Water from fallow DT to new QT

[mlivvy]

Can I use some water from my DT thats been fallow for months in a new QT setup? Just trying to help it cycle.

 

[wiggitywade]

I would make new clean water to start the QT just to be safe. You can seed media with bacteria from your tank to add to the QT then dose with bacteria also. Here's a link with the best breakdown of a QT I've seen. I'm new to this but setting up my QT right now as well so lots of reading.

How to Quarantine

How to Setup a Quarantine Tank The following are the bare essentials: Aquarium (10-30 gallons seems to work for most people. Bigger QT lets you house more fish and gives you more wiggle room when it comes to ammonia. Smaller QT is cheaper, easier to maintain and can be setup/broke down...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Can I use some water from my DT thats been fallow for months in a new QT setup? Just trying to help it cycle.

Very few bacteria will be conferred by the water itself, nitrifying bacteria live on substrates. What I do is run a sponge filter in the sump of the DT, and have it ready to use. However, you need to do that a couple of months in advance of needing it.
Depending on your set up, you might be able to rinse some beneficial bacteria off your filter media in the DT, or even off the sand.
Jay

 

[mlivvy]

Thanks guys. I have these bricks in my DT sump. Could I move a few to the QT? I'm just afraid of anything dormant living on it.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thanks guys. I have these bricks in my DT sump. Could I move a few to the QT? I'm just afraid of anything dormant living on it.

No worries about anything dormant - you’ll be treating for common pathogens during quarantine, and then the fish move into the DT anyway.
Jay