"Disinfecting" a QT

Giovanni · 08/28/2015, 03:12 PM

Is there a quick way to "disinfect" an established QT without having to cycle it over?

Fraggedmind · 08/28/2015, 03:18 PM

Is it for fish only? Is it plumbed to your DT?

Giovanni · 08/28/2015, 03:21 PM

There is no way I would plumb a QT to my DT. LOL One major point is to keep disease out of the DT. LOL

Sk8r · 08/28/2015, 03:23 PM

This is why I recommend an 'uncycled' qt. You're pretty well forced to break it down, toss all sand and rock, and dry it all, (or run pure vinegar through the pump for 24 hours) or leave it fallow 72 days. With an uncycled, you just clean the pump and wipe down the tank and let it dry.

Giovanni · 08/28/2015, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

This is why I recommend an 'uncycled' qt. You're pretty well forced to break it down, toss all sand and rock, and dry it all, (or run pure vinegar through the pump for 24 hours) or leave it fallow 72 days. With an uncycled, you just clean the pump and wipe down the tank and let it dry.

OK with an "uncycled QT" how do you deal with it cycling while you have to QT something?

[I keep changing the filter medium (I use pillow floss) so it won't cycle.---sk8r]

Fraggedmind · 08/28/2015, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giovanni

There is no way I would plumb a QT to my DT. LOL One major point is to keep disease out of the DT. LOL

I ask because you never know. Outside of copper I think you are breaking down. I don't believe it is recommended to "cycle" a QT tank for fish.

Fraggedmind · 08/28/2015, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giovanni

OK with an "uncycled QT" how do you deal with it cycling while you have to QT something?

I pull water from my DT to fill my QT. Bare bottom and no need for cycle

Deinonych · 08/28/2015, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giovanni

OK with an "uncycled QT" how do you deal with it cycling while you have to QT something?

I break down my QT once a fish has "graduated" to the DT. When it's time to get a new fish, I use fresh SW and add a bottle of Bio-spira to seed the biofilter. I use ceramic media (like SeaChem Matrix) in a HOB filter to provide surface area for the bacteria to populate. I've never had a problem with biofiltration using this method.

Giovanni · 08/28/2015, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deinonych

I break down my QT once a fish has "graduated" to the DT. When it's time to get a new fish, I use fresh SW and add a bottle of Bio-spira to seed the biofilter. I use ceramic media (like SeaChem Matrix) in a HOB filter to provide surface area for the bacteria to populate. I've never had a problem with biofiltration using this method.

That is actually how I have done it for the last couple of years. Technically it is cycled when you put in the Bio-spira. However I recently got a Regal and put a couple pieces of large LR from my DT sump in there also. Turns out the Regal died after only 9 days and I think it was velvet. I have never had velvet on any fish ever. Anyway I am not sure I will ever put that LR back in my DT

I figure after 25 years of keeping marine fish I still don't know everything so I thought I would ask.

otakujoe · 08/28/2015, 05:01 PM

I'd advise a complete breakdown every time. Better safe than sorry.

Fin Mike · 08/29/2015, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giovanni

I figure after 25 years of keeping marine fish I still don't know everything so I thought I would ask.

Boy, you got that right! 25+years here too and I'm fumbling all over myself. It's humbling.

Newsmyrna80 · 08/29/2015, 08:22 PM

The very definition of sterilizing is removing all bacteria (good and bad) and parasites. To instantly cycle a QT I keep a sponge filter in my refugium and add to the HOB in the QT.
I wouldn't toss the LR that was exposed to velvet if it is something you want to keep. You can keep it in a 5 gallon bucket with an air stone and let it run fallow for a couple of months which will kill off the parasite. Then add it back to the main.

