morgan175 August 30, 2014 Share August 30, 2014 I have been told I need to add fish to my tank so here we go. 10 gallon tank Heater Whisper filter Lid Light vho Piece of pipe to hide in Ammonia tag First question. I put a filter sleeve into my tank to build bacteria on it. How long does it need to seed before adding to tank. 2? I plan on using water from my tank to fill. Bad idea or not. 3? Should the cycle still happen if I do question 1 and 2. 4? I'm already stressing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef August 30, 2014 Share August 30, 2014 Needs about a week to build up bacteria from your tank... You can use water from your tank this time..but if you ever had a problem you wouldn't want to be transferring an issue... You won't have a cycle in a QT tank since there is no live rock or sand in the tank...nothing to really cycle, which is why you have to keep up on the water changes daily instead of monthly... Yes, it is a tad stressful to setup and maintain a QT... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf August 30, 2014 Share August 30, 2014 You can slow the water changes down by adding some liverock from your system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuffyGeos August 30, 2014 Share August 30, 2014 I have two question: Can you run a protein skimmer on a QT tank? Would this reduce the water changes? Also, aren't you only suppose to change some or all of the water if it is between treatments? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf August 30, 2014 Share August 30, 2014 I have two question: Can you run a protein skimmer on a QT tank? Would this reduce the water changes? Also, aren't you only suppose to change some or all of the water if it is between treatments? I'm sure a skimmer would reduce the need, but it could also reduce the effectiveness of the medication. I would change all the water once a quarantine is finished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef August 30, 2014 Share August 30, 2014 If there will be medication used, then no skimmer, and also many many water changes... But if this is for viewing first before putting in the tank to see IF meds are needed then if you have a hang on skimmer why not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf August 30, 2014 Share August 30, 2014 If there will be medication used, then no skimmer, and also many many water changes... But if this is for viewing first before putting in the tank to see IF meds are needed then if you have a hang on skimmer why not? +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuffyGeos August 30, 2014 Share August 30, 2014 I'm sure a skimmer would reduce the need, but it could also reduce the effectiveness of the medication. I would change all the water once a quarantine is finished. Ok, makes sense.....don't want to pull the meds out of the water. Surf & Turf....I just realized something, it must of caught my eye because of my driving directions today. I was just in your area today to pick up my son on Carper's Pike near Yellow Spring at the Concord Retreat. He was there for a Cross Country camp with his school. Beautiful area, he commented on how many stars he could see at night, and was amazed. So I had to have the light pollution talk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf August 30, 2014 Share August 30, 2014 Ok, makes sense.....don't want to pull the meds out of the water. Surf & Turf....I just realized something, it must of caught my eye because of my driving directions today. I was just in your area today to pick up my son on Carper's Pike near Yellow Spring at the Concord Retreat. He was there for a Cross Country camp with his school. Beautiful area, he commented on how many stars he could see at night, and was amazed. So I had to have the light pollution talk! Yep, you were right around the corner. Small world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgan175 August 30, 2014 Author Share August 30, 2014 Ok. I hear many many water changes. Are you doing these because of ammonia. You said daily how much in a 10 gallon. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgan175 August 30, 2014 Author Share August 30, 2014 Ok. That means also I can buy a fish tomorrow and start the process. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef August 30, 2014 Share August 30, 2014 Yes because of ammonia...probably 3-5 gallons daily or every other day... If your not using meds, you can get an ammonia badge to check..but I would not go more than 2 days without changing some water... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf August 30, 2014 Share August 30, 2014 Yes because of ammonia...probably 3-5 gallons daily or every other day... If your not using meds, you can get an ammonia badge to check..but I would not go more than 2 days without changing some water... He already has the ammonia badge. So let it roll.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgan175 August 30, 2014 Author Share August 30, 2014 Do I want to run carbon at first in my whisper filter. What medication should I have on hand. The only stores close are petco and pet smart. If you see anything wrong please let me know. Ordering book tonight from mr saltwater. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgan175 August 30, 2014 Author Share August 30, 2014 How long does the light need to stay on. I heard where better in the dark will stress fish less. Is 4 hours ok. Thank you both for taking the time to answer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf August 31, 2014 Share August 31, 2014 You really don't need to run a light, less stress on the fish, don't run carbon either as that will pull med's from the tank. Most treat with prazi, and keep a copper treatment on hand if the need arises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newms118 August 31, 2014 Share August 31, 2014 You can slow the water changes down by adding some liverock from your system. I've read that you're not supposed to put live rock into a QT bc it will absorb the medication. When I set mine up, I just used PVC elbows for the fish to hide. Yes because of ammonia...probably 3-5 gallons daily or every other day... If your not using meds, you can get an ammonia badge to check..but I would not go more than 2 days without changing some water... I usually replaced about 3 gallons every 2 to 3 days. I checked ammonia daily and really didn't have issues. The ammonia badge is great to use though. After about a month of the tank running (I ended up having them in QT for 2 months), the tank cycled and the QT care was easy. Water changes were done more so to lower the nitrate level than any other issue. And yes some say that its not possible for the nitrate level to climb high enough to cause an issue, but the fish (1 clown, 2 yellow-tail blue damsels, and one royal gramma) were visibly distressed and responded much better when the nitrate levels dropped. