30 gal QT....to add PS or not add PS?

[born2chill]

I set up a 30 [acronym:23753bb931="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:23753bb931] [acronym:23753bb931="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:23753bb931] after an ich outbreak claimed a yellow longnose and a PBT. So I set up a [acronym:23753bb931="quarantine or quart depending on context"]qt[/acronym:23753bb931] as follows: penguin 200 [acronym:23753bb931="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:23753bb931] filter, 150 watt heater, maxi jet 600 [acronym:23753bb931="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]ph[/acronym:23753bb931], bare-bottom, and 2 decorative rocks. I am wondering if I should get a small PS like a bakpak2r for this [acronym:23753bb931="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:23753bb931] tank to keep water quality in check. Of course I would stop skimming if I added meds to the tank, but is a skimmer recommended in a [acronym:23753bb931="quarantine or quart depending on context"]qt[/acronym:23753bb931] setup?

Depends on tee treatments used in any. ALthough some forms of copper are okay to use with a skimmer, unless you plan on it being a [acronym:2f74a9d5f5="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:2f74a9d5f5] only piece of equipment, remove it completely before using copper. It will definately help with the aggravation of water quality. If you have it to use, then it's a definate plus but it's not necessary to buy one just for that purpose.

The rock however is not a good idea.

Cheers
Steve

[born2chill]

So I guess its a good idea to get the skimmer to keep water quality good in the [acronym:15dfe96b2e="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:15dfe96b2e] then? I'm thinking about keeping it as a [acronym:15dfe96b2e="Fish only"]FO[/acronym:15dfe96b2e] tank when my main gets stocked so the skimmer would come in handy then. I would just keep a pair of clowns and maybe a dwarf angel there. Is the rock not good because of copper leaching into it? Is there any danger posed to livestock from copper seeping into the rock? Should I purchase some type of plastic rock structure for when I medicate? I'm not really thrilled about the look of only [acronym:15dfe96b2e="Plastic pipe"]pvc[/acronym:15dfe96b2e] in the tank, so what type of decorations are recommended for a [acronym:15dfe96b2e="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:15dfe96b2e]?

Originally Posted by born2chill

So I guess its a good idea to get the skimmer to keep water quality good in the [acronym:f350ca5599="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:f350ca5599] then?

The short answer is yes but you've already read the long winded one above.

Is the rock not good because of copper leaching into it? Is there any danger posed to livestock from copper seeping into the rock?

There are many reasons to avoid this. The rock will sorb any med making it difficult to maintain a treatment level. Copper can and will be released at a later time so it depends on if it's a [acronym:f350ca5599="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:f350ca5599] only addition. Even then, the copper will destroy any life living within it and possibley the bacteria if using an ionic form of copper. If the rock is removed before a treatment, you also possibley remove a great % of the biofiltration along with it. The rock would also need to be [acronym:f350ca5599="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:f350ca5599]'d to prevent spreading problems to healthy tanks if removed from the [acronym:f350ca5599="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:f350ca5599] before a treatment. There are a few more but I think you get the idea.

Should I purchase some type of plastic rock structure for when I medicate? I'm not really thrilled about the look of only [acronym:f350ca5599="Plastic pipe"]pvc[/acronym:f350ca5599] in the tank, so what type of decorations are recommended for a [acronym:f350ca5599="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:f350ca5599]?

Anything inert is your best bet. Nothing [acronym:f350ca5599="Calcium carbonate"]CaCO3[/acronym:f350ca5599] based or something that cannot be easily disposed of or replaced.

Cheers
Steve