Display water in QT

[semperfi102582]

Is it okay to use about 20% of display tank water when first setting up a QT? Or will this cause a spike in nitrates, ammonia, etc?

 

[Spar]

I use 100% DT water. You still want to add some bacteria, but this is necessary whether you use DT water or new mixed water.

To limit the gunk, pull water from the middle-to-top layer of the DT. E.g. don't pull from the bottom of a sump or DT.

 

[semperfi102582]

I can't do 100% my qt is about as big as my display.

 

[HumbleFish]

Is it okay to use about 20% of display tank water when first setting up a QT? Or will this cause a spike in nitrates, ammonia, etc?

20% is fine. And as Spar said, 100% is fine too.

Don't worry about nitrates in QT. All you need to be concerned over is keeping the ammonia 0. Maybe also test pH is you want and buffer accordingly (but I don't).