QT filteration..?

[EvMiBo]

I know there's subjects on this but search is down and I don't have that much time to go searching manually..

Anyways, what hang-on filter should I use/works for you? Is carbon a no-no? I kind of remember something being said about letting the media hang out in your sump of your DT for a week or so, what is the purpose of this?

Anything else I might need to know about the flow/filtration? My QT will most likely be a regular 10g (but don't actually have it yet).

Thanks

 

[patsfan1130]

I use an aquaclear HOB for my QT. carbon is a no no if you are medicating. If not, I run it. Keep a filter sponge in your sump to allow bacteria to colonize in it. this way whenever you need to set up the QT..you have it on the ready.

 

[shuguley]

For my 20G QT, I use a Marineland Penguin Power Sponge Filter . It works great, it comes with a 170GPH power head, so it filters, moves, and aerates my water. It took about 4 weeks of use for the beneficial bacteria to build up on it. So for the first fish I quarantined I had to do A LOT of water changes (every other day). Now for my second fish in QT, it works great, with only small weekly water changes. This is why some people leave the sponge in their sump, or run the filter in their sump, so the biological filter is always ready whenever needed.

I picked mine up at either petco or petsmart for like $30.

 

[cdness]

I use an Aquaclear 20 on my 20L. I originally got it for a 10G so I need to upgrade, but it will work for now.

 

[EvMiBo]

so, if I ever need to do the hyposalinity process (don't want to do copper) should carbon still not be used? how does one know when there is enough beneficial bacteria on the sponge - or is 3-4 weeks in sump a safe bet? I assume you're able to rinse off the gunk, etc from the sponge filter (to prevent nitrates..?) and still have the beneficial bacteria?

thanks so much for the responses.

btw- just saw the topic title. filteration, lol :lol:

 

[shuguley]

Regardless of what kind of QT filter you choose, the only way you will know it has enough beneficial bacteria on it is to use it and see if it controls the ammonia. If you run it in the sump of an established system for a week or two, that should be good. You don't really want to clean a sponge filter, if you clean it too good, you will remove the beneficial bacteria. If you want, you can shake it off in a bucket of salt water to get some of the big pieces of debris off.

There's no reason to run carbon in a QT unless you want really clear looking water (but the fish don't care, at least mine haven't.) Also, you don't really need to worry about nitrites or nitrates in QT, they are only harmful to fish at REALLY HIGH levels.

In your QT, just worry about temp, ammonia, PH and salt levels.
All I have for my 20G QT is... heater, thermometer, power sponge filter, el cheapo light. With this setup I have successfully kept two clownfish for 4 weeks and a wrasse for 3 weeks.

 

[EvMiBo]

Sounds good, thanks for all the information. This has been very helpful in clearing a few things up for me.