Using established tank as QT?

[ZeeSparrow]

I've been perusing various sites searching for a stand for my current 10 gallon QT tank. This weekend, I came upon a little larger established tank that is a decent deal. It includes more than 75# of live rock with sponges, worms etc, a couple fish that are compatible with those I have now (I think... though if they're not I'd take them to LFS), skimmer, heater, etc. No sump. Canister filter.

I'm considering taking that tank, tossing the sand and running it bare bottom with the rock and fish it has for a little while, adding MOST of the rock to the sump on my 75G and then keeping it up as a permanent, cycled QT. My 10 gallon would become HT as needed.

Other options are to put everything into DT/sump (after a period of time) and use this for UNcycled QT with no rock, etc.... skip this setup entirely and keep looking for a stand for my 10, or get a 20 or 29 from Petco and look for a stand for THAT.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[gone fishin]

My concern with your plan is that by pulling the LR then you may lull yourself into thinking it is still cycled. Also, if something pops up in the QT then more than likely the rock will need to be pulled any way.

When I was starting to restock my tank after our move a few years ago I left my 29g QT up permanently for awhile. I used a couple of HOB filters and some fake plants and decoration for them. I always had some filter sponges in my sump ready to swap out after each QT. Just my 2 cents worth good luck.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Thanks, Tony. The idea that I'd have to pull the rock anyway if something shows up in the QT is one of the reasons I'm not sure about doing this. I do have a filter sponge in my sump that I'm seeding for the next QT period. It's been there a few weeks or so.

If I pick up this setup, for the purposes of adding live rock to my DT... how long would you suggest to keep the rock where it is before it would be okay to move to my DT? I haven't added any rock since my initial setup so not sure about doing that.

Also, if I keep the fish (o.clown and watchman goby) should I QT them in their current tank for a full 6 weeks+? I'd assume they should remain separate from the two I already have in my 10 QT (they've been there one week... making sure they're eating well before I start TTM).

So many uncertainties here.... :/

 

[gone fishin]

I feel your pain with the uncertainties. I have always been leery of getting running systems. Other than the obvious pain to move them there is the uncertainty of the condition of the tank.

I trust no one on tank conditions. I suppose my strategy would be to get the tank moved and set up again, I think I would just go bare bottom here. Once your done with your current QT then I would move the new guys into QT. With the tank empty of fish I believe I would leave it running for 72 days to ensure no ich and that would take of most other problems. In the mean time I would take a good look for any unwanted LR issues aiptasia, bryopsis for example. Once your happy with LR condition and the time frame then you can start the transfer.

That would be my initial strategy but may change based on conditions. Good luck

 

[ZeeSparrow]

That's kind of what I was thinking. Sounds like a whole lot of work for ... possibly not a lot of gain. Of course all of this is assuming the tank and stand are both in great shape which I won't know until I see it in person, and it could be a bunch of garbage.

So another idea. Rather than considering this an already cycled, established tank with a bunch of unknowns, what if I nuke the hardware and start over? I'd dump the sand, take the fish to LFS, put the rock in a separate container and bleach the tank and equipment. Rinse it all out with Prime and RODI water.

The rock would remain out of the tanks for the minimum 72 days, unless I just nuke that too... but then what's the point of live rock? :headwally:

The goal here would be to use this new, larger tank for QT as soon as I finish TTM. I could use the sponge from my sump, HOB with filter floss (which I'm already doing anyway). I guess the reason I'm considering pursuing this at all is because it's a larger tank, stand, canopy with extras that are "good enough" for QT: lights, skimmer, etc. for an asking price that is about the same as I've found for a new 10-gallon stand.

 

[ca1ore]

To me, anything more than a 30L as QT becomes unnecessary trouble. Water changes become harder, you need to use more medication, etc., all for minimal gain.

 

[gone fishin]

In all honesty If your primary goal is for a larger QT then I would more than likely take the second approach.

Fish to the LFS or another hobbyist, dump the sand and clean the tank. I don't know if I would go the bleach route. you can but, if you can get it cleaned up and let it sit dry for a few days then then the same thing is accomplished without the bleach IMO.

As far as the rock goes there are a few options. put it into a tub and QT it for 72 days, or kill it and start over.
Do you need more rock or is it a just nice to have thing.

