A few QT questions

[GPhiAce]

So I have been in the hobby for awhile now and have dodged several bullets. I- am getting more into the "expert only" fish and "higher value fish/corals." Now I finally got space and equipment for a QT tank. So I am thinking of setting up a QT and would like a little input if possible. This will be for fish only, no corals.

Supplies/equipment:
- 40br not drillable
- SeaClone skimmer (wanted somethign cheap and dedicated)
- Koralia 3, or a few (2) maxijet 1200s
- mesh screen top (the same kind that I use on my display)
- 2x39w T5 retro
- pvc fittings for hiding spaces
- Water from my DT (will be diluted to ~1.015)

Questions:
How crucial is it for it to be cycled if this is fish only?
Do I need anything else for setup? I may make an ATO and fake wall in the 40 for easy assess to a compartment for the skimmer. If I make the fake wall, I will most likely build in 2 spots for 2 MJ 1200s.

input would be good. Thanks RC

 

[LukFox]

Diluting your water like that isn't going to do any good (conditions to kill ich need to be .009 or lower, and lower kills your fish), and you could just stress them out that way. The most important thing for a QT is for it to be cycled, or they'll just die from ammonia. For this reason you'll probably want a hob filter or something. Remember to turn the skimmer off if you medicate and all that.

 

[rayn]

Lights are not necessary unless you are qting corals. What are you planning on qting in the long haul?

 

[GPhiAce]

Diluting your water like that isn't going to do any good (conditions to kill ich need to be .009 or lower, and lower kills your fish), and you could just stress them out that way. The most important thing for a QT is for it to be cycled, or they'll just die from ammonia. For this reason you'll probably want a hob filter or something. Remember to turn the skimmer off if you medicate and all that.

Thanks. Can you give me an example of an appropriate filter? Wouldn't the medications alter the flora of the filters? Especially in a closed temporary system like this? Prazi shouldn't, but metro should.

Lights are not necessary unless you are qting corals. What are you planning on qting in the long haul?

Most likely wrasses.

 

[hottuna]

marineland emperor 400 with twin biowheels is a good choice for an hob filter..

 

[RBU1]

Agree Emperor 400 or Aquaclear are both good choices.

 

[rayn]

Are you planning on using hypo? Wrasses tend not to like copper. I had one die in two days after dosing cupramine to get rid of ich.

 

[GPhiAce]

Thanks for the filter recommendation.

Hypo - yes. Copper only if I need to, but preferably not.


Do you leave your QT up and running at all times????

 

[rayn]

I do. I had three, but just took two down for room. I still have one and wont tear it down, if nothing else emergencies. I would like to have two on constantly, one for fish and one for corals but that is me.
I'd like the third for fish that don't tolerate copper, like wrasses and blennys. The non scale fish.

 

[GPhiAce]

that is all good to know.

So the filter would be used instead of a skimmer, correct?

 

[rayn]

I wouldn't use a skimmer on QT if copper would be there at all. Maybe if you had a large hospital tank with a large bioload, but generally no.