Quarantine tank???

N

Newfishboy

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Mar 26, 2004
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I've never used a quarantine tank before, and touch wood! :idea2: so far i've had no problems, but i've decided to start one.

just a few questions on it :joe:

1) Does size matter i have spare 10g and 15g tanks?
2) Filteration? Lighting?
3) do you keep it running while empty?
4) how do you use them? when brought new fish home, place them in hospital and just keep eye on them, or do you have to treat them just incase?
5) how long in quarantine?

thanks for the help NFB :thm:
 
Depends on the size of the fish you want to treat. With a hospital tank you should always have an established bacterial filter ready to go, but if you use meds that will harm the bacteria ,obviously you will need to move the filter. Sometimes fish just need to be put by themselves to recover.You dont need lighting, some times light can be detrimental to the fish by causing added stress.As for using them as quarentine tanks they are easy to use ,acclimatize the fish, then put fish in and watch it very carefully for a few days. I leave my fish in quarentine for about 1 month, if it shows no problems I then tranfer it into the main tank.
 
1) It depends on what fish that you need to quarantine. Personally, I use a 30g tank for quarantine. Pick a size that your fish will be happy in for 2 months. Smaller is cheaper to medicate if you should need to, though.
2) Just like your other tanks. Proper cycled filtration is necessary, and most animals (and plants) do much better with a proper photo cycle. Basically, anything that you have for your show tanks (filtration, lighting, heating) will be needed on the q-tank. Hiding spots are a good thing, imo, and I like to have a substrate. Calmer fish tend to be healthier.
3) I do, but as long as it's cycled and ready for fