Keeping Quarantine Tanks Cycled when Unoccupied
- Thread starter astrocreep
- Start date
I just keep a sponge filter running in another tank and when I need to set up a quarantine tank, I just use the filter and use some of the water from the established tank.
I have a large fish room so if any of the tanks are empty I just remove the sponges and just run the air stone for some water movement. I take all the sponge filters and place them into in the sumps of my large display tanks. Additionally, I always keep extra sponges and bagged biorings in the sumps too, for a just in case scenario. You never know when a cool new fish pops up or a new spawn so I’ll occasionally throw a tank on the floor if needed.
I have a few tanks as well with multiple filtration in mesh bags. If I need, I'll grab a bag and place it into a filter such as a HOB and fill tank up with fresh water. I don't use tank water to fill up quarantine only because if I have a ill feeling fish, cleanest fresh water is best medicine.
So it seems the main method is just pulling cycled media from a running tank to use when quarantining. That's what I have done in the past to seed new tanks until filters get established. I've been watching videos about cycling lately because I am helping my gf get a 90 Wavefront setup. I got me thinking about stocking, and quarantining.
Depending on the bioload of her new aquarium you may see a small mini-cycle which is easily fixed with water changes. My display tanks are overstocked so the loaded sponges or biorings has never ever experienced that as my QT or fish room tanks aren’t typically stocked very heavily.
It’s cool she’s interested in the hobby! It’s never been something my lovely bride has ever really shown interest in, maybe she’d be better off as an ex-wife, Lol.
It’s cool she’s interested in the hobby! It’s never been something my lovely bride has ever really shown interest in, maybe she’d be better off as an ex-wife, Lol.
Dude she is already obsessed. Talking about tanks we have zero room for lol
I'm an outlier...
I have a huge Endler colony, and an empty tank is a place for Endlers to breed and not get eaten.
I'd throw a handful in and let them build up their numbers. If I get too many, yank a scoop and throw them in with some cichlids (that's what they're for anyway).
And also... when I move a sick or injured fish into the "hospital" tank (aka Endler tank) his response to Endlers helps me evaluate his condition.
I have a huge Endler colony, and an empty tank is a place for Endlers to breed and not get eaten.
I'd throw a handful in and let them build up their numbers. If I get too many, yank a scoop and throw them in with some cichlids (that's what they're for anyway).
And also... when I move a sick or injured fish into the "hospital" tank (aka Endler tank) his response to Endlers helps me evaluate his condition.