Quarantine Help

[Biotopes]

Aloha!

After moving, I had to give up all my established, well, everything! :deadhorse1:

So, how do I set up a quarantine tank from scratch, mainly how do I filter it without cycling the tank first? Or do I need to cycle a QT tank if starting from scratch?

Mahalo! :beer:

 

[Mrscribbled]

I personally use sponge filters and Instant Ocean Bio Spira. I've set up all my QT tanks this way in the past two years.

 

[Biotopes]

Is there any wait period before adding fish with that method? Or do you just do frequent water changes determined by an ammonia badge (or something else)?

 

[Spar]

it is 'nearly instant'... meaning that the bacteria will settle in within a day or two, generally before ammonia or nitrite even has a chance to build up to dangerous levels in the first place. you may still see a slight build up of ammonia during the first few days though... so would recommend keeping an eye out on it.

if you wanted to play it safe, you could wait to put your fish in, but you would want to 'feed' the bacteria with fish food during that period. putting the fish in at the same time is recommended and perfectly OK though.

 

[Mrscribbled]

I add fish 12 hours after dosing Bio Spira.

 

[Biotopes]

Ok, so just to be clear, set up a tank with saltwater/PVC pipes/heater/hang on filter (carbon only ok?)/fish and it'll be ok as long as I keep an eye on parameters?

 

[Spar]

Ok, so just to be clear, set up a tank with saltwater/PVC pipes/heater/hang on filter (carbon only ok?)/fish and it'll be ok as long as I keep an eye on parameters?

HOF w/ carbon only is perfectly fine. what you just indicated + bio spira is an excellent plan. get one of those suction-cup ammonia testers for some additional peace of mind. But just checking in on the ammonia via a regular test kit will be best.

 

[Biotopes]

Cool, mahalo! :beer: