Reuse QT?

[Cflip]

just checking. Is it OK to reuse my copper water QT without sterilizing? I did not have an outbreak of anything just used it for the 30 day preventive QT.

 

[Maritimer]

While it can be done, it's probably a better bet to clean it out and start fresh.

There are bacteria growing on the surfaces in your tank. Some will convert ammonia, some will break down meds like Prazi-Pro - and some will infect your new fish.

~Bruce, who's made this mistake . . .

 

[melypr1985]

Agreed with bruce ^^^. It's always better to break down a QT and sterilize it before running a new batch of fish through it.

 

[Cflip]

Agreed with bruce ^^^. It's always better to break down a QT and sterilize it before running a new batch of fish through it.

Ok thanks. You guys have gotten me this far so I'm going to do as suggested! How long does a sponge need to be in my DT before I can use it in my QT?

 

[Maritimer]

The longer, the better - but on shorter notice, you can "seed" a sponge with Dr. Tim's or Bio-Spira to crank up a colony of bacteria. Both of those, from what I've been given to understand, are "active" bacteria products, ready to reduce ammonia right out of the bottle.

(I have sponges in my sump, though... one of 'em has been there a couple of months.)

~Bruce

 

[Cflip]

The longer, the better - but on shorter notice, you can "seed" a sponge with Dr. Tim's or Bio-Spira to crank up a colony of bacteria. Both of those, from what I've been given to understand, are "active" bacteria products, ready to reduce ammonia right out of the bottle.

(I have sponges in my sump, though... one of 'em has been there a couple of months.)

~Bruce

Yes I've been using Dr Tim's. But was hoping to use a sponge from my own tank this time. Tired of seeing QT all over so I guess I'll go that route again.

 

[melypr1985]

Ok thanks. You guys have gotten me this far so I'm going to do as suggested! How long does a sponge need to be in my DT before I can use it in my QT?

I agree with Bruce, but to answer your question... I usually wait a month before using a sponge from my display. Longer, as stated, is always better.

 

[Ocelaris]

I've been using chaeto lately as it's loaded with detritus and presumably bacteria to seed my quarantine tank that has a Sponge that's only a week old in the sump. Together those seem to jump start the process. It's hard with ttm to have enough seeded sponges to transfer 4 times, but chaeto usually has been in there for a long time and I usually have a ton of it.