connecting Q/T to main system

[james1990]

Stay with me on this one,

Could I run a ball valve with a union that dumps display water into a Q/T tank? this way I can do a water change on my main system and divert the water change water into the Q/T tank and run it throughout the separate system for Q/T

water change water from the Q/T would then be disposed of due to contamination.

im planning my fish room but to run a complete separate system for Q/T seems like alot of maintenance.

 

[al0ha]

what you originally proposed sounds a bit more complicated than just running a completely separate system.


plus i wouldnt do it just so it stays 100% contamination free

 

[BaaMNYC]

Sounds like a good idea to me but at one point or another you still need to do water changes in your qt. Because the nitrates and phosphates will build up from the DT and then more in the qt. unless its empty part of the time and only up when you need it.

 

[james1990]

I think its a good idea if you put the thought into it. I would keep the Q/T tank dry, and when its needed all I would do is turn the ball valve on the main system and fill up the Q/T...this would seed the Q/T instantly with established water rather than using an old filter or something to seed the Q/T.

Instead of doing a full water change on both the display and the Q/T, your just doing one water change with an extra step.

And the best part, there is Zero contamination of the tanks because the drain is above the water and is only on momentarily. I may setup a small 10gallon sump on the Q/T for a heater/return pump for flow. all of which will be used only for Q/T with cooper dosing.

let me know what you guys think, If you have the room, this seems ALOT easier for getting the new fish healthy for the display.

 

[al0ha]

hmmmmmm, would you have to drill a hole to plumb the QT to the dt? also if you're gonna keep it dry when not in use, why not just keep a separate tank and fill it with tank water manually when u need to use it. i mean i personally wouldnt chance it with the QT being linked with the DT esp if you are using copper.

i'd just keep the QT nice and simple: tank, simple heater and filter, and a hiding spot

 

[james1990]

I see your point and your right, for the amount of time its in use theres no need to go fancy. Im just adding to the quest to always make things as automated as possible so I dont slack off on husbandry. Its what keeps the hobby fresh for me.

I wouldnt plumb the tanks together, I agree thats too risky for contamination. I was picturing just a T off of the drain with a closed ball valve. I would then be able to just turn the ball valve and divert drain water into the top of the Q/T. So the two systems would never touch. like how your faucet sits above your sink.

 

[ClownAquatics]

I thought about doing the same on my personal system at home.

Is your though to actually keep it running like this at all times? So when you do the water change the water will go through the QT?

Or will it be plumbed to he system at all times?

The problem that I see with it is that if you are going to QT anything, it needs to be in its own system. If it is connected to your main system then it is not really a QT.

Now lets make sure that we are all on the same page as what a QT is to you.

If you plan on using this as a Hospital tank if you get a sick fish then it is not a good idea IMO. If you get a sick fish in your DT and move it to this system, I would think that you would want fresh clean SW to rehabilitate this fish. Not stinky WC water.

I still do not leave my QT running at all times. I just keeps some ceramic filter media in bags in my sump. So when I do need the QT I just do eactly what you are talking about. I start the system with the WC water from my main system and and the ceramic media.

But water changes on the QT are always fresh SW.

 

[reefs4life]

Clown, I was going to write the same thing until I took the time to read through everything posted so far.

Technically he will not be plumbing the QT to his main system. He is just asking if he could use the water he would take out anyways for water changes and use it to fill up his QT. He pretty much just wants it in a way where he can just turn a ball valve from his main system and have it fill up the QT, pretty much doing the water change instantly on the main system (given that the water is replaced) and making use of the 'waste' water by putting it in the QT.

My answer to you James, I see no reason why you couldn't do this, there would be 0 contamination, especially if you're filling it from the top like you said. I have mine going directly in my drain and I have no worries of contamination from the dirty sewer lol

 

[jaa1456]

Also you wouldn't be seeding the QT with the old water, there is minimal bacteria in the water colony and most of it is not beneficial. Seeding a sponge or rock is the best way to do this, just keep one in your sump and when your ready for the QT you have the instant seeding you need. The old water from the DT is still a good idea as you will be reusing it and its only for fish n QT I assume. So the nitrates can be a little higher and any phosphate as well.

 

[NL146]

...
If you plan on using this as a Hospital tank if you get a sick fish then it is not a good idea IMO. If you get a sick fish in your DT and move it to this system, I would think that you would want fresh clean SW to rehabilitate this fish...

+1. You could end up transferring parasites from the DT to the QT. Other than that it sounds like an interesting idea.