Need Info - ER Tank

[joyski58]

I have a few questions for you "experts".

I have an extra 10 gal tank that I want to set up as a new hospital tank. I have read that a hospital tank should have a bare bottom; have nothing to absorb any mediations that one might use on a sick fish. Does this tank need to cycle? Or is expected that if one is treating a fish, many water changes are involved which would keep the water quality up. Is the beneficial bacteria only in the filter?

My current 10 gal ER tank has gravel bottom and a few rocks, and has been up and running for years. I want to make this a frag tank. I know I need to up the water circulation. Do I need a protein skimmer if there are no fish producing waste? What is the best light I can use for this purpose. There is currently a 18" florescent tube light (that needs to be changed) built into the tank hood. Is an external filter enough for this purpose?

JKJ

 

[jmccown]

I just set up an emergency tank last week, here's what I done. Took a bare bottom 55g tank and siphoned out of my main display tank, I moved all my fish to the ER 55 tank. So that may not be applicable to your situation. I just added new water back to my main display, so it was like a big water change. I do not use a skimmer, but have two foam filters hooked up to air pumps as well as a HOB filter with NO carbon. Carbon will absorb all of the medication you add to ER tank. I also hooked up a small powerhead so that the water isn't dead. It also makes the fish more active. Just a plain old single tube fluorescent light is all I use. This scenario would be different if one were treating corals. This is fish only.

 

[essop3]

Did you use copper in the QT? Some say it will get into the silicone. I'd use the new tank for frags and leave the old one.

You can get small protien skimmers. I think Barry has them for $30 or so. I don't think you'd need one, but it couldn't hurt.

 

[joyski58]

EXCELLENT POINT! I didn't think of that. Copper was used in it, but it's been a couple of years ago. Same gravel in the bottom though. Wouldn't want to chance it. JKJ