bacteria: where they live, vacuuming, quarantine tank

[gnahc79]

Did the search and google and got some info. Some ?s and verification for this noob, plz :):

1) The nitrifying bacteria resides in the filter media (sponges in my AC200), on the gravel, and on my rocks/plastic plants, etc. It's ok to use my gravel vacuum to rustle up all the crud in the gravel. It does not harm/remove the bacteria. I recently turned off my UGF after running my AC200 for a week. Yes/No?

2) To establish an always active quarantine tank I need to transfer a sponge from my main tank to the q-tank and cycle accordingly. I'm thinking of getting a 10gal q-tank. Would keeping 2 danios or similar fish keep the bacteria fed?

[Aquarius0015]

1) Yes this is correct/fine.

2) I just wouldn't remove the sponge until I needed to quarantine something. If you want to maintain the q-tank on a permanent basis though, you could skip the fish entirely and just add ammonia to the water to feed the bacteria when it is not being used. No sense in buying fish you don't really want or need IMO.

2 Danios is probably too little to maintain the amount of bacteria necessary. Plus, if you put a sick fish in the q-tank, you need to find a home for the danios (which can often be nippy).

[Hound]

Running an UGF is more a personal choice than a topic for open debate. Too many people feel strongly for either arguement.

As for the quarantine tank I'd say keep a sponge in your main tank and move it to the quarantine as needed. Then when no longer needed in the quarantine clean it off and place back in your main tank.

[Leopardess]

Yup. I'd only move the filter over when needed OR keep the qtine tank fed with ammonia to have it there the instant you may need it.

However, after having used the filter from the main tank in a qtank (and perhaps depending on what disease you were treating), I'd be tempted to toss it and get a new cartridge to avoid the possibility of spreading anything back to the main tank.