Help: Quarantine tanks?

jrawebb83

jrawebb83

AC Members
Jul 5, 2009
251
0
16
Florida
Hi everyone. I was just wondering about quarantining new fish or sick fish. Should the tank be an established cycled tank? If that is the case that means I would have to have an empty tank up and running in advance to any new fish, and for that matter all the time since I can't exactly predict when/if existing fish will get sick.

Can any one provide me with some details about quarantine tanks? I did a brief search in the forums but the search tool is very broad sometimes. Thank you in advance.
 
Yes, a quarantine tank needs to be cycled. It should be up all the time, because you never know when you will get a new addition.

A quarantine tank can be as simple as a tub, with a filter, hiding spots, and a heater. It is just something to monitor fish for no more than 4 weeks (less is usually the most common, but it varies). Common size is 10-20+ gallons, depending on your main tank's size.
 
I hear you can keep a cycled filter (like a sponge filter) in one of your existing tanks and then just transfer it to the quarantine tank as needed.
 
It depends on what you are using it for.
Some meds will kill the beneficial bacteria.So having a cycled tank is pointless.
If it is for QT new fish,you will need a cycled filter.You can run an extra small filter on a tank,and when you need to set up your QT tank, put it on there.Instant cycled tank. Small HOB's work good for this.

Not all meds will kill the BB.So having a extra cycled filter if you do not want your QT up and running all the time is a good idea.
 
Jspigs said:
I hear you can keep a cycled filter (like a sponge filter) in one of your existing tanks and then just transfer it to the quarantine tank as needed.
Click to expand...

Yep. Lots of people keep an extra HOB on an existing tank for this purpose. Most people keep QT tanks bare bottom (for easy cleaning and monitoring) and modestly decorated. If you have the filter ready, you can put up the tank, toss in a couple caves or whatever, add the filter and you're good to go. Don't forget to treat the water... :thm:
 
I never keep a QT tank "up" all the time..no need to at all. Set one up when you need it...bring media over from other tanks if you have it...do water changes as necessary.
 
Thanks everyone. To me it made more sense to set up as needed, but I had no idea. It makes a lot of sense to have the extra filter going though. Good tip!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom