Guide to setup a Quarantine Tank (QT).

I have a quarantine tank that I set up as permanent tank. It is 110G and has a sump. I know that is large but that's what I was able to find when I was replacing my DT. I set it up several months ago with some filter pads from my DT tank. I never purchased any fish. I now am getting ready to purchase some fish, so I replaced the filter pads with other filter pads from my DT. I put in some ammonia to insure that I have enough live bacteria. I am checking the parameters, however, I am not sure that the filter pads will be able to provide adequate bacteria for such a large tank. Do you have any other suggestions. I do have a canister filter, but I wanted to avoid using it, as it is a pain. Would bio balls in the sump or ceramic rings be better. Thanks
 
buy some ceramic media on ebay or online where ever u can find cheap. 1500-2000g will do the job for 110 gal with sump.
 
Thanks I will do that. Should I keep in the DT for a few weeks to get the bioload or just put it in tank with the filter pads?
 
If u can wait then place the ceramic media in established tank for at least 1 week to grow some bacteria on it. How did the test of ammonia come out on qt?
 
well, it went from 0.25 to less than 0.25, although reading the card is not easy. I am not sure I dosed enough ammonia to start with. My nitrites are 13ppb. Should I dose more ammonia now?
 
I was thinking of setting up a permanent quarantine tank and was wondering if after the water is cycled do I have to do weekly water changes.
Do I have to keep the light on for the tank all day?.
And if I cure a fish in the tank do I have to change all the water, or just do water changes?
 
Well, I just re-tested my quarantine tank. My ammonia today is 0.25 mg/l, and nitrite is 20ppb. I'm not sure my previous ammonia was correct since it was night and I was using artificial light, but the previous nitrite was 13ppb. I am currently cycling a new frag tank, and I dosed with strait ammonia at the same time I dosed the quarantine. It is 1.5mg/l ammonia and 43 ppb nitrite. It has only been up about 2 weeks.
 
Looks like both tanks are in the middle of cycle. Some tanks can take up to many weeks to finish cycling. I would just wait it out and not dose any more ammonia.
Good luck and safe reefing.
 
thedasher said:
I was thinking of setting up a permanent quarantine tank and was wondering if after the water is cycled do I have to do weekly water changes.
Do I have to keep the light on for the tank all day?.
And if I cure a fish in the tank do I have to change all the water, or just do water changes?
Click to expand...

Hi
sorry for late response, after you cycle a tank, leave 1 hardy fish in it permanently, i have found out over time PJ Cardinals to be the best as they are hardy and non aggressive and can handle pretty mush any treatment.
Lights dont need to be on all the time, only tie you will need lights on is when observing fish for disease. I have my QT lights on timer for 4 hrs a day in which time i feed my fish twice and observe.
after curing/observing fish over the term, yes do water change and have the tank ready for next round of fish.
Good luck, i hope i answered all your concerns.
 
Hi Ryan,
you dont need anything else. just put some food in the tank or a deli shrimp to kick start the cycle. Carbon will take out any meds if dosed so its up to you to place or not but if you do take it out when u dose any medicine.
 
bnumair said:
Hi Ryan,
you dont need anything else. just put some food in the tank or a deli shrimp to kick start the cycle. Carbon will take out any meds if dosed so its up to you to place or not but if you do take it out when u dose any medicine.
Click to expand...

I dont even have a display tank up yet, I just want to get going on the QT process as I wont start cycling my main tank until August.
 
Ryanrttu said:
I dont even have a display tank up yet, I just want to get going on the QT process as I wont start cycling my main tank until August.
Click to expand...

i dont understand the question i guess, everything i posted earlier referred to QT. am i missing something? please explain in detail.
QT as is with the filter u mentioned is fine, to kick start cycle in QT place a deli shrimp or fish food in the qt, after few weeks tank will be cycled and ready to house any fish.
carbon is your choice, if placed, remove when u dose any treatment meds.
 
bnumair said:
i dont understand the question i guess, everything i posted earlier referred to QT. am i missing something? please explain in detail.
QT as is with the filter u mentioned is fine, to kick start cycle in QT place a deli shrimp or fish food in the qt, after few weeks tank will be cycled and ready to house any fish.
carbon is your choice, if placed, remove when u dose any treatment meds.
Click to expand...

My bad, that was more just me rambling. No question because you answered it, thanks!
 
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