fish while in QT I would not put any rock in the QT tank. The rock will absorb your medicine. Copper or whatever you decide to use. QT is very debated topic, I personally QT all my fishes. Besides couple of PVC pieces I run my QT tank bare bottom with no rocks. Also, use a Seachem Ammonia Alert in your QT so you can monitor your ammonia. If you can run a seeded sponge in your tank that will help you with your biological filter as well.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Great, thanks. How many pounds of rock will be enough for the 10g? I have a AC70 as a HOB filter and couple of wave makers.

Honestly, I don't use any rock in my qt tank, just some pieces of PVC elbows and pipe for the fish to hide in.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Honestly, I don't use any rock in my qt tank, just some pieces of PVC elbows and pipe for the fish to hide in.

Well, that's the idea I have. I can start cycling the Qt before I setup the DT and then transfer the rock to the DT when is ready. Probably adding some kid of media to seed on the HOB filter before removing the rocks.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Well, that's the idea I have. I can start cycling the Qt before I setup the DT and then transfer the rock to the DT when is ready. Probably adding some kid of media to seed on the HOB filter before removing the rocks.

Only problem with that is you don't want anything from qt to make its way into the dt. I wouldn't take rock from a qt to a dt just in case there was anything on it. not worth the risk if you have to put all the fish back in qt again.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Only problem with that is you don't want anything from qt to make its way into the dt. I wouldn't take rock from a qt to a dt just in case there was anything on it. not worth the risk if you have to put all the fish back in qt again.

What I mean is that by the time the 10g QT is cycle and is ready to hold a fish, I may move the rock to the DT and probably the DT will still cycling too.

 

[Crabs McJones]

What I mean is that by the time the 10g QT is cycle and is ready to hold a fish, I may move the rock to the DT and probably the DT will still cycling too.

If you mean you're moving the rocks from QT to DT before putting your fish in but after quarantine is cycled then yes, that would be fine. Just not after you've already added fish as you don't want any ich eggs or anything to transfer over on your rock.

 

[Crabs McJones]

In all seriousness, I would go ahead and start cycling the QT a couple of weeks before you intend to get fish Having the 40 going at the same time will let you figure out how the whole thing works and you can work out any issues you might have before getting too far along.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

If you mean you're moving the rocks from QT to DT before putting your fish in but after quarantine is cycled then yes, that would be fine. Just not after you've already added fish as you don't want any ich eggs or anything to transfer over on your rock.

Exactly. Another question, sorry to bother you and tanks a lot for your help. My local LFS sell the Saltwater @ a $1 per gallon and another Saltwater for $1.50 per gallon and he told me is for corals. I plan to have corals later but do I need to get that water now for cycling or I can skip that until later?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Exactly. Another question, sorry to bother you and tanks a lot for your help. My local LFS sell the Saltwater @ a $1 per gallon and another Saltwater for $1.50 per gallon and he told me is for corals. I plan to have corals later but do I need to get that water now for cycling or I can skip that until later?

Just for cycling you can get the regular saltwater The stuff for corals has other elements that corals need, if there's no corals you don't need the other saltwater yet. On a side note I would highly recommend getting an RO and making your own saltwater at home. It saves you money in the long run And you're not a bother at all, that's what were here for

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Just for cycling you can get the regular saltwater The stuff for corals has other elements that corals need, if there's no corals you don't need the other saltwater yet. On a side note I would highly recommend getting an RO and making your own saltwater at home. It saves you money in the long run And you're not a bother at all, that's what were here for

Great. Thanks. About the RODI system, that's on my Must Have list. You're right, making my own water put me on control of the whole thing.