A word of advice on the QT: make sure it is cycled! Sometimes the " instant QT" still has to cycle. I did mine w water from my DT and a new sponge filter. Sadly, I lost every fish except for one blue damsel and I'm convinced that it is because the QT didn't have enough beneficial bacteria. After you get that filter media seeded let the QT tank run for a while. Test it just like your DT that you are setting up. Another thing I learned is that you need to keep an ammonia source going in your DT. The discussion above reminded me of this. Don't want you to think that once you make that goal of processing 4ppm in 24 hours and get your tank fully cycled that you can just stop w the ammonia. Those 2 months or so while you get fish for Christmas and go through QT, you will need to keep feeding the bacteria in your DT or they will die off. When my DT had to lie fallow because of ich, I had no fish in it, but still put food in every few days to keep the bacteria happy.
A word of advice on the QT: make sure it is cycled! Sometimes the " instant QT" still has to cycle. I did mine w water from my DT and a new sponge filter. Sadly, I lost every fish except for one blue damsel and I'm convinced that it is because the QT didn't have enough beneficial bacteria. After you get that filter media seeded let the QT tank run for a while. Test it just like your DT that you are setting up.
Another thing I learned is that you need to keep an ammonia source going in your DT. The discussion above reminded me of this. Don't want you to think that once you make that goal of processing 4ppm in 24 hours and get your tank fully cycled that you can just stop w the ammonia. Those 2 months or so while you get fish for Christmas and go through QT, you will need to keep feeding the bacteria in your DT or they will die off. When my DT had to lie fallow because of ich, I had no fish in it, but still put food in every few days to keep the bacteria happy.
Your qt wasn't cycled because you used old tank water and a new sponge filter. I know, I know, someone told you that's how to do an instant cycle, but it's backwards. The nitrifying bacteria that colonize our tanks for biological filtration are strictly surface adhering species. They live on the rocks, on the grains of sand, stuck to the side of the tank walls, but not free floating in the water. By using old tank water, you transferred almost zero ammonia eating bacteria.
For the instant cycle to work, you can use brand new saltwater, but you must use a biological medium with high surface area (sponge, filter floss, live rock) that has already been in a cycled tank. But like Callen said, always test first!
As for an ammonia source in the empty display tank... Yes and no. If the tank will be lying fallow (fishless) for upwards of six months, then the bacteria will need sustenance. However, in the short term (like a month for quarantine) they will be just fine. In fact, they are capable of lying completely dormant and almost inert for several weeks. Once you've built a bacterial colony capable of going from 4 ppm ammonia to zero in 24 hours, the time spent quarantining new fish should not harm the cycle. If you wish to test this, try the ammonia dosing after two weeks without any. The bacteria will wake up and convert it.
But like Callen said, if a tank is lying fallow long enough to kill ich, it will need food.
Your qt wasn't cycled because you used old tank water and a new sponge filter. I know, I know, someone told you that's how to do an instant cycle, but it's backwards. The nitrifying bacteria that colonize our tanks for biological filtration are strictly surface adhering species. They live on the rocks, on the grains of sand, stuck to the side of the tank walls, but not free floating in the water. By using old tank water, you transferred almost zero ammonia eating bacteria.
For the instant cycle to work, you can use brand new saltwater, but you must use a biological medium with high surface area (sponge, filter floss, live rock) that has already been in a cycled tank. But like Callen said, always test first!
As for an ammonia source in the empty display tank... Yes and no. If the tank will be lying fallow (fishless) for upwards of six months, then the bacteria will need sustenance. However, in the short term (like a month for quarantine) they will be just fine. In fact, they are capable of lying completely dormant and almost inert for several weeks. Once you've built a bacterial colony capable of going from 4 ppm ammonia to zero in 24 hours, the time spent quarantining new fish should not harm the cycle. If you wish to test this, try the ammonia dosing after two weeks without any. The bacteria will wake up and convert it.
But like Callen said, if a tank is lying fallow long enough to kill ich, it will need food.
Thanks Mac and Callen!That puts my mind at ease.Hey Crip: I took a look at the black net and it looks good. I couldn't tell from the description what size the holes are. Just know that the egg crate holes are 1/2 inch square and my gobies jumped through that. Maybe they just had good aim, or they were just persistent..who knows?!
I think the net would be fine with the hood..but wouldn't the hood keep everyone inside without the net? Jumpers could still catch some air...but the walls of the hood would keep them contained?
As to temp regulation I would venture to say that any completely closed system, especially one with the lights contained inside (like a hood) would trap heat in and reduce the air flow. You will probably have to account for that when setting the temp on your heater. I would also think air flow would be better with a hood than with a glass top, given there is more space above the tank. I dont have a hood, but dont they have an open area at the top back? IF so, that would allow circulation of fresh air. I would think that combined with powerheads aimed at the surface of the water would help with the oxygenization.
@Mac: Thanks for the additional information on ammonia, bacteria, in QT and DT..I dont want to put bad info out there and always want to help others and learn as I go. I'm already seeding my next sponge filter in my sump so I can get ready for my next round of fish!