Question about hospital tanks

[Big_Boss_77]

Well, the time comes in every young reefers life when they or their partners catch something a little unseemly. When that time comes and antibiotics are in order, the hospital tank awaits! My question is, since I have to set up a hospital tank, can I leave it running? Or do I have to reestablish it every time?

 

[pyithar]

some people keep it running all the time, some don't. i'm with one of those who don't. keep a new filter pad in the sump. when you're in need of a hospital tank, use that filter pad in hospital tank filter, add some water from the system and add new water. that's it.

 

[Big_Boss_77]

Okay, I like the sound of that. Quick and easy, always prepped and a 10 gallon water change away! Any other opinions, or is this the common consensus?

 

[rocsec1]

I leave my running in the basement. I find that easier.

 

[gone fishin]

I set mine up when needed, otherwise it stays in the closet.

 

[Dmorty217]

Well, the time comes in every young reefers life when they or their partners catch something a little unseemly. When that time comes and antibiotics are in order, the hospital tank awaits! My question is, since I have to set up a hospital tank, can I leave it running? Or do I have to reestablish it every time?

If your going to use antibiotics in a tank I wouldn't leave it up and running all the time. Antibiotics will kill off the biological filtration, so leaving it up and running doesn't serve much of a purpose. I would suggest using a 10g or 20g tank with a powerhead and heater. Monitor ammonia levels with a ammonia alert badge and do a water change every 2-3 days or when ammonia starts to read

 

[Big_Boss_77]

Well, my clown went into the hospital tank this evening. The set up seems to be sustaining her for now. Always a little daunting seeing a fish somewhere other than the DT but I guess I'll have to get used to it til the medicine or nature runs its course! Thanks for the valuable info!
EDIT: Not sure what an ammonia alert badge is, but I plan on testing the water for ammonia twice daily, will the antibiotics sabotage the results in any way?

 

[shesacharmer]

An ammonia badge is a tag that hangs in your tank. It has a disc in the center that changes color in the presence of ammonia. If it changes color you do a water change and it changes back to normal in a couple of hours. Very cheap and easy tool to use. I highly recommend it.

 

[Big_Boss_77]

Cool, I don't have the ability to get one right now, with it being labor day weekend and all... my ammonia is sitting at .25, how much of a water change do I need to perform?

 

[oakengineer]

Might want to add prime to detox the ammonium.

 

[Big_Boss_77]

I did a 50% water change last night and that dropped it to more or less zero, I plan on doing one tomorrow as well. Is prime something sold at most lfs or something I have to order special?