How to set up a quarantine tank

Question
Hi Bill,
I need some advise in setting up a saltwater quarantine tank.  I've ordered a small clown triggerfish that I will be picking up November 14th (my Birthday present) and I'm trying to decide what tank to put him in. My main tank currently has a small Humu humu triggerfish and two small domino damsels. That is the tank that I want to put my clown trigger in. My quarantine tank currently has a small porcupine puffer in it that I've had for about 5 weeks but I think it's showing signs if ich so I'm starting treatment on him and so he's not ready to go into the main tank. I know that it is very important to use a quarantine tank. I do have an extra 10 gallon tank that had freshwater fish in but I drained a couple weeks ago. Can I use this tank as it has all of the equipment that I would need? How do I set it up? Do I start with the bare tank and add a little sand from my main tank? Can I put a couple decorations in so the trigger has a place to hide? I'm getting ready to do a water change on my main tank so I can use that to fill my 10 gallon. What about the filter? Should I run on my main tank for the next 10 days till I'm ready to pick my trigger then move to the QT tank? How often should I do water changes in the QT tank after I add the trigger?

Thanks
Tammy

Answer
Hello Tammy,

There is a difference between Quarantine tanks and Hospital tanks, QT/HT  You should not use medicines in a QT.  QT is desitned, intended to be used pretty much as you are using it.. a staging area to make sure you do not import unwanted deseases into your main tank...  Once you have noticed issues, you can use the QT tank as a HT but, you should be careful about what medines you use.  some chemicals will leach into the glass and silicone and the components you use for filtration.. Copper is a big issue for reef tanks...

As for how to setup a new tank, if it is a hospital tank, i wouldnt put any ornaments or sand or rock into the tank...  A simple sponge or HOT filter will do... but obviously you will need to do more maintenance more often, i.e. water changes...At least weekly...

A QT is supposed to be setup similarly, but some folks do put in some rock or ornaments to let hte fish rest/hide as wanted/needed...

I would use the water from your display tank to put into the new tanks.....If you have a hang on filter, then maybe run it on the display for a while, (As long as you can), to help seed it with whatever biological stuff you can...

You can get those suction type of ammonia guages and keep an eye on the ammonia levels.  but other then that, it really isnt that hard or difficult...  but as you are experiencing now, the process of QT truly means you can only bring in one fish every couple months...unless you have multiple QT tanks...

good luck, and maybe you can follow up at my new forum at www.thelittleocean.com   we have a few other members that are into the lionfish and other agressive species, (more then me)


hope to see you there.

bill