help! parasites on the loose!

Question
I have a 2 months running 55gal with 40lbs. live rock, 60lbs. argonite live sand, a Eheim 2028 canister,  a Prizm Pro Skimmer, Nova t-5 HO 8x54 Watt w/4 lunars. pH-8.4, Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, and Phosphate all 0. S.G. @ 1.023 and temp @78F.  I plan to add some softies when I gain some more experience.

My tank finished cycling around week four. Week five I added a false perc. Week six I added 2 PJ cardinals. I never QT'd them beause LFS sid it was not necessary. Well, week 7 one of the clown's pelvic fins was retracted and looked like it was rotting away! LFS said he'd be fine. There was nothing to worry about. I took it upon myself to give him a freshwater dip. Thinking back that was probrably counterproductive since I basically fed him back to the parasites.  I added a cleaner shrimp as per some FAQ's I read on the site.  The clown kept "running" from him. Last night he stopped eating and was swiming so erradically he was smashing into the rocks.  This morning he was lying on the bottom breathing heavily and wiggling.  I took him out and he passed on before I could even end his suffering. :-(.  I brought him to the LFS and it was determined it was a horrible case of parasites.

This is what I am planning to do. Please tell me if I am crazy or if I am on the right track. I have a small 5 gallon acrylc bowfront that I would like to put the PJ's in for a few weeks to rid the main tank of parasites. (I know it is small but I really don't plan on keeping large fish and can't fit anything larger in my apartment.)  I already filled the tank water from the main tank. I want to let the tank sit over night and tomorrow pick up some PVC and an airstone. (The tank has a small submersible tetra whisper micro filter but I m not sure If that's okay for SW). Is it more sensible to use a sponge filter? How long does it have to sit in my tank to accumulate beneficial bacteria? What product do you reccommend for treating the parasites?  Does the cleaner shrimp have to be moved as well? I'm pretty sure they are sensitve to most medications. Will the parasites make the cleaner their new host? Is 2 weeks enough time to allow the tank be rid of parasites? Will 2 weeks be enough for the PJ's to be rid of parasites? Can they be safely placed in the main tank after being treated even though I plan to add some corals in the near future?

Please advise. I don't want to hurt anymore of these little creatures! Afterall, I did start this hobby to admire their beauty.

Thank bunches,
Jessica  

Answer
Hi Jessica
What did Your LFS recommend as far as treatment? I would find something to treat with that is invert safe, (no copper) Here is the thing there are always parasites present in your aquarium, and will attack a stressed or weak fish. Did any of the other fish show some of the same signs? You will experience some loss over time, pretty much unavoidable, at least in my 13 yrs experience.