6 g tank-for quantine and planted?

[anniecox]

Hey all,
was hoping for some feedback. I purchased a Marineland Eclipse 6 gal system, has Marineland bio wheel filter, for using as a quarantine/new members tank. I introduced ich into my 45g and lost most my fish, so wanting to avoid that. I have two questions:

-had differing opinions about whether I should start new fish initially in a quarantine tank. Was planning on having it as an established tank. But it was suggested that two moves are hard on fish. Which I agree, but I would rather not introduce problems with new fish again. Especially since they would be going into my 45g planted tank. Thoughts. Opinions?

-what do you think of making the 6 gal. also a low tech planted tank. It has an 8 watt T5 bulb. I know that is miniscule wpg. But could I do low light plants. Would it be worth it. I also plan to use it for a quarantine tank so I realize when I had to medicate I would be jeopardizing the plants but that would be ok. I would not spend much moulah on plants. Thoughts? Opinons?

 

[phanmc]

Quarantine tanks are a very good idea. Spooking fishes for awhile is better than killing off your existing stock. If the water quality between the two tanks are similar there won't be much stress to the fishes.

8w is not much light at all, You might be able to grow java ferns, anubias, and mosses but they may just hang around and not do much.

My quarantine tank is heavily planted. Some medication have had negative effects on plants but they usually bounce back after the medication stopped, same thing with temporary heat and salt treatments.

 

[mellowvision]

I think you can pull it off.

 

[anniecox]

Question: should I pick up some eco complete or comparable for the 6 gal. to help the plants or any other substrate suggestions?

Thanks for the responses. You kinda confirmed what I was thinking. I picked up some tetras today. Took water from 45g tank to fill the 6g. Am in the process of gradually acclimating the tetras now to the water from the 6g (and 45 g) not by dripping but adding some every 10 min to a container they are in. Right now there is no gravel in it but will do that another day after they are less stressed. I am planning on keeping them in the 6g for two weeks or so.