QT/HT tank setup

I suspect that breaking the tank down between qt's would eliminate any pests. Also, placing bioballs back in the display is risky if they aren't allowed to dry out after the qt.

 

That is some great information. What do you "dip" your coral in? Do you only do it once and then acclimate to your DT or are there other steps i will need to take? Also what do you use to dip them? The zoas I am wanting to get I will have to order online so i can get a variety of color so i will not really be able to visually inspect them before buying and will need to have a plan ready before I order anything.

I was hoping to be able to use a PH instead of a sponge filter due to the fact i would be able to use the PH for other uses when not in use with the QT. I understand the sponge filter was better but, what were the differences you experienced?

My plan with the bioballs was going to be that i would have a bag with some in it sitting in my sump so they would have bacteria on them, when I needed them and put them in the QT I would have another set ready to drop in the sump and when i am finished with them in the QT I would soak them in vinegar or maybe bleach them and dry them and get them ready for the next rotation as needed.

The point of doing this was so I wouldn't have to have the QT running all the time to decrease maintenance and the temptation to use it for non-QT/HT uses, frag tank. If this is not a good idea though I really want honest feedback so I don't make a stupid mistake.

 

I guess I misread. I thought you were leaving the qt running all the time and I was concerned about the possibility of forward contamination. The bioballs were the other point of concern. But since you will be cleaning them before reusing, I don't see a problem. It sounds like ballgame speaks from experience. I imagine that there is quite a bit more surface area on sponge than bio balls for bacteria to glom on to.

 

I would like to not have it running all the time. But i am beginning to think that it should be up at all times. You are probably right about the sponge having more surface area. I guess I will bite the bullet and get an airpump and sponge filter. It will probably come in handy at some point anyway. Any suggestions on a good brand for air pump?

 

My concern about it running all the time is that whatever bugs come in on frag or fish, may be able to survive till the next animal comes along. I think you had it right by drying it out between stockings. That should eliminate most any pathogens that may have come into that tank.

 

So if I have a sponge filter that runs in my sump thus being seeded and ready to go at a moments notice, would this keep the ammonia cycle in check along with WCs?

 

That's the theory anyway. Of course it will depend on bio load.

 

Best case scenario, it would only be 1 fish at a time. Hopefully with implementing the QT process, it will lessen the chance for needing to treat all the fish at once. At that point I would have a huge problem on my hands.

 

I'm sure doing qt will drastically reduce the odds of having to qt all your fish. I'm in the same boat. Been lucky so far. I'm going to qt from here on.

 

Bio balls are a bad idea for QT. And get a both a sponge filter and a PH. Use sponge in QT and ph for other things.
I think you're thinking too much about this. It needs to be bare for a reason. I don't know reason sponge worked immediately and ph didn't.
QT is meant to be short term and you'll be using meds to treat fish and coral.
Also sponge filters airate the tank too. It cost me $6