Using rock in QT

[Claus84]

Hi all, so I know it's generally not a good idea to use live rock in a QT as it may absorb meds / have a biofilm which may break them down but what about dense, non porous dry rock such as 'ocean rock'?

Also what about a shallow sprinkling of sand to cut down on reflections, any issues with this?

I've had some fish just freak out in a bare glass QT with only pipes for cover so want to make my QT as stress free as possible whilst still remaining effective. I'll be using CP.

Cheers

Nick

 

[Big G]

Hi Nick! Consider painting your QT bottom, ends and back wall with blue or black paint. Works pretty good. It ends up being like a kinda "cave" for the fish. And then I found on Amazon a couple of large fake ocean sea fans make of plastic. Easy to clean. And the fish seem to like it.

 

[Humblefish]

Sand is less of an issue with absorption than rock; but I am unfamiliar with "ocean rock".

 

[Claus84]

Thanks for the responses

Those fans look like a good call, I think I'll paint the back and sides as you suggest, I usually use a cut to size background from the LFS but they are so shiny the fish often end up chasing their reflections. I guess Matt paint would be ideal?

'ocean rock' is commonly sold over here in the UK for tropical tanks, I think cichlids mostly, will try and find a link

 

[Claus84]

It's this type or rock, quite dense and a lot smoother than LR

 

[Big G]

I guess Matt paint would be ideal

This is the brand I use. It is oil based and is semi-gloss. If you do use a latex based paint, make sure it doesn't have any mildewcides, etc. that could hurt your fish, inverts, corals. So it takes a few days to dry outside during warm weather. Usually takes about 3 coats to get a real nice smooth finish. The advantage is that the oil based is a bit smoother and cleans up easier when cleaning and sterilizing the tank between uses. Hope this helps a bit :)

 

[Fastpitch]

Probably off topic a little but, I put three fist sized chunks of lava rock (pumice I think) in my QT, before I knew any better. But it is interesting to note that I never saw any noticeable absorption that you often hear about. I have now ramped up cupramine pretty steadily through three different batches of QT. If there is absorption it does not interfere or inconvenience my QT in any significant way.

Of course it is not possible to test for other meds besides copper, so who knows what is happening with that.

 

[Claus84]

This is the brand I use. It is oil based and is semi-gloss. If you do use a latex based paint, make sure it doesn't have any mildewcides, etc. that could hurt your fish, inverts, corals. So it takes a few days to dry outside during warm weather. Usually takes about 3 coats to get a real nice smooth finish. The advantage is that the oil based is a bit smoother and cleans up easier when cleaning and sterilizing the tank between uses. Hope this helps a bit :)

Great stuff, thanks. That's another job for me this weekend :)

 

[Big G]

Probably off topic a little but, I put three fist sized chunks of lava rock (pumice I think) in my QT, before I knew any better. But it is interesting to note that I never saw any noticeable absorption that you often hear about. I have now ramped up cupramine pretty steadily through three different batches of QT. If there is absorption it does not interfere or inconvenience my QT in any significant way.

Of course it is not possible to test for other meds besides copper, so who knows what is happening with that.

Pumice is glass. It won't absorb the chemicals in the water. Carbonate rocks/corals will react with chemicals and absorb them from the water. Fluval's BioMax is a glass like product I use in my HOB when seeding for bacteria. The bacteria grows on the surface but does not absorb copper or meds from the QT's water. I like it a lot.

 

[Fastpitch]

Pumice is glass. It won't absorb the chemicals in the water. Carbonate rocks/corals will react with chemicals and absorb them from the water. Fluval's BioMax is a glass like product I use in my HOB when seeding for bacteria. The bacteria grows on the surface but does not absorb copper or meds from the QT's water. I like it a lot.

ahhhh. makes sense.

 

[Big G]

Can't tell you how much I appreciate the effectiveness of Fluval's BioMax. Have several healthy fish in my DT because of using this bio media in my QT. Recently saved a Foxface that was in a tank full of Chromis with Uronema. Using BioMax in my HOB, the fish is now happy and healthy in my DT. I keep a mesh bag with BioMax in my DT's sump building bio material at all times in case of need.