Setting up a QT

[BarbH]

Okay I know that this question gets asked often, but I am getting ready to set up my qt tank. My cycle on my 72 is going well and with the numbers that I am getting, hoping that it will be done in the next couple of weeks. I decided that now would probably be a good time to go ahead and set up my qt, and also maybe get my first fish. My plans are to qt all new additions for 4 to 6 weeks before adding them to my main tank. How long do people qt their fish for?

For my qt I will be using a 20 gallon tank, I already have a heater for this tank. I have a hob filter that I am thinking of using on this tank to help with filtering the water some and creating some water movement. I will be picking up some different pvc fittings to provide hiding places for my fish. The qt will be bare bottom for ease of cleaning. Do I need to add a powerhead to the tank for circulation or will the hob filter be fine for that? From my understanding with regular checking of water parameters and water changes a qt does not need to be cycled the same way the main tank does. Is my understanding correct?

 

[soccerbag]

First off, bravo for QT'ing your fish. It is the smart and responsible thing to do in this hobby. You equipment sounds just fine. You didn't mention a light but any light will do. Barebottom is preferred and PVC for hiding places will work well. You will want to ensure that the parameters are close to what your tank will be (if not exactly the same) to make the transfer easier. 4-6 weeks of QT should be just fine (as long as you do not notice ANY ich, flukes, etc). Any sign of those should reset the clock. It is really the only way you can ensure that the fish do not carry disease into the display.

You can always use a low powered maxijet powerhead in the tank if you want some extra movement. However, in that small of a tank, the HOB should provide plenty of oxygen. The powerhead would mainly be used to keep the detritus / food leftovers stirred up.

You're off to a great start! Good stuff : )

 

[BarbH]

First off, bravo for QT'ing your fish. It is the smart and responsible thing to do in this hobby. You equipment sounds just fine. You didn't mention a light but any light will do. Barebottom is preferred and PVC for hiding places will work well. You will want to ensure that the parameters are close to what your tank will be (if not exactly the same) to make the transfer easier. 4-6 weeks of QT should be just fine (as long as you do not notice ANY ich, flukes, etc). Any sign of those should reset the clock. It is really the only way you can ensure that the fish do not carry disease into the display.

You can always use a low powered maxijet powerhead in the tank if you want some extra movement. However, in that small of a tank, the HOB should provide plenty of oxygen. The powerhead would mainly be used to keep the detritus / food leftovers stirred up.

You're off to a great start! Good stuff : )

Thanks, for the lighting it is a basic t8 fixture that I will be using. For matching the parameters of my qt to my display would using water from my display tank that I take out for water changes work? At this time still finishing the cycle on the display so will not use that water for the fact that I am getting nitrite readings. But once my display tank cycles the water that I would remove for water changes would be alright for the qt?

Looks like I should start thinking about getting some water made up for my qt. Have a feeling I will be making more rodi water this weekend :smile:

 

[soccerbag]

When I am QT'ing a fish, I use water directly out of my main system. It is the best way to ensure the parameters are correct (assuming the display parameters are good). You do need to keep a close eye on the salinity of the QT tank - especially for sensitive fish. The less stress the better. Of course, temp and Ammonia are key things to keep in check as well. As water evaporates, if the salinity is low, I will top off from my main system. If it's high, I will top off with fresh RODI.

When you are running a QT, it is always good to have extra fresh RODI on hand. If there is Ich present, you may need to lower the salinity to help treat (hypo) the ich. It helps to have that water on hand. You can always store extra RODI in 5 gallon buckets. If you have it left over after QT, then you can use it for main top-off or mix it with salt for water changes.

 

[BarbH]

Sounds good, I already have a 20 gallon brute container that I am using to store rodi water in, planning on getting another brute container to be able to store and mix sw in. Once my nitrites are gone from my display tank I will the water from my display for my qt.

 

[Dowtish]

It is much better to have the tank cycled IMO, but only 20 gallons isnt too hard to keep up with. I highly suggest keeping some Prime, or some other ammonia arresting product, just in case.

 

[BarbH]

It is much better to have the tank cycled IMO, but only 20 gallons isnt too hard to keep up with. I highly suggest keeping some Prime, or some other ammonia arresting product, just in case.

Are you talking about cycling the qt tank? The display tank will be completely cycled before I add anything into it. My understanding is that with a qt/hospital tank that usually most people don't worry about cycling it but keep the water parameters in check through water changes.

 

[Mike&Terry]

Hi Barb,
We have a 20g Long tank that we use for QT. I can tell you, it will be much easier for you if you do cycle the tank. Otherwise, you will really have to be careful with feedings and you will definitely have to do a lot more water changes.

Our QT is setup with a titanium heater, a 120v battery backup air pump (turns on during a power outage), an Aqua Clear 70 (we use 2 sponges), and a Seachem Ammonia Alert Badge. We also keep on hand an ammonia test kit and Prime.

We do not fill our tank completely. We have taken a permanent ink marker and marked a fill line on the glass so that we know how much top-off water to add daily to keep the salinity stable. I'm paranoid, so I still check the salinity at least every couple of days and when using hypo to treat fish, I check at least once, sometimes twice a day.

We treat all of our fish with Prazipro as a preventative for flukes and worms. Otherwise, we just observe for signs of other disease and treat only as necessary.

-Terry

 

[BarbH]

Thanks Terry

Like the idea of marking the tank for the fill line. Have placed the filter insert of the hob in the display to allow some bacteria to hopefully colonize it before I get the qt set up. Will be checking the parameters of the water for the qt on a daily basis. I have some amquel plus which is like prime and detoxifies ammonia in case I need it.