View Full Version : Question about QT
jherrin215
01/16/2009, 02:06 PM
I am going to be setting up my 180 before too awful long. The sump, fuge and frag tank are going to be in the basement. I currently have a 40 breeder set up on the main level in the room next to where the DT will be going. It would be very simple for me to add a couple pieces of PVC to tie this 40 into the main system. If I use it as a QT can I leave all the LR and sand in the 40 so it looks good too, or does it need to be bare. My plan was to install ball valves on the return and drain lines where I could isolate this tank when using it for quarintine and leave it in the system when it's not being used. What do you think?? Or I could make it into my frag tank and make the frag tank the QT in the basement where it doesn't matter what it looks like. Give me some ideas.
Toddrtrex
01/16/2009, 02:52 PM
I would keep it bare --- rocks and sand are just going to cause issues when/if you have to medicate.
And I wouldn't have it tied into the main take at all -- even with the values closed. There would be a risk of something being transferred back to the main tank when you open them back up.
jherrin215
01/16/2009, 03:15 PM
That's what I was kinda thinking. What about water quality without a skimmer and keeping all the water parameters the same, how does everyone achieve this?? I guess you would just have to acclimate it again when you went from quarintine to DT.
Toddrtrex
01/16/2009, 03:18 PM
Water changes, and keeping a sponge in the sump of your main tank. When you need to QT, put that sponge into the QT tank, and then attached an air line too it.
What I use is a sponge cover for a Maxi Jet -- there is a hole in one end of it -- the air line tube goes in there. Put a rubber band around it and a piece of PVC (( so it won't float )).
EnglishRebel
01/16/2009, 03:21 PM
I have a Fluval canister filter and a UV sterilizer on mine although some aren't too keen on canisters as they say they become nitrate factories. I will keep the Fluval sponge filter in the sump to harbor some good bacteria for use when needed as I have seen many posts that advise to do this and throw it into a HOB on the QT. My view is that if it's okay to keep a sponge filter in the sump with water flowing over it for emergency hospital or QT tank use then it must be okay to keep a sponge filter in the canister with water flowing over.
See my logic?
I have a ball valved connection off my gravity return from the DT upstairs to the sump in the basement equipment room, that I can open to fill the QT tank when needed or do water changes in the QT tank.
jherrin215
01/16/2009, 03:28 PM
I understand about the sponge cover, makes sense, I dont get the airline. What is it for?? I will have a HOB filter running in this tank to keep everything stirred up when not in use. If I keep it in the basement then I will have to have a heater running constantly as it stays pretty cool down there in the winter. I would just set it up close to all the other tanks so water changes would be easy.
English, is your QT in the basement? So you just leave the valve closed normally, when you want to do a water change you just siphon out how much you want to change then open that valve and let the water from your DT flow into the QT to fill it back up?? Makes sense!!
Toddrtrex
01/16/2009, 03:32 PM
The reason for the airline would be to draw water into the sponge, and therefor to the bacteria.
A cheap HOB would work too, just put its sponge (( or filter plate )) in your sump until you need to QT. The point is to seed the sponge so you will have a limited ammonia spike.
Of course after you are done, clean the heck out of that stuff, so you don't cross containment anything.
jherrin215
01/16/2009, 03:43 PM
I got ya!! So I can just use my HOB, When its empty leave the filters in the sump for the main tank, before I put in a new fish for quarintine I need to get them out and put them back in the filter. Once I remove the fish from quarintine clean the filters in fresh water and leave in the sump. What do i need to do with the water in the QT if I ever have a problem just leave it alone until I get everything taken care of then trach the water??
Toddrtrex
01/16/2009, 03:46 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14171718#post14171718 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jherrin215
I got ya!! So I can just use my HOB, When its empty leave the filters in the sump for the main tank, before I put in a new fish for quarintine I need to get them out and put them back in the filter. Once I remove the fish from quarintine clean the filters in fresh water and leave in the sump. What do i need to do with the water in the QT if I ever have a problem just leave it alone until I get everything taken care of then trach the water??
Getting there. ;)
Once you remove the filters from the QT, I would do more then must clean in fresh water --- I would use bleach, and then let them sit out for a well.
As for the water in the QT, if you are taking about after a treatment (( if you have to treat )), I would ditch the water, and clean that tank just like you would clean the filters.
jherrin215
01/16/2009, 03:51 PM
Cool sounds good. I guess if I had to do any medicating I would trach the filters and if I didn't have any trouble there wouldn't be any need for real cleaning of the filters just back to the sump for more seeding!! Thanks Todd!!
Toddrtrex
01/16/2009, 03:54 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14171772#post14171772 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jherrin215
Cool sounds good. I guess if I had to do any medicating I would trach the filters and if I didn't have any trouble there wouldn't be any need for real cleaning of the filters just back to the sump for more seeding!! Thanks Todd!!
Exactly. But, depending on what fish you QTed, might want to clean the filters/sponges before putting them back in the sump --- it is easy to do, and a lot better then something happening to your DT.
Sure thing, glad to help.
EnglishRebel
01/16/2009, 04:08 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14171578#post14171578 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jherrin215
I understand about the sponge cover, makes sense, I dont get the airline. What is it for?? I will have a HOB filter running in this tank to keep everything stirred up when not in use. If I keep it in the basement then I will have to have a heater running constantly as it stays pretty cool down there in the winter. I would just set it up close to all the other tanks so water changes would be easy.
English, is your QT in the basement? So you just leave the valve closed normally, when you want to do a water change you just siphon out how much you want to change then open that valve and let the water from your DT flow into the QT to fill it back up?? Makes sense!!
Yes my QT (and all of the other equipment) is in room off my basement. Last night it was 15 outside and the room never got below 55. The QT tank has a drain on the bottom so I can drain off a few gallons and refill from the DT which in turn will get replaced as I have the ability to pump fresh SW into the sump. By using DT water for changes you don't have to worry about temperature and salinity and it's water that your fish will eventually live in so he gets acclimatized.
jherrin215
01/16/2009, 11:01 PM
Awesome!! I love that idea!! I am going to be using a very similar set up so I could easily do the same thing!!
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