Questions about my first QT

[stanleo]

I set up my first quarantine tank yesterday. 20 gallon tall with a Marineland Penguin 350 HOB filter and an Aquatop 100W digital heater set to 79F. The back and sides have been painted black. No substrate and just PVC for hiding places. The filter media are established ceramic cylinders and foam pads from my sump. I didn't use the cartridges that came with the filter. I just dosed it with Dr Tims and I added some ammonia to test if it is ready for fish. The salinity is 35 ppt same as the DT.

I am wondering if I am missing anything? A powerhead perhaps? If that is even needed.

Also, I am unfamiliar with the medications that I should need. Can anyone point me to a good resource for that? Do I need to automatically do medications if new fish are showing no signs or symptoms of disease?

 

[Quietman]

If you're just QT fish, doubt power head is needed. If coral - well, you see where I'm going same with light.

Two philosophies on QT - observe and medicate if necessary and allow them to de-stress, get used to water (I use old tank water), eat up and get 'healthy'. Or dose them with medication to eliminate any possible pathogen (which they may or may not have). One is obviously less stressful on the new fish but runs the risk of getting pathogen in tank if it's non-symptomatic. The other is highly stressful and may have more loss but will protect existing tank better. Probably depends on current investment in tank or in new fish which you prefer to use at any one time.

I use observe so far...no pathogens after several months noted from last addition. Sure I'm lucky, I know it. But I also don't have thousands in livestock yet either. If I did...I'd very likely medicate the heck out of my QT.