Tank Transfer Method Questions

Atf22

New member
Well, right now i have 2 fire fish in my QT tank, they've been in there since Saturday and they were in the LFS QT tank for 2 weeks and 2 days (There was a large group but some started fighting, these 2 seemed to be friends, always sticking with each other, helping each other hold their ground) so they we moved to a separate tank and i liked them, so he put them in a different QT tank (All their tanks are independently filtered and have uv sterilizers) so in total it's been about 2 1/2 weeks in QT. They look good and are eating well, but i wanted to try the TTM. My only problem is, i have 1 extra heater, and 1 extra tank (The QT tank) but i saw some people used buckets. Would that be okay to use a bucket with a double airstone? Also, would i have to use RODI water or would tap water with Prime be okay? Thanks
 
buckets are ok. but it is hard to monitor the fish in a bucket since you can't fully see the fish to see signs of hard breathing, etc. Petco should have 10 gallon tanks for $10-$15 each. Well worth the investment.

Tap is fine, but you want the QT water to be as closely matched to the environment they will be in the DT, so RO/DI will give them that. Doubtful it will matter though as long as salinity and temp is the same.
 
buckets are ok. but it is hard to monitor the fish in a bucket since you can't fully see the fish to see signs of hard breathing, etc. Petco should have 10 gallon tanks for $10-$15 each. Well worth the investment.

Tap is fine, but you want the QT water to be as closely matched to the environment they will be in the DT, so RO/DI will give them that. Doubtful it will matter though as long as salinity and temp is the same.

I got one of their 10 gallons for the QT set up, but if i brought home another tank my parents might kill me, i guess i'll have to do buckets with an airstone... will i have to change out the airstone after switching?
 
Yes switch out the air stone and the tubing. Absolutely NO equipment should be used from one transfer to the other.
 
Yes switch out the air stone and the tubing. Absolutely NO equipment should be used from one transfer to the other.

Wow....that's an expensive treatment.... i'll go buy those cheap 50 cent airstone i guess.... Can someone explain it a little better though? so i transfer them every 3 days for a total of 4 transfers? once that's done they'd be "Quarantined" for 4 weeks total. would that be okay?
 
Welcome to the world of saltwater aquaria:) Your plan is good. There are lots of threads on TT but it's pretty straight forward.
 
Welcome to the world of saltwater aquaria:) Your plan is good. There are lots of threads on TT but it's pretty straight forward.

Thanks for your help! i'll be starting tomorrow morning! Any chance i can clean with a water/vinegar solution instead of throwing it away? If not then i'll go get them but water/vinegar on the airline tubing seems like it'd be okay! Thanks again for your help!
 
Thanks for your help! i'll be starting tomorrow morning! Any chance i can clean with a water/vinegar solution instead of throwing it away? If not then i'll go get them but water/vinegar on the airline tubing seems like it'd be okay! Thanks again for your help!

I would not risk it. Unlikely you'll be able to thoroughly clean and dry a porous item like an airstone. Airline tubing is relatively cheap too - best to replace with new tubing at each transfer. If it isn't *completely* cleaned and dried for at least 24 hours, you risk reinfection.

Personally, I use HOB filters for surface agitation since they are easier to clean and dry. Below is the primary thread on TTM that you should read through to understand fully. Lots of good anecdotal info here.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1996525&highlight=tank+transfer
 
Agree with Chris..don't risk it. But don't throw it out either. Just sterilize, let it dry thoroughly and use it during TT on your next fish:)
 
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