Hospital/Quarantine tank?

Squealor

Squealor

AC Members
Jun 30, 2005
137
1
0
50
Boston, MA
How big is a hospital tank usually? After losing a couple fish a few weeks ago, I'm wondering if I should get one... knock on wood, hopefully I won't need it, but it can't hurt, right? Does it need to be set up with everything a normal tank has? I don't have tons of money to spend, but at the same time, I think it might be worth it to have...
 
Depends on what kind of fish you normally keep... If you need to QT a couple of platys or tetras for example, a 10g is what most people seem to keep. However, if you have any large fish in your tank, you might want to get one big enough to not totally stress them should you have to move them. All you really need is a heater and a filter. some fish spook a bit without gravel on the bottom, but usually get over it, and plants (even fake) will help them feel a bit more at ease, but really not necessary. I have a big tank now and dread the idea of having to treat the whole thing, so I think a QT tank is crucial for new additions :)
 
you don't need to have it set up all the time either, just get a filter for it and when you plan to bring home new fish set it up, and take a filter cartridge from your established tank to use in the QT filter. just keep an eye on chem levels and do water changes often. plus the light doesn't have to be that great, stressed or sick fish appreciate low lighting. could throw in a couple of PVC tubing sections as hiding places.
 
There are two ways to quarantine new fish one is a basic bare tank.This is not a long term display
tank its meant to be emptied and cleaned and stored after the quarantine period. It can also do duty
as a hospital tank if and when the need arises. A tank sized to fit the specimen should be used for
this purpose Remember this is for temporary use.
Why don't we qaurantine?Simply because we are in a hurry to show off our new fish.However after
you have done this and wind up with a tank of sick or dying fish you will understand the importance of
quarantining fish.this applies to store bought feeders also.
The Tank 1
This is as simple as it gets Filter, Heater, and some plastic plants or some kind of structure to
hide in simple huh like I said its not long term .4 weeks in most cases should be fine.Its not pretty but
its not supposed to be .
The Tank 2 You setup the tank with substrate,plants, decorations as you would any display tank and
add the new fish and nothing more.Any future purchases for this tank will need to QT in a tank1 setup.
The Hospital Tank Is basicaly a tank 1 setup its use is to isolate and treat sick or damaged fish not
long term use As little decoration as possible is involved and the amount of water should be
measured so the correct amonut of medication is administered contrary to popular belief all tanks
are incorrectly sized and hold somewhat less water than stated.
To get the correct amount of water.
A tank holds measure the inside of the tank and calculate with those numbers.
Gravel displaces 2.4 gallons per 50 pounds. This is useful in calculating the true water capacity of your aquarium
 
it depends if you want big fish or little fish i had a 150 gallon qt tank but i stop buying big fish so i got a little ten gallon fot barbs,tetras,rasboras,sharks
and catfish :sim:
 
Kasakato said:
I like to have some 1/2 my main tank, but as big as possible. With your tank a 20g should do
Click to expand...

I agree, 20g should be coo

Go gravelless if you plan to break the tank down in between fish.

... haha... gravelless sounds like marvelous. "simply gravelless" hmmm... maybe not
 
pitcus said:
it depends if you want big fish or little fish i had a 150 gallon qt tank but i stop buying big fish so i got a little ten gallon fot barbs,tetras,rasboras,sharks
and catfish :sim:
Click to expand...

that is one giant qt tank...how big is your real tank??

EDIT: my bad i just read your sig :joe:
 
Sweet! I got a 10g to start... I only have really small fish right now... Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom