QT Question.

[redrider911]

I'm sure it's been answered before, but couldn't find it in search.
I wanted to turn my 10 gal into a QT/hospital tank. I have a heater and HOB filter. Do I add live rock and or substrate? Or, do I have lr/sand for qt but take it out if I have to do treatment?

 

[scrmbld33]

i have live rock rubble in mine, mostly for the fish to hide around, i would think taking the rock out for treatments would be best but i dont see a problem leaving it either, i wouldnt do substrate in the qt but you could

 

[redrider911]

Thanks. Do you leave your tank running 24/7, or fill it when you need it?

 

[reefshadow]

The problem comes in with dosing copper, which can be absorbed by the rock and substrate, leading to swings in the levels, and copper is already very tricky to dose. If you just plan hypo I don't see the harm in a bit of LR and/or sand, but once you get into meds it can mess you up. It's also a bit harder to clean a med tank with substrate and rock in it. If you use copper with the rock or sand anyway, never reuse it in a tank with inverts.

If you want to go bare just run the HOB on your main tank with floss or pad and it will serve as a biofilter once put on the QT. You can use pieces of PVC to serve as hiding places.

 

[scrmbld33]

i usually get fish in the spring and fall, my qt is in the garage and the summer is too hot and winters too could, but she runs 24/7 when in use for those months

 

[reefshadow]

I would leave it running and treat it pretty much like a little display even when empty of fish, feeding a very tiny pinch of food every once in awile to keep the bac population up.

 

[redrider911]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9227171#post9227171 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefshadow
I would leave it running and treat it pretty much like a little display even when empty of fish, feeding a very tiny pinch of food every once in awile to keep the bac population up.

My electric company thanks you Thanks for the help.

 

[Myka]

I tear mine down when it's not in use. Mine simply consists of an AquaClear, a heater, a plain ole light, and some PVC pipes.

 

[PatMayo]

I would not use any rock in a qt tank. I would only have a couple of pvc pipes for the fish to hide in and bare bottom. Easier to clean etc. Here is a real good thread on QT and Ich. It's worth reading.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-08/sp/index.php

and Part II

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-10/sp/feature/index.php

Regards,

Pat

 

[ahullsb]

I would leave your tank bare also. If you throw some pvc elbows in the bottom your fish will be fine. Mine are in qt right now and my tang seems perfectly happy in it.

 

[redrider911]

PatMayo, thanks for the links. It answered all my questions.

 

[kfowler]

No LR in mine. Just PVC. Works well. I tear my down after use.

 

[adnup]

I take my QT down when not in use. When I need it I do a 10 gal water change in my display tank and use the old water for the QT. Its worked great for me each time.

 

[Shagsbeard]

Depends... all to frequently we're confusing QT and Hospital tanks. If you are going to be treating a fish for some disease, I wouldn't want any rock in there. PVC or some flower pots would do nicely for cover and could be discarded later. Any medicines you use will taint the rock and cause problems with subsequent use. If all you are doing is watching the fish for signs of disease, you could keep rock in it... but I don't really see the point... at some point your QT tank simply becomes another display.