Giovanni · 08/30/2015, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newsmyrna80

The very definition of sterilizing is removing all bacteria (good and bad) and parasites. To instantly cycle a QT I keep a sponge filter in my refugium and add to the HOB in the QT.
I wouldn't toss the LR that was exposed to velvet if it is something you want to keep. You can keep it in a 5 gallon bucket with an air stone and let it run fallow for a couple of months which will kill off the parasite. Then add it back to the main.

The original post says Disinfect and not sterilize. Big difference. Not looking for the old tried and true methods of setting up a QT but thought there might be some new and innovative method for killing the parasites that infect our fish without killing off the beneficial bacteria.

snorvich · 08/30/2015, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deinonych

I break down my QT once a fish has "graduated" to the DT. When it's time to get a new fish, I use fresh SW and add a bottle of Bio-spira to seed the biofilter. I use ceramic media (like SeaChem Matrix) in a HOB filter to provide surface area for the bacteria to populate. I've never had a problem with biofiltration using this method.

Works very well.

snorvich · 08/30/2015, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giovanni

The original post says Disinfect and not sterilize. Big difference. Not looking for the old tried and true methods of setting up a QT but thought there might be some new and innovative method for killing the parasites that infect our fish without killing off the beneficial bacteria.

Some parasites are easy with regards to fallow period (six weeks in some cases, 72 days in others). Some, such as uronema, do not need a fish host. So, sterilization and reestablishment as Chris suggested are preferred.

ViktorVaughn · 08/30/2015, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giovanni

OK with an "uncycled QT" how do you deal with it cycling while you have to QT something?

[I keep changing the filter medium (I use pillow floss) so it won't cycle.---sk8r]

Keep a couple filter pads in your sump. I use the fluval ones that are around 4" wide and 12" long. After a few weeks of being in your DT's sump, there should be sufficient bacteria on the filter to get your QT going.

Deinonych · 08/30/2015, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ViktorVaughn

Keep a couple filter pads in your sump. I use the fluval ones that are around 4" wide and 12" long. After a few weeks of being in your DT's sump, there should be sufficient bacteria on the filter to get your QT going.

+1

This works very well in lieu of seeding with Bio-spira.

08/28/2015, 03:12 PM	#1
Giovanni AKA Flippa Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: KY Posts: 2,207 Blog Entries: 8	"Disinfecting" a QT Is there a quick way to "disinfect" an established QT without having to cycle it over? __________________ Giovanni Most of My Money I Spent On Whiskey, Women and Reefing, The Rest I Just Waisted! Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

08/28/2015, 03:21 PM	#3
Giovanni AKA Flippa Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: KY Posts: 2,207 Blog Entries: 8	There is no way I would plumb a QT to my DT. LOL One major point is to keep disease out of the DT. LOL __________________ Giovanni Most of My Money I Spent On Whiskey, Women and Reefing, The Rest I Just Waisted! Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

08/28/2015, 03:23 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	This is why I recommend an 'uncycled' qt. You're pretty well forced to break it down, toss all sand and rock, and dry it all, (or run pure vinegar through the pump for 24 hours) or leave it fallow 72 days. With an uncycled, you just clean the pump and wipe down the tank and let it dry. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/29/2015, 08:22 PM	#12
Newsmyrna80 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 2,312	The very definition of sterilizing is removing all bacteria (good and bad) and parasites. To instantly cycle a QT I keep a sponge filter in my refugium and add to the HOB in the QT. I wouldn't toss the LR that was exposed to velvet if it is something you want to keep. You can keep it in a 5 gallon bucket with an air stone and let it run fallow for a couple of months which will kill off the parasite. Then add it back to the main. __________________ 80 gal frag with 30 gal refugium, Orphek Atlantik LED, Red Sea RSK300 skimmer, predominately SPS and LPS Current Tank Info: 80 gallon reef tank with 30 gal refugium

08/28/2015, 03:18 PM	#2
Fraggedmind Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 102	Is it for fish only? Is it plumbed to your DT?

08/28/2015, 05:01 PM	#10
otakujoe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 6	I'd advise a complete breakdown every time. Better safe than sorry.