Setting Up Qt/restocking

Well, I now know what ick is, and that I brought it home from my LFS. Is there a way to cycle a QT tank without filter media? I tossed it when the fish got sick, and can't really leave a QT tank set up all the time....although maybe I should, now that I need to entirely restock my 29 gal tank. I have a loach and dwarf crayfish left, and wanted to QT them so I can raise the tank temp and be sure the ick is gone, but I'm unsure what to do.

 

Since ich is already in your main tank, leave the fish in the tank and raise the heat to 87F. This way you don't have to treat your main tank and your proposed quarantine tank.

Did you say that your got rid of your filter media in your main tank?

 

I got rid of the carbon filter pad but I have the sponge still in. I the future can I keep an extra sponge in the main filter in case I need to set up QT?

You think the cray and loach can take the temp increase?

 

Yes you can keep an extra sponge in your main filter and just transfer it to your qt when needed

I know the loach can but I don't know much about keeping crayfish but I would assume they can take the temp (as long as it is a slow increase) because it is only 10 degrees F above recommended keeping temp.

Let someone else answer that question because I'm only taking an educated guess, sorry

 

I appreciate the educated guess, regardless. I'm going to go get a heater now! And an extra sponge/filter/QT container so that I'm prepared. I'm hoping that a gradual temp increase will be okay. Thanks for your help. I'm overwhelmed!