It sounds like you main goal is a larger QT. So keep that in mind when you look at it. Will the amount of work on your end and the price be worth it to you.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

This is a 30 gallon which I think is perfect. Not too big but just big enough. Can be used for inverts and frags as well, whereas my current 10 qt leaves a bit to be desired (no lights for example). It's great for TTM but not longer term.

Thanks again Tony. That's the plan then. Lose the fish and sand, qt the rock and clean the rest. I'll be starting TTM on my current qt inhabitants soon so that gives me 12 days to go through the process and leave it all dry for a bit.

Now I just have to see what condition its in to decide if it's worthwhile!

Thanks for your input and ideas. Much appreciated!

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Oh and I could use more rock. Only have about 70# in my 75 so far...

 

[nuxx]

Just not a good idea. So many reasons to not have live rock in a QT tank.

Running a QT is pretty simple without rock. Just use seeded filter pads and/or seeded MarinePure spheres.

 

[kmbyrnes]

With the Petco sale about to start. grab yourself a 40B for long term QT and another 10 for TMM. Total outlay will be less than $100 and you won't be buying a possible 'problem'.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

With the Petco sale about to start. grab yourself a 40B for long term QT and another 10 for TMM. Total outlay will be less than $100 and you won't be buying a possible 'problem'.

That's very likely what I'm going to do after talking it over with my husband last night. The one we've discussed here just seems .... questionable. Both from the perspective of everything we've discussed AND the information I've been getting from the seller. As my husband said, he just seems "flaky". So I'm not going to pursue this setup.

I'm leaning toward a 20L though, as ca1ore mentioned above that for a QT, much larger than 30 is not necessarily better (to paraphrase). I'd like to find a stand first and am actively searching for a used one. Or I'll break down and build another one in the next couple weeks. :frog:

 

[Shawn O]

75 lbs of live rock is worth a bit of money if it can be made useful for little money and effort. Just a thought....

If the live rock is made clean and you TTM/medicate all fish coming in before putting into an observation QT, the live rock could be a benefit in the setup. Although you'd need to do a fallow period in between fish.

 

[Marchillo]

With the Petco sale about to start. grab yourself a 40B for long term QT and another 10 for TMM. Total outlay will be less than $100 and you won't be buying a possible 'problem'.

+1

Was just going to suggest this and was scanning to see if I got beat to the punch!

 

[Marchillo]

That's very likely what I'm going to do after talking it over with my husband last night. The one we've discussed here just seems .... questionable. Both from the perspective of everything we've discussed AND the information I've been getting from the seller. As my husband said, he just seems "flaky". So I'm not going to pursue this setup.

I'm leaning toward a 20L though, as ca1ore mentioned above that for a QT, much larger than 30 is not necessarily better (to paraphrase). I'd like to find a stand first and am actively searching for a used one. Or I'll break down and build another one in the next couple weeks. :frog:

I have two 20l I picked up at petco for TTM/QT. Working out just fine.

Even with that the amount of water was a little crazy.

GL

 

[ZeeSparrow]

75 lbs of live rock is worth a bit of money if it can be made useful for little money and effort. Just a thought....

If the live rock is made clean and you TTM/medicate all fish coming in before putting into an observation QT, the live rock could be a benefit in the setup. Although you'd need to do a fallow period in between fish.

True but I'll leave it to someone else. Not looking for an investment. Besides my husband and I both felt a little uneasy about this guy so we're out.

I have two 20l I picked up at petco for TTM/QT. Working out just fine.



Even with that the amount of water was a little crazy.



GL

Haha yeah. TTM with 10 gallons is enough for me. [emoji1]

 

[gone fishin]

That's very likely what I'm going to do after talking it over with my husband last night. The one we've discussed here just seems .... questionable. Both from the perspective of everything we've discussed AND the information I've been getting from the seller. As my husband said, he just seems "flaky". So I'm not going to pursue this setup.

I'm leaning toward a 20L though, as ca1ore mentioned above that for a QT, much larger than 30 is not necessarily better (to paraphrase). I'd like to find a stand first and am actively searching for a used one. Or I'll break down and build another one in the next couple weeks. :frog:

I have learned the hard way sometimes to listen to those flaky feelings. I forgot about Petco, I don't have one nearby.