New to quarantining

[Lyscer]

Thanks to someone on the board I decided that my chromis has a bacterial infection passed it onto another chromis and then died. I'm afraid that it may get passed to my other chromis which are the only inhabitants of the tank. I would like to learn how to setup a quarantine tank to get things figured out with these less expensive fish so I have the experience for when I have a more expensive fish. What method(s) do you use? I read about passive and aggressive quarantining. What do you recommend?

Also what will I need to purchase in order to get this up ASAP. If anyone has any links on a good way to set one up it would be appreciated.

Here is what I have for a quarantine tank:
10 Gal AGA
Aquaclear 30 power filter (30gal/hr)
50 watt heater
For lighting I have no idea what the bulb is, it is one of the cheap ones you can buy in the fish section at walmart. If it would be better I have a clamp on light with a 75 Watt plant grow light I could put on the tank.

 

[jenghes]

It sounds like what you have is fine. If QT fish any light is OK because fish do not rely on light to live.

Steven Pro has some good articles on QT

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-10/sp/feature/index.php

 

[Lyscer]

One question is with the aquaclear 30 that I have I beleive they are refered to as a 3 part filter. i will put all new filters in it (because it is from a previous FW setup). How long should I let it run on my salt water tank before using it in the quarantine tank? Which filter media should I keep/remove? Sponge, Activated Carbon, and there is also some white stuff I think is called biomax. Should I use all of them or only some? I know most medications recommend you remove the AC so this is why I'm asking.

 

[Lyscer]

Does anyone know?

 

[SaltyMember]

I use an Aquaclear filter for my quarantine tank also. I just use two sponges during quarantine and only use carbon if I am removing medications from the tank. I prefer to use sponges because I let them sit in my sump and become loaded with beneficial bacteria. When I am ready to set up the qt tank I have an active biofilter ready to go.

 

[Lyscer]

sweet. so you just stack the two sponges on top of each other? and when you're done with them in the quarantine tank you just dispose of them and buy new ones to place in your sump?

 

[SaltyMember]

Exactly.