Hospital /Isolation tank

[fncracing]

I have set up a 10 gallon hospital isolation tank after having a major issue with main tank. I want it to be a tank to introduce new livestock into before the main DP. My question is do i set it up at same parameters as DP or is there another set of parameters to use such as hypersalinity and on. Also what meds or chemicals would you recommend dosing the hospital tank with to eliminate anything from being introduced to the DP.
Thank you for any input

 

[fncracing]

Forgot to mention I have a 15 gal HOB filter as well as a 75 gallon rated canister filter on the tank with stock lighting just the fluorescent 18in canopy light

 

[cr500_af]

Hypo is not necessary IMO... some organisms are sensititve to it (ich, for example) but it doesn't totally eradicate it. I would run the same SG as your display.

Others may disagree, but I'd personally put nothing medication-wise unless it was indicated by a symptom. The only possible exception would be an anti-parasitic (like PraziPro) as a precaution against intestinal parasites, but I'd have to do some homework first.

 

[skriz]

I would highly advise you set this up as a QT tank, not a hospital tank. You want it to have the exact paramaters as your DT (easily done by taking wc water from the DT and using that as the QT water). Have sand, LR, etc. Make the tank as natural as possible to make it as comfortable as possible.

When introducing a fish, black-out the tank to reduce stress. Give it a day in darkness, then remove it and allow ambient light only. Don't wear "loud' shirts when around the qt, as that will only scare the fish. Keep the tank clean and keep the fish fed well. Praipro is completely safe to use in a qt. I wouldn't use any other meds in the QT. You can use dips if you need.

hth

 

[fncracing]

I do have live rock in the tank as well as about 1 inch sandbed

 

[carpenter981]

Skriz;598630 wrote: I would highly advise you set this up as a QT tank, not a hospital tank. You want it to have the exact paramaters as your DT (easily done by taking wc water from the DT and using that as the QT water). Have sand, LR, etc. Make the tank as natural as possible to make it as comfortable as possible.

When introducing a fish, black-out the tank to reduce stress. Give it a day in darkness, then remove it and allow ambient light only. Don't wear "loud' shirts when around the qt, as that will only scare the fish. Keep the tank clean and keep the fish fed well. Praipro is completely safe to use in a qt. I wouldn't use any other meds in the QT. You can use dips if you need.

hth

Ive read in a couple places that putting sand and live rock in a QT isnt that great of an idea. If a fish gets a disease it may contaminate the sand/rock which will make it harder to "clean" afterwards...

What do yall think?

 

[skriz]

carpenter981;598649 wrote: Ive read in a couple places that putting sand and live rock in a QT isnt that great of an idea. If a fish gets a disease it may contaminate the sand/rock which will make it harder to "clean" afterwards...

What do yall think?

Those sources are wrong. You can remove the sand and completely sterilize the tank.

Also, without a host, there's not much that will live in a fallow tank.

The goal of a QT tank is to monitor the fish, train it to eat and get it accustomed to a new life.

 

[thbrewst]

Since we are on the subject...

1) Does it have to be a tank or can it be like a large plastic bin?

2) Does it need to stay set-up all the time or is it OK to take it down when not needed to QT'ing anything?

 

[skriz]

thbrewst;598752 wrote: Since we are on the subject...

1) Does it have to be a tank or can it be like a large plastic bin?

2) Does it need to stay set-up all the time or is it OK to take it down when not needed to QT'ing anything?

1. Tank so you can see the fish. The purpose of a QT is to monitor the fish closely. If you can't clearly see it, you've defeated the purpose.

2. It can be taken down when not in use. BUT, if you're using a HOB or similar in the QT, it would be prudent to keep some floss or a filter in the DT/sump that you can transfer into the qt when you need to set it up (biological).

 

[fncracing]

I plan on keeping this setup all the time as the local reef club tries to do group buys like snails and crabs and things and i usually end up getting it since i am home all the time I usually pay the extra to get a little better deal for the club. as a result i am storing a few hundred snails or crabs and other club members pick them up from me that were not in on the initial purchase. I even have a local store that sends people my way when they know i have extras since i can beat there prices. I try not to compete but they usually dont carry many snails or crabs.