20 gallon qt tank

[mikem691]

Im picking up a 20 gallon with top, aqua clear 70 hob and heater.
Im going to use this as a qt/sick tank and was planing on running the hob on my main tank to keep it ready for when i need the qt tank
My plan was to use 20gallons of tank water from the main tank to fill and move the filter and install the heater just before i go out and buy new fish.
a few questions
1Is there anything else i should be concerned about
2 is bare bottom ok?
3 how long is long enough to qt new fish.
4 how long will it take to condition the new filter on my 75 gallon
Thanks in advance.

 

[Laser]

Yes, bare bottom is actually preferable because if the tank needs to be cleaned it will be a snap.

I'd say the minimum is 2 weeks or else you may as well not even do it. Some people say it takes 4 weeks before all possible symptoms manifest themselves.

I would actually use a dedicated sponge filter for the qt tank. If the fish is sick the filter may cause too much current for the fish which will cause additional stress.