Setting up a QT tank.

[jasonw0w]

I'm setting up a 2 gallon quarantine tank for my 12.5 planted FW tank. Do I need to fully cycle the tank or will using water from my main tank at its next water change be enough? (My plan was to do my 25% water change on the main tank and use the last gallon from that combined with a gallon of new water to set up the QT tank)

I have a test kit and will be using that for a few days before adding fish to the QT. Also I was wondering what exactly to put in the tank as far as hiding places etc. I've heard not to put substrate in a QT/hospital tank.

Anyway - opinions?

 

[RazorbacksFan]

The water from the established tank will not significantly help seed the tank but you could take a filter pad off of the main tank to put in the qt's filter if it will fit. And I would leave it completely bare.

 

[mgamer20o0]

i agree. i keep a filter on other tanks then move it over when i need it.

 

[jasonw0w]

Normally I would say that wouldn't work since the filters aren't compatible but a few weeks ago my main tank filter broke and I used the backup to filter it temporarly.

Now the backup is the "Bio-Bag" variety. I imagine the activated carbon in it is pretty old at this point. Now if keeping the older filter will help my tank cycle faster when should I replace this little filter again? Or should I just replace the carbon and keep the bag portion (which I imagine has a lot of the good bacteria).

Once I do this how will I know if my tank is cycling properly?