Best way to keep empty QT cycled

Mr31415 · 07/25/2006, 08:51 AM

I cannot really take down my QT tank due to its design. What is the best way to keep it cycled? I have reado some articles on this forum and am a bit afraid of just feeding it or using one of the commercial products.

What is the best way to keep the tank cycled good enough that at any time I can add one or two fish to it for quarantine purposes?

crumbletop · 07/25/2006, 08:53 AM

You can toss a sponge/biowheel in your sump for your main tank. Then when you need to set up the QT, you can add display water and the sponge/biowheel.

UH_OH_5_OH · 07/25/2006, 09:29 AM

What about keeping a damsel in it while its empty....?

Mr31415 · 07/25/2006, 09:35 AM

The problem is what do I do with the damsel when I add new fish for QT?

Bradco · 07/25/2006, 11:08 AM

The old bio wheel from the sump and water from main tank worked for me.

uvaduthie · 07/25/2006, 12:13 PM

Its probably not great for the health of the damsel, but why not just leave it in the QT as you quarantine new fish? You'll notice any signs of stress or diease and can treat with or without another fish present.

Mr31415 · 07/26/2006, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by uvaduthie
Its probably not great for the health of the damsel, but why not just leave it in the QT as you quarantine new fish? You'll notice any signs of stress or diease and can treat with or without another fish present.

Because Damsels are very territorial and aggressive fish and will put more stress on newcomers.

Kabong · 07/26/2006, 01:16 AM

Technically a tank will stay cycled as long as there's a source of ammonia. So you can hold a cycle by "feeding" the tank.
Just toss in a little food every few days and it will rot and produce ammonia keeping the tank cycled.

lux_06 · 07/26/2006, 10:02 AM

stick some mollys in there, but you may have 5000 in a few weeks!!!seriously it worked for me cos i could occasionally feed em to a lionfish.

07/25/2006, 08:51 AM	#1
Mr31415 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Surrey, Canada Posts: 1,926	Best way to keep empty QT cycled I cannot really take down my QT tank due to its design. What is the best way to keep it cycled? I have reado some articles on this forum and am a bit afraid of just feeding it or using one of the commercial products. What is the best way to keep the tank cycled good enough that at any time I can add one or two fish to it for quarantine purposes?

07/25/2006, 08:53 AM	#2
crumbletop Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 4,718	You can toss a sponge/biowheel in your sump for your main tank. Then when you need to set up the QT, you can add display water and the sponge/biowheel. __________________ "Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before." - GK Chesterton Current Tank Info: 90 gallon AGA RR. 20 gal sump. 6x54W T5. AquaController Jr.

07/25/2006, 09:29 AM	#3
UH_OH_5_OH Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,184	What about keeping a damsel in it while its empty....? __________________ Life is hard; it's alot harder if you're stupid ! Current Tank Info: None !

07/25/2006, 11:08 AM	#5
Bradco Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: West Haven, Connecticut Posts: 145	The old bio wheel from the sump and water from main tank worked for me. __________________ MCSE,MCP,MCP+I CCA,CCEA Current Tank Info: 125g 160lbs Live sand 150lbs LR 1 Purple Tang, 1 Scopas Tang 1 Foxface 1 striped Damsel 1 Powder Blue 1 Fire Angel 1 Blonde Naso 1 Striped Puffer pom pom Xenia green mushroom rock.CB Shrimp, 2 Brittle Stars, 1 Sand sifting Star, Serpent Star

07/25/2006, 09:35 AM	#4
Mr31415 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Surrey, Canada Posts: 1,926	The problem is what do I do with the damsel when I add new fish for QT?

07/25/2006, 12:13 PM	#6
uvaduthie Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 24	Its probably not great for the health of the damsel, but why not just leave it in the QT as you quarantine new fish? You'll notice any signs of stress or diease and can treat with or without another fish present.

07/26/2006, 01:16 AM	#8
Kabong Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Brentwood Bay B.C. Posts: 454	Technically a tank will stay cycled as long as there's a source of ammonia. So you can hold a cycle by "feeding" the tank. Just toss in a little food every few days and it will rot and produce ammonia keeping the tank cycled.

07/26/2006, 10:02 AM	#9
lux_06 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: down under Posts: 472	stick some mollys in there, but you may have 5000 in a few weeks!!!seriously it worked for me cos i could occasionally feed em to a lionfish.