QT substrate

[HappyHooligan]

Can I put some gravel in some kind of porous cloth to aid filtration in my QT?
That way I can just pull it out if I need to medicate the tank.
I currently have a HOB power filter running but it's made for a 10g tank and my QT is 39g.
I just want to boost the bacteria level a little bit. I'm thinking a pound or so of gravel in a new piece of pantyhose or something.

 

[Etunes]

No, a QT tank should be substrateless to be effective, but a sponge filter or just a sponge would help boost it. Since it is a HOB filter you could probably stuff it in there. Be careful though, some sponges will fall to peices so be careful.

 

[HappyHooligan]

just any type of sponge?

 

[Etunes]

Ya, you could get 1 from the store, a carwashing spong works the best. If you just by 1 at the store though be REALLY careful and read for anything that could harm the fish (soap for example) and don't get a sponge with the scrubby pad on 1 end. But a car wash sponge works best.

http://www.made-in-china.com/image/2f0j00TvlQHhWsOLkuM/Car-Wash-Sponge-CS311-.jpg

Also as DIY sponge filter works great for QT tanks, and there cheap.
Make Your Own Sponge Filter (DIY FILTER PROJECTS)
How to make a DIY sponge filter [Forum - DIY] : American Livebearer Association

 

[CaptainAhab]

In reality you'll probably be fine w/ the 10g filter. it's not so much the size of the tank but the amount of waste that's going to be produced. I would assume your QT won't have more than 1 or 2 fish? If you have decorations/PVC for the fish to hide in the bacteria will colonize there as well.

But if you insist, gravel would be fine since you're not really using it as a substrate but more as a confined pile to house bacteria. In that case, put it in your sump/tank for a week or 2 and then move it to the QT when you need it.. Instant bacteria !