To QT or not QT?

[RoscoPColtrane]

I plan to purchase 2 very small perculas in hopes of them pairing up. My initial plan was to set up my spare 10gal with an emperor hang-on filter and use tank water from my 55. I would like to put some kind of hiding shelter in the QT that I would transfer to the new tank so the small fish can hide. I'm afraid of them initially being picked on by my Kole and flame angel, the only other fish in the tank.

I like the idea of acclimating the fish to a small shelter for protection before they enter the main tank, but will the QT cause more stress than it's worth? Additionally if I use tank water and an old emperor hang-on will I have any cycling problems?

 

[traveller7]

Definitely QT. Use a PVC elbow or two. Make sure they can get out of the flow on occassion and rest.

Get ready to treat them....lots of nasty bugs out there.

 

[RoscoPColtrane]

Thanks for the input. Can anyone tell me about the cycle on the 10 gal QT tank if I use tankwater and an emperor that has been out of service.

 

[traveller7]

It will cycle in a traditional fashion. Be prepared to perform many water changes to combat Ammonia, pH drops, etc.

You can cut down the water changes by siphoning any uneaten food, waste, etc., and changing the mechanical filtration frequently(daily).

 

[RokleM]

Agree on the PVC, but do NOT transfer it to the main tank as that defeats some of the purpose of QT. However, you can obviously easily put a very similar piece into your tank.

My trick for QT is every other, every third day changes of 25-50% of the QT volume replaced with my main system's water. It keeps them in halfway clean water, and keeps them in line with the parameters on the tank they'll eventually be in.

 

[RoscoPColtrane]

thank you for the replies. Great point regarding the PVC...