QT Tank Maintenance

[snowdude]

Any opinions on how to maintain a QT tank? I would like to prevent having to fill it up everytime i get a new fish. Can i just let it run all the time, and test the water once a week? I filled my current QT tank with the water from the display tank, and the replaced that 12 gal, and made it my water change for the month.

thanks

 

[steve-s]

Transfering the water from the main tank is a good start but you should still cycle the QT like any other tank. Once accomplished, you only need to place small amounts of food in it 1-2x a week to keep the bacteria fed. If the QT is needed in a hurry, simpley transfer some biomedia from the main tank. Filter pads, bioball/bale or the like. Do not use rock or substrate though.

You do not need to do water changes with it while there are no fish but I would suggest a small 10% change with newly made SW that has been prepared in advance. A day ahead of when new fish will be added. That will help ensure the chem is up to par.

Cheers
Steve