Doesn't a Quarantine Tank have to cycle before putting fish in it? Clownfish w/Ich

[MarineGirl411]

I recently read online from an article that this website put up. I am a little confused because I thought that for a QT tank it would take about 3-4 weeks for it to cycle and be ready to put your sick fish in it? They suggested taking down the fish tank after you use it, place a sponge in your sump, then cut a small piece from the sponge and place it into the QT tank filter when it is time to use. I thought that the QT had to go through it's own cycle as well. =/ Just wondering b/c I have a clownfish with ich! I started the QT and used a piece of cured LR and the Sponge method. Just wondering if it needs to cycle or what I should do. Thank you please let me know.
Also, do you think a formalin FW bath would work well since my QT hasn't been up long? Just in case I have to wait 3-4 weeks for it to cycle. Since it hasn't been up long, what do you recommend?

 

[TerryB]

It is much better to use a cycled Qtank than not for stable water.
I keep one at all times. Some prefer to keep a sponge filter in their sump so it has bacteria when they need it. It depends on how many fish are in the Qtank. If you have a heavy load then an established Qtank is the way to go. If you don' t have either then you will be making a lot of large water changes.

Dips don't cure ich.

Terry B

 

[MarineGirl411]

Hi,
Well I don't have a cycled QT tank. With that said, wouldn't it be wise to not treat the sick fish in the QT tank now? =/ What do you think I should do? I put a piece of LR rubble in the tank. I also put the sponge in there that came out of my sump. My clownfish has ich. So what should I do to treat him? Should I use formalin in the QT, wait to see if he fights it off, adding garlic to his food? What is your best suggestion. Please let me know. TY. No, only one fish has ich.

 

[MarineGirl411]

anyone else? please?

 

[iku]

a qt tank isnt as complicated as u think
if u already have a fish tank(a cycled tank), then just do a water change on the main tank, and use that water u got from ur main tank as ur QT water. along with a heater and a cheap hob filter

 

[MarineGirl411]

Ok, thank you. Now what is a good treatment for ich? I only have a swing arm and I can't do hypo because I do not trust it. Please let me know.