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1409442825.001139.jpg Do I want to run carbon at first in my whisper filter. What medication should I have on hand. The only stores close are petco and pet smart. If you see anything wrong please let me know. Ordering book tonight from mr saltwater. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk From what I've read, if you are going to treat, no carbon since that will just pull it out. I used an hang over the back filter stuffed with filter floss to just collect the particulate matter. The trick was making sure the fish ate ALL of the food added, and if any is missed, just scoop out with the net so that it doesn't add to the build up of ammonia. For medication, I'd get Prazipro (for internal parasites) and some form of copper (I used Coppersafe but many use Cupramine) for ich and gill flukes. If you use Coppersafe, the only copper test that will work is the API which tests for total copper. If you get cupramine, than the salifert copper test will work. Of course testing for copper is required because of how toxic it is. You may already know all this or have a lot of experience but I figured I'd just add some details since I just went though this QT business over the summer. And for lights, I didn't really pay much attention to that. the fish were kept in the kitchen (on the Island) so if they wanted somewhere dark to go they had the PVC elbows, one for each fish so no fighting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newms118 August 31, 2014 Share August 31, 2014 You really don't need to run a light, less stress on the fish, don't run carbon either as that will pull med's from the tank. Most treat with prazi, and keep a copper treatment on hand if the need arises. Beat me to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newms118 August 31, 2014 Share August 31, 2014 So where are you getting the fish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squishie89 August 31, 2014 Share August 31, 2014 (edited) How long does the light need to stay on. I heard where better in the dark will stress fish less. Is 4 hours ok. Thank you both for taking the time to answer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I keep my QT lights the same as my main tank lights, that way they are already adjusted to my light schedule. Edited August 31, 2014 by Squishie89 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgan175 August 31, 2014 Author Share August 31, 2014 So where are you getting the fish? Driving to quantum reefs for my first time. It will take about an hour and half. I really want to start with something a little on the tougher side. Either thinking fox face or Bengai cardinals. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newms118 August 31, 2014 Share August 31, 2014 (edited) Driving to quantum reefs for my first time. It will take about an hour and half. I really want to start with something a little on the tougher side. Either thinking fox face or Bengai cardinals. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Just be sure that the fish you get look pretty healthy. I got some fish (2 clowns) from there that went through Quantum's quarantine treatment, but when I got them back to my tank, I lost one in 3 days and the other a week later. Both due to gill flukes (I treated to late) that had to have come from that store since these were my first two fish. I've had success with King of Corals for healthy fish. Edited August 31, 2014 by Newms118 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WheresTheReef August 31, 2014 Share August 31, 2014 I prefer to cycle the QT. Takes longer, but less stress on the fish (and you). Also, when medicating it is really hard to maintain the proper dose when you are constantly doing water changes. Consider an ammonia binder in case ammonia starts to rise. I would also consider an ATO. With a tank that small it doesn't take much evaporation + top offs to cause salinity swings. This can be stressful on the fish. Additionally, for some medications it is important to maintain steady water parameters. It is ok to run carbon in your filter unless you are medicating. Be careful when choosing medications/treatments as some fish do not tolerate copper. I prefer to not run lights to avoid algae growing in the QT. There is enough ambient light from the room and your DT if have the QT nearby. I usually just turn the light on for observation + when feeding. Make sure and remove any uneaten food. Feed lightly in that small tank. I moved to using 20g long for my QT for more water volume and swimming room. More forgiving, especially when just starting out and learning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgan175 August 31, 2014 Author Share August 31, 2014 I prefer to cycle the QT. Takes longer, but less stress on the fish (and you). Also, when medicating it is really hard to maintain the proper dose when you are constantly doing water changes. Consider an ammonia binder in case ammonia starts to rise. I would also consider an ATO. With a tank that small it doesn't take much evaporation + top offs to cause salinity swings. This can be stressful on the fish. Additionally, for some medications it is important to maintain steady water parameters. It is ok to run carbon in your filter unless you are medicating. Be careful when choosing medications/treatments as some fish do not tolerate copper. I prefer to not run lights to avoid algae growing in the QT. There is enough ambient light from the room and your DT if have the QT nearby. I usually just turn the light on for observation + when feeding. Make sure and remove any uneaten food. Feed lightly in that small tank. I moved to using 20g long for my QT for more water volume and swimming room. More forgiving, especially when just starting out and learning. Besides an expensive ATo unit is there another way to do this. If I go 20. I have to get new everything. I more then agree with you on that point. This is a learning curve. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef August 31, 2014 Share August 31, 2014 And keep in mind, if you do end up running cupramine or copper safe the ammonia badge doesn't work as well... I'd also like to say bangaii are not very hardy.. Foxface yes, also if clowns are on your list they are one of the hardiest...(being of the same demon spawn as damsels..) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now