Quarantine Tank Questions

[kristin]

So I finally got smart and bought all the stuff to set up a QT tank. Unfortunately, there is a possibility one of my neon gobies has ich

My QT tank is a 20 gallon, and I'd like to move the fish into it ASAP. I was advised to try hyposalinity first. I'm confused about a couple of things.
Can I use water from my main tank to fill my QT? Is there an advantage to that other than not having to acclimate the fish to the QT?
Does it need to cycle? I've read it's ok to add some sand from your main tank, in a nylon stocking. Does doing this, or adding a piece of LR provide enough bacteria? I've had the filter from the QT soaking in my sump for 2 days. Long enough?
Once I'm done with the QT, can I put the LR back into my main tank (so long as no meds were used)?
Do I have to keep my QT up and running all the time?
Lastly, how do I catch the fish? He seems healthy, and has avoided every attempt I've made to net him.
Thanks.

 

[earlybird]

Don't hypo with LR there will be die off. No real benefit to using DT water to fill the QT but you might as well so you can get a water change while you're at it. It will need to cycle and IMO 2 days is not long enough for that filter but it's better than nothing. Just make sure you have extra water change water ready and keep an eye on ammonia, nitrates, and pH (which tends to drop during hypo so get some buffer). You MUST have a refractometer to properly perform hypo.
It's good to keep the QT going but as long as you have an aged filter/foam in your DT or sump you can set one up in no time really just be prepared for large and or frequent water changes.
Good luck