Setting up a QT tank, how to cycle?

[Hextall]

I'm setting up a 10 gallon QT tank. I bought the tank off craig's list, and it came with a whisper 5-10 gallon filter/powerhead (probably purchased at walmart as a kit).

I bought some new filter bag refills, and put an empty one in the back chamber of my 29 gallon biocube (cycled with one fish (impulse buy) and CUC) to hopefully grow some of the bacteria needed to cycle the QT tank.

I read the article (ounce of prevention) and it talked about using a sponge filter... are these similar enough that I'm on the right track with setting up the QT tank? I'm not sure what a sponge filter is compared to the whisper biobag filter I have.

I'll be going on vacation for a week soon, and was hoping to have my QT cycling while I'm gone, or at the least have the filter bag well seeded by the time I get back.


Thanks for any help.

 

[Mindflux]

If you don't need the QT right away just toss a raw piece of shrimp in the tank and let er rip.

Just keep in mind if you don't keep feeding the bioload eventually it'll uncycle.

 

[bamf25]

I am doing my second qt cycle now The first time I had some minor ammonia problems. This time I was sure I had a nice piece of filter floss that had been stewing in my sump for about 8 weeks to get nice and seeded with bacteria. I used DT water to fill the tank, and placed the floss in the hob filter. So far two small fish in the QT and no ammonia issues. Also doing about 5 to 10% water changes daily.

So the tank was not cycled saved the filter floss. The rest of the setup is barebottom with a few pieces of pvc pipe.

 

[Chris27]

Is it a two part Whisper filter with both the black sponge and white carbon cartridge? If so, you'll want to toss the black sponge in the back chamber instead of the white cartridge. After a few weeks it'll be cycled and ready for the QT.

 

[Hextall]

Is it a two part Whisper filter with both the black sponge and white carbon cartridge? If so, you'll want to toss the black sponge in the back chamber instead of the white cartridge. After a few weeks it'll be cycled and ready for the QT.

hmmm... I didn't see a black sponge. Just a white filter "bag" that slips over a green plastic frame (and fill up with a small amount of carbon) to put in the outflow chamber of the hob device. I put the white filter bag without carbon but on the green frame in the back chamber.

 

[Chris27]

Unless the filter is very old, it should have a black sponge roughly the size of the white bag that sits in front of it. It's far better material for a bio-filter....while the white bag isn't ideal, it'll work. Just toss it in the cube and wait a few weeks.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Unless the filter is very old, it should have a black sponge roughly the size of the white bag that sits in front of it. It's far better material for a bio-filter....while the white bag isn't ideal, it'll work. Just toss it in the cube and wait a few weeks.

Yeah, it should instantly cycle a QT. A lot of those filter cartridges have cheap carbon, be sure to get rid of the carbon before you use any meds. Keep an extra in your DT and you'll always have a QT/HT ready.

 

[mfinn]

I'm assuming you already have a saltwater tank.
I keep a sponge filter powered by a small air pump in my sump going all the time. When I need the q-tank ( which I keep empty untill I need it), I fill the tank with new water and toss in the already seeded sponge filter.

 

[Anthonius]

i also use a few pieces of sponge filter in my 30g sump which i stick in one of those whispers in lieu of the normal carbon filter. this does wonders. a few pieces of pvc pipe cut at different lengths and a few pvc elbows for hiding spots and thats it. when im done i then drain the tank and clean up the filter and ditch the sponge filter and replace the one in the 30g(i only do this if i must use medication).

 

[OodleyBoodely]

I like the AquaClear 200 filter sponges. You can buy them singles or in 3 paks. They are approximately 2x2x4 inches each and I like to cut a deep slit in the small end and slip them over the intakes of maxijet powerhead intakes as prefilters (Any pump with a 1" or smaller intake can be used this way). The sponges quickly become seeded with nitrifying bacteria and also become pod/bristleworm factories (so use gloves when handling, lol!). The ph and sponge can be moved to the new qt when ever needed and extra sponges can easily be kept going in the sump either on another ph or tucked into high flow areas of the sump. When you first move an innoculated sponge to the new qt, wearing gloves, squeeze the sponge in the new tank water several times to release the trapped detritus into the tank...this is full of bacteria and pods. You can always siphon the settled crud out later but give it a few days and it will really help add filtering capacity to your tank.