How to set up an emergency hospital tank

[sknoch78]

I am looking for info on how to set up a hospital tank. In the past I have always used crushed coral as the substrate, seeded with a scoop out of the main tank along with a small piece of live rock out of the tank. I have recently read several threads stating that this is not the best way to go. I need to set up BB tank quickly and I am looking for advice on how to do so.

Thanks,
Shawn

[Tasher80]

All I have in my QT tank or Hospital tank is a 10 gallon aquarium, a Whispermini HOB filter. and heater. I put a piece of PVC for the fish to hide in. To keep my water quality up I just do a 1 gallon water change daily. Some people keep media in their regular tank and put it into the filter when they need to but i don't do that. I just keep it simple. If you take fish out of your display do a 10 gallon water change and use the old water to put into the qt tank that way your fish can go directly into the qt without having to acclimate. Move the fish before you add the new water to the display tank.

[Tasher80]

One more thing. The reason I don't put LR or any media is that if you medicate with copper or some medications then that LR or media can NEVER go back into the display it will be ruined forever. One thing to keep in mind. Don't do sand on the bottom. BB is easier to siphon out any crap.

[sknoch78]

I just wanted to say thanks for your help.

Shawn

[drw94]

Just make sure the water parameters are the same in the QT as not to stress the patient anymore!

[wanareef]

As T80 mentioned - exactly what I would do, save the water from a WC to startt he QT up with. Just plain BB with some PVC pieces for the fish to hide in.

[pmh]

Oh yeah, don't forget the little ambulances, operating tables, etc. It's hard to run a hospital with out that kinda stuff!


pmh

[Melissa]

I did exactly as Tasher did. Some people also like to paint the sides and the back glass to make the fish feel more secure and minimize any distraction from outside the tank. I think it's better for overall stress on the fish. Not totally necessary but just an idea...

[Tasher80]

What I did one time was cut up a brown paper bag and tape it to the sides and back and front. I didn't want anything permanent so thats the way I decided to go with. Anyway is fine though.