Whats needed 20g QT tank?

[Isoprene]

I had started a thread some time back of a 20g long and it fizzled into what is now my QT tank. However every fish I have put in it has died...I lost a little petco rescue clown the other day. After he died the tank went super foggy and I am thinking of just plain restarting the whole thing as strictly QT. I have rock, sand, heater, and a HOB for a 20 gallon to work with and that's about it. Can anyone answer some questions or point me to some good articles?

Should I use sand at all?

Should I use rock at all?

Whats the overall best setup? I don't care about looks. I also don't want to buy any other equipment and I want it to be a strictly QT tank.

Does it need to cycle like regular tanks? After it cycles do I need to add a fish to keep the cycle going? Do i need snails / cleanup crew?

Any info or help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Bry]

For purely a QT tank you don't need or want sand unless its going to quarantine a fish that needs sand. If you treat the tank with copper or other medications the sand will absorb some and then will release it back into the tank.

Same goes for the rock. I do have a couple of pieces of live rock in my QT tank. One - it helps with filtration and Two - a little more natural for the fish. That rock however will stay in my QT forever since it has been in the tank with copper.

You are better off to cycle the tank before adding fish otherwise water changes to keep ammonia at bay are a daily routine. My QT setup uses a HOB filter with a sponge added for bacteria to grow for filtration. When its not in use with a fish I leave it running and add small amounts of straight ammonia to feed the bacteria and keep it cycled and ready for any new fish I purchase.

Hope that helps.

 

[Isoprene]

that helps tons, where did you get the ammonia at what concentration? how much per gallon do you dose and how often? thanks!

 

[nytegti]

goto ace hadware & get their "janitorial strength ammonia" it's ~ 1ml/ 10gals of water to keep a solid culture growing. the bottle you buy will be enough to cycle every tank you'll ever have in your life for around 5$(yes including your dream 2000g reef)

dose every few days to keep them alive & strong. I used to keep my QT running, not I just keep a filter cartridge in the sump of my DT and throw a new one in when I take it out to QT something. NEVER put the filter back into your DT's sump!

 

[Isoprene]

ok great thanks

 

[Bry]

I use the same Ace hardware Ammonia. The big key is not to buy ammonia that is scented.

I'm not as exact with my adding it to the tank. Usually about a quarter of a capful a couple times a week.

 

[Isoprene]

Ok great, i checked at home depot they didn't have it. They only had lemon scented. I am going to check ACE tomorrow.