Setting up a quarantine tank

[Michael v]

I don’t have access to an established reef tank. Can I just mix up saltwater or should I put something in to precycle the tank?

 

[DLHDesign]

That depends upon your situation...
If you are dealing with an emergency (velvet outbreak or the like), then setting up a QT with new saltwater - which can be ramped up with some meds quickly - is the right play.
If you are getting new fish in, then seeding the QT with some bacteria (from Fritz TurboStart or the like) would be ideal.

In a pinch, new saltwater can be "buffered" with something like Seachem Prime to prevent ammonia, though this is a band-aid more than a long-term plan...

 

[Michael v]

I’m just starting my cycle on my main tank and was thinking of quarantining my first fish so they would be ready at the same time.

 

[BigMan87]

I’m just starting my cycle on my main tank and was thinking of quarantining my first fish so they would be ready at the same time.

I waited until I cycled my tank to buy my first fish. When I see up my QT, I mixed a fresh batch of SW and added a bottle of bacteria to the sponge of the filter. I've had them a week so far and haven't had any issues. Hope that helps.

 

[Billldg]

You can use bio spira and a sponge air filter. I have had then running in under 2 days before I put fish in them. If you have a little more time then use bio spira and put in a little ammonia concentrate to help build up the bacteria you just introduced. I never use anything from my tank, I just put in new saltwater, at 1.020 salanity and add bio spira, and use a sponge filter.

I would wait at least a week or 2 before starting a QT as anything can happen in a tank cycle, my DT was cycled in under 2 weeks, others have takin as long as 6 weeks.

 

[Michael E.]

i always quarantine my fish for 31-60 days. I never save QT water and never wait for it to cycle. I mix fresh SW, add some bacteria and start with a treatment plan. As long as you keep an eye on ammonia, the fish will be fine. Ive never had an issue in the 5 years of been QT'ing fish. I think getting the fish in QT now is a good idea. Something ill probably do when i upgrade my tank

 

[DLHDesign]

AWESOME IDEA!!!! :-D

Yes; new salt water is fine for your situation. Make sure to keep your feedings low. 10-15min after you feed, siphon out any extra food in the QT. That will remove the nutrient source that will turn into ammonia - which reduces the need for a large bacteria colony that comes with a cycled tank. Make sure that you have some Ammonia Badges in your QT to keep from having to manually test the water.

(Let me know if you need purchase links to any of this stuff - happy to provide.)

 

[Michael v]

Yeah thanks

 

[DLHDesign]

Ammonia Badge
Seachem Prime (for emergencies)
Bacteria in a bottle (for seeding a new tank)