QT System Help

[Scott07]

This is my first time setting up a dedicated QT system other than a temporary one for treatment of a sick fish etc... The system I've set up consists of a 20g long tank, BB of course with PVC for eventual inhabitants, Aquaclear 70 filter w/ media basket removed containing 2 small heaters and a large bag of the ceramic biological filter media stuff that comes w/ the Aquaclear filters. That's it. It's been a few weeks since I stopped keeping track, but the tank has been up and cycling for I think something around 8-10 weeks now. I kicked it off w/ a small amount of mysis back at the beginning. Anyhow, I'm just now seeing my Nitrite spike (tested 5 w/ an API kit yesterday), w/ 0 ammonia and Nitrate. IMO/E the tank is cycling SUPER SLOWLY. I'm guessing this is due to a relatively small amount of surface area for bacteria to colonize. This system will be QTing fish for my 65g which was set up a few months back.

My concern: It just feels to me like when this cycle does eventually conclude, the first resident(s) of the tank is likely going to cause a mini cycle b/c the biological filter just isn't strong enough to support anything. First to pass through will likely be a shrimp/goby pair... but i'm worried even something like this will cause an ammonia spike.

What can I/should I be doing to better prepare my QT system for inhabitants?

Thanks!!!

 

[pfan151]

I'd keep ghost feeding. That will help build up the bacteria population. Personally I don't have a constantly running QT. When I buy a new fish I set one up that is not cycled and do 100% waterchanges every 3 days using water from my display. I usually end up medicating with most fish so I'd rather start with new water every few days than have to worry about what chemicals are left over in the tank.

 

[Scott07]

I'd keep ghost feeding. That will help build up the bacteria population. Personally I don't have a constantly running QT. When I buy a new fish I set one up that is not cycled and do 100% waterchanges every 3 days using water from my display. I usually end up medicating with most fish so I'd rather start with new water every few days than have to worry about what chemicals are left over in the tank.

Makes sense.... how long do you typically qt for? I just feel like 9 weeks or so of 100% water changes every 3 days on a 20 is going to get real old real fast.... but maybe im just lazy??? lol.

 

[GimpyFin]

You could throw a small bottle of bio spira bacteria in. I've used it many times when I want to setup a cycled QT. (It cycles the tank almost instantly and suppresses the big ammonia spike.) As long as you have bio media in your filter to house the bacteria (Which it sounds like you do) and don't throw a bunch of fish in at once, you should be fine.

Only thing I would maybe add is bigger PVC tubes or elbows so most fish can swim through/hide in them and put some sort of cover on top to curb jumpers. Otherwise, looks good. :thumbsup:

 

[Scott07]

You could throw a small bottle of bio spira bacteria in. I've used it many times when I want to setup a cycled QT. (It cycles the tank almost instantly and suppresses the big ammonia spike.) As long as you have bio media in your filter to house the bacteria (Which it sounds like you do) and don't throw a bunch of fish in at once, you should be fine.

Only thing I would maybe add is bigger PVC tubes or elbows so most fish can swim through/hide in them and put some sort of cover on top to curb jumpers. Otherwise, looks good. :thumbsup:

Good thought... ill try adding some bio spira. PVC tubes in there now are just what I had laying around, but ill definitely throw some bigger elbows and Ts in there too. I have all the material to make a screen top for the tank, just haven't gotten around to it quite yet.

 

[xanthurum]

I would suggest ditching the ceramic media for plastic bio balls. When you inevitably medicate any fish the ceramic media could absorb some of the medicine. Also just keep in mind with a small QT it is good oractice to test the water about every 3 days and keep extra saltwater on hand for emergencies. I like to have at least half the water volume worth. Also if an emergency arises and you need to do a water change remember to medicate the replaced water prior to putting it in the tank. Good on you for QT! Far too many in this hobby skip this and it is the best thing you can do to tip the success odds in your favor.

 

[Scott07]

I would suggest ditching the ceramic media for plastic bio balls. When you inevitably medicate any fish the ceramic media could absorb some of the medicine. Also just keep in mind with a small QT it is good oractice to test the water about every 3 days and keep extra saltwater on hand for emergencies. I like to have at least half the water volume worth. Also if an emergency arises and you need to do a water change remember to medicate the replaced water prior to putting it in the tank. Good on you for QT! Far too many in this hobby skip this and it is the best thing you can do to tip the success odds in your favor.

I actually have both the bio balls and the ceramic media laying around in my piles of fish stuff loll. I chose the ceramic just b/c it seems more porous to me, but I get your point about medicating. My plan was to remove the media if/when I medicate, as at that point id probably be doing more frequent water changes anyway due to the medication..... but is this a bad idea? Could I screw stuff up by pulling the biological media?

 

[pfan151]

Makes sense.... how long do you typically qt for? I just feel like 9 weeks or so of 100% water changes every 3 days on a 20 is going to get real old real fast.... but maybe im just lazy??? lol.

I don't do 9 weeks. I do a formalin dip on arrival, TTM with prazi in the 1st and 3rd transfer, and then monitor them for 2 weeks. I use Rubbermaid tubs with between 5 and ten gallons of water (depending on the size of the fish) an airstone and pvc pipes for my qt tank.