Sick fish?

So, I was at a Petco in my area that has a pretty good reputation for taking care of their fish. But, today I was in there looking at a couple of 2.5in blue green chromis, and they looked really good, but some of the other fish in the same tank that looked like they were gasping for air. Should I just skip on the chromis and go look elsewhere?

 

I would, but with that said I have seen the same thing in fish stores. Common sense indicates that you should not buy a fish from a tank possibly containing sick fish regardless of the store name.

 

I guess I figured that that would be the answer lol.

I would like to set up a QT tank, my DT is a 55g so would a 10g work as a QT tank? And if so what so of filtration should I use?

 

If you can go bigger do. Much easier to control water quality and you have more room for medium sized fish. I have used HOB filters in the past without the carbon component. I have seen some people just use those old bubble FW filters.

Nice little link here:
How to Quarantine Marine Fish — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog
And another favorite of mine:
A Fish Quarantine Process - Step by Step

Renee and Greg from LionfishLair do quite a bit of QT'ing and have good tips as well.

Kudos to you for QT'ing though.

 

Thank you Corailline, you've always been so helpful anytime I have had questions!

 

You're welcome.

 

I use a 10 gallon for a QT/HT. I use a Penquin 330 HOB (used to use it on my 55 when it was freshwater) and a Coralife Super Skimmer 65 (that doesn't skim at all, but adds a little water volume and oxygen to the tank). I keep a sponge in my DT that I move over to the 10 (driven by an air pump). This instantly adds biological filtration. Then just a Hydor Pico powerhead for some extra flow (although not necessary).

 

I have a penguin 350 that I used to use on my 55g when it was freshwater also, and petco sells all their tanks for $1 per gallon so I could get a 20g for $20. So if that's all I need, then setting up a QT should be too bad.

So, if I am going to use a HOB filter with no carbon, then what do I put in it, or is it only to circulate the water?

 

I use the filter pads made for the filter that include carbon. I only take them out when dosing copper.