QT Systems

[atonaltheory]

Please list your ideal QT setups here.

 

[MuffsAbby]

I don't think there is an "ideal" QT setup, since many setups will do the job equally well. However, I'm happy to outline my setup, lest you find that helpful:

1) 20g tank with lid and lights (day and night). A 20g works for me since the fish I buy are in the 1-3 inch size range.
2) Marineland bio-wheel filter. Many other filters would do the job equally well. I use this one, because I'm familiar with it from my FW days. It has a carbon filter and a bio-wheel. If I ever have to remove the carbon (for medicating), I still have the bio-wheel to support beneficial bacteria, plus I can put in regular floss where the carbon floss normally goes.
3) A heater and a thermometer.
4) An air stone and air pump.
5) Something for the fish to hide in. Most people use PVC pipe. I use various fake (inert) aquarium decorations that I had left over from my FW tanks (cleaned, of course). I doubt the fish care, but I like the look of them better than PVC pipe.
6) Seachem ammonia alert badge.
7) Dedicated supplies (not used in my DT), including a vacuum and hose, several buckets, a sponge to clean the glass, and a net.
8) Medications, including PraziPro (which I'm now using as a preventative treatment) and Cupramine (which I have not yet needed to use).

Also, I cycled my QT prior to its first use and I keep it up and running at all times. That said, I'm currently stocking my DT, so my QT pretty well always has fish in it.

 

[Indymann99]

My QT sits in my Mix room. I do prefer to cycle the QT (ghost feeding) for 3-4 weeks before adding a fish into QT (this helps limit the need for lots of WC). I also have my system plumbed so I can put DT WC water in the QT.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/QTTank.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/QTinMixRm.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/QTTankcloseup.jpg

 

[atonaltheory]

Cycle by ghost feeding? Interesting. How much feed, how often, what kind of food?

Like the ammonia warning badge idea.

Thanks.

 

[atonaltheory]

No cupramine in the QT? What meds are in the QT besides PraziPro?

 

[Joe0813]

i have a 20 gallon with a penguin power filter 100 with a bio wheel and a carbon filter. a heater, pvc corner piece and a thermometer.... i want to get that ammonia badge that indyman99 has

 

[MuffsAbby]

No cupramine in the QT? What meds are in the QT besides PraziPro?

The only meds in my QT are PraziPro, and that was just added today. My anthias were added to the QT 2 weeks ago, and I made sure they were eating well and settled in first. Other than Prazi, I don't use meds on a preventative basis. I would only use other medications if I had reason to believe the fish were ill, or if I were dealing with "high-risk" fish. Whether or not to use preventative treatment is a personal choice. Some do, some don't.

I too like the Seachem ammonia badge, although I still test every few days just to be on the safe side. However, because I cycled the tank before use, I've never had an ammonia reading in the QT since putting fish in. Still, the badge is handy to have.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Cycle by ghost feeding? Interesting. How much feed, how often, what kind of food?

Like the ammonia warning badge idea.

Thanks.

Ammonia badges are great for a QT, most ammonia test kits don't work with copper. Also, never use an ammonia-neutralizer (Amquel, Prime, etc. ) with copper; deadly compounds result. I think the biggest problem people have with a QT is ammonia; easily avoided if you keep a disposable sponge (for a sponge filter, of HOB) in the flow of your DT.

 

[JEC11718]

If anyone else has pics or a list of their qt setup I TOO could use some guidance! I have ich at the moment and need to hospitalize four fish!!!any suggestions on which copper for ich?

 

[atonaltheory]

Thanks for your feedback. I'm up and running and the fish are medicated. Let's see what happens.