Quarantine tank filter recommendation

[joshlawless]

So I read on the various quarantine FAQ and howto pages that it's wise to have a cycled biological filter ready to add to a quarantine tank, and that one way to do this is to get a "sponge filter" for the QT, and store a sponge or two in the sump of the DT that can take a one-way trip to the QT when it's time to quarantine a new inhabitant.

Would this be the right kind of QT tank filter:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002DJLEQ
(Penn Plax Cascade submersible)

It's got a disposable sponge and refillable carbon filter inline with a submersible power head, so it seems like I could keep a few of the spare sponges (thankfully cheap: www.amazon.com/dp/B0041JZO52) in the sump, and run carbon when appropriate during the quarantine.

Are there any better filters I should be aware of? Seems like this one would cover a couple of needs (bio, carbon, circulation).

 

[Mrscribbled]

I just use hydro sponges, can run air line or a powerhead on them. I keep my qt tank running all the time and dose ammonia between fish. Placing in high flow area of sump works good too. For a hang on filter aquaclear works great.


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[scuzy]

I use mainly aquaclears it's great for holding ceramic media for bacteria to grow

 

[joshlawless]

I just use hydro sponges, can run air line or a powerhead on them. I keep my qt tank running all the time and dose ammonia between fish. Placing in high flow area of sump works good too. For a hang on filter aquaclear works great.

Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002602SM ? It looks like the replacement sponges are significantly more money, and I don't want to risk putting a used sponge back in the sump after QT use.

Also, how do you "dose" ammonia -- are you just adding food to the tank?

 

[HumbleFish]

First, get one of these (they come in like 4 different sizes); then stick this (one comes with the powerfilter) in your sump or behind the rocks for a month or two (longer is better). Voila! No more ammonia worries in QT.

Props to MrTuskfish

 

[joshlawless]

Follow-up question -- do you use the same hygrometer for your QT as your DT, or do I have to buy two?

 

[scuzy]

For accurate reading you should use a refractometer

 

[joshlawless]

Sorry, meant refractometer. But is one shared between tanks okay?

 

[GrimReefer555]

The refractometer shouldn't be a problem, as the water goes onto it and never back to the tank. Plus, if cleaned and left dry, shouldn't be a problem anyways.

 

[Mrscribbled]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrscribbled

I just use hydro sponges, can run air line or a powerhead on them. I keep my qt tank running all the time and dose ammonia between fish. Placing in high flow area of sump works good too. For a hang on filter aquaclear works great.

Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002602SM ? It looks like the replacement sponges are significantly more money, and I don't want to risk putting a used sponge back in the sump after QT use.

Also, how do you "dose" ammonia -- are you just adding food to the tank?

I use bottled ammonia chloride.



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[HumbleFish]

Sorry, meant refractometer. But is one shared between tanks okay?

I just buy a bunch of different glass droppers (from Walmart); one for each tank.