petlover516

Hi everybody. i am about to set-up a 55gal Amazon BioTope, and listening to this wonderful site has convinced me to set-up a 10gal Q-Tank. i am on 3 other 3 other forums, but since the person running this site believes in quarantine, i know i'll definately get an answer. my Question is: How do i keep the bacteria alive if there will be no ammonia in the tank for most of the time? i will be using a sponge filter, so should i just keep it in the 55 and when i need to Q, place it in the 10gal?

Jonah

Ahh another convert to Mike's QT army. Yup you said it yoursself, run the QT filter in your main tank when you dont need a QT tank running.

BUT if you get a fish in QT with an issue, sterilise the sponge filter before you put it back in the main tank or you will defeat the idea of QT'ing.

Funny how often that is overlooked.

petlover516

Thanx-how would i sterelize it?

Jonah

Mild bleach solution 1:19 then rinse well with lots of dechlorinator in the water

petlover516

whatya mean by 1:19?

Amanda

you could also keep a few snails in the 10 gal. to keep it cycled.

petlover516

i like that idea better much less hassle-but wait what will the snails eat?

Jonah

1 part Bleach to 19 parts water.

petlover516

k

Franklin

Just replace the sponge on the filter,and rinse the part of the filter the sponge goes on in the bleach solution.

Franklin

You will need to feed the spirulina discs.

petlover516

OK im going with snails!

Amanda

Or blanched cucumber/zucchini. It's cheaper & easier.