QT setup and regimen for SPS

[mcliffy2]

Tried posting this in the SPS forum, but am not getting much response, so I figured I'd try here.

I want to do QT right in my new tank. I have found plenty of articles about QTing fish, but not many on SPS. I'm figuring Id use the same setup for fish and SPS, so the tank will probably be a 30g or 40g breeder. For flowing I'm thinking a couple Tunze nanostreams. Just plan to use a basic sponge filter (since no fish will be in with corals figure this should be ok).

So the main questions are (1)lighting, (2) length of QT period, and (3) meds.

(1) In the reefkeeping article on QT it suggested just using PC lighting for QT. Can you get away with this for SPS? Obviously they wont grow much, but with proper flow will this harm them. I figure we start corals in lower to acclimate them anyway. I have an old top to a nanocube, so Im wondering if I can get away with using this.

(2) How long do you keep stuff in QT. Obviously, you need to wait for any red bugs, AEFW, or monti nudi eggs to hatch - how long is this?

(3) Do you use meds always or only if you notice a coral is infected (i.e. observe it for a couple weeks)? If always, what do you do - interceptor, FW exit, Tropic Marin coral dip? If more than one do you do them at the same time or consecutively?

Thanks in advance. I know there are a lot of questions, but hopefully it will help others out too.

 

[mflamb]

I have a 50 QT that I use for fish and corals. For SPS, I use my dual bio-wheel without the bio-wheels. That's where I put carbon when necessary. I have a skimmer and two MJ1200 powerheads for circulation. I use an IceCap 250 MH ballast, a DIY reflector with a Aquaconnect 14K bulb for lighting. It's the same lighting that is on the tank. I dip in TMPCC, FWE, and Revive before placing corals in the QT. When the QT is full, or I have all I want for now, I do two interceptor treatments about a week apart. Each treatment is followed by a 50% water change and carbon. I change 5 gallons every other day after that. The water that goes into the QT comes from the 390 display. I regularly inspect the corals with a magnifying glass to make sure all is well. After about 4 weeks, they all go into the display.