hospital/qt tank

[dive1]

I am going to change out my 240reef because of damage to glass and while it is down I want to qt my fish for a month for hypo. I also want to use this tank to qt any new fish. Right now I have very few fish, 2 tangs, 2 clowns, 2 damsels, lunar wrass. What size tank do most use for hospital. I might keep it up as fish only. I have my eyes on a 55gal with skimmer , sump, lights, stand, sand, ect for $550 but do not know if I want to have two tanks all the time. Might want to just set up hospital when needed. What do most of you do? I could just pick up a rubbermaid tub with a pump for a month. Fish right now are not real big but will in future

 

[timsedwards]

HI there,
Thats a good idea, whilst re-constructing that tank, QT the others.
Well I would recommend anywhere between a 30-50g for you, that should suffice. Im not sure but I dont think there is any need for fuge/skimmer and you do not want a substrate in there. Leave the bottom bare, putting a substrate in there only leaves a nice retreat for the parasites you are trying to kill. A skimmer is helpful i guess but only if fish re going to be in there real long term, i dont think there is any particular need for it. Certainly no need for a fuge, unless you really want to get one
Rmb: No LR and no LS, you will only kill it during hypo. Get some nice dead rock which can be used as hiding places for the fish.
All the best,
Tim.
ps. beautiful tank btw!

 

[beth]

A 55 is ideal, but as far as the equiptment that you list, it needs to be toned down. A hospital tank may need to be medicated, so sand beds, fuge, etc., just doesn't apply here. Take a look at the FAQ section at the top of this forum.

 

[dive1]

If the hypo kills the ich ect How will the sand beed hurt..will the same water be there also...The reason I ask is that while I am not treating I will use this for a fish only tank as well. I intend to tear down and but everything back up in a 12hr period except keep the fish out to this qt tank then keep it as fish only so would like some sand in the bottom ect... if it would not prevent the treatment. Then use it for fish only and for some fish that I could not keep in reef....and from time to time when I purchase more fish at them there till ready for reef. That is why looking at skimmer ect...also it is a package deal used. By the time I buy lights ect new for something stripped down would be about the same price as this used...Just want to make sure hypo , ect wks so my reef will be ick free ect. thanks terry

 

[beth]

A QT really needs to be deadicated to quarantine and hospital tank. YOU MAY NEED TO MEDICATE A SICK FISH, which would be a bad idea in a display tank.