qt tank with phosphates

bryan ayo · 02-05-2008, 09:56 PM

Not really sure how long a QT tank has to be set up before putting fish in...I set one up a few days ago and started treating My fish for ich...When i tested today Ammonia was 0.50ppm which is to be expected in a 20g with all my fish....But phosphate was through the roof...I use RO water an i have only feed them once...Not sure what to do, can anyone help me with this .

**CarmieJo** · 02-05-2008, 11:38 PM

You'll need to do a water change. Here is an article Reefreaders - Quarantine Now! that talks about the various ways people set up QT tanks.

bryan ayo · 02-06-2008, 12:18 AM

COOL..And thanks...I'm not really not to familiar with hospital tanks but after this round with ich i will NEVER put a fish into my display with out QT!!!!

veriann · 02-06-2008, 06:37 AM

At the end of the day quality water changes saves all, but PO4 in a QT is not really much to sweat on in regards to fish, little to no bacteria to consume it & it maybe the food, the treatments or the fish just dropped its guts big time & is now swimming in it!

Reefbaby · 02-06-2008, 08:28 AM

Yeah, I agree with veriann....the phosphates aren't as dangerous for the fish as the ammonia levels are. Just keep up your water changes and you should be fine.

You could also do water changes with your main tanks water.....this could help to boost the bacterial population in the QT tank...

bryan ayo · 02-06-2008, 09:55 AM

I didn't have a bio sponge going so i just use tank water...Think i'm going to leave the hospital set up for QT so this doesn't happen again !

Reefbaby · 02-06-2008, 10:07 AM

then I would just do the water changes more frequently...should help to keep the levels down. By the way, have you checked your tank levels? If the levels are high there, then of course that could be the source...

bryan ayo · 02-06-2008, 10:41 AM

No my tank is stable...I this the Coper safe is giving me a false reeding on the phosphate.

Reefbaby · 02-07-2008, 03:05 AM

well, then I would just keep an eye on the ammonia and nitrates and do regular water changes...sounds like you've got it under control!

**CarmieJo** · 02-17-2008, 07:57 PM

I don't leave my QT set up all the time. I don't use a cycled QT. I keep a sponge filter in my sump and pull the water out of my DT to fill up the QT when I need it.

veriann · 02-18-2008, 03:15 AM

I prefer to run a qt 90% of the time if i can help it - space wasn't a problem for me, so running another tank on fumes wasn't an issue! It actually helped big time last time my tank sprung a leak. In an emergency you'll certainly appreciate the lack of time you need to transfer live stock - albeit in reverse in worst case situation.

Skurvey Dog · 02-18-2008, 05:17 AM

Glad everyone has got you squared away and your questions answered. I'll leave you now and go swim in some other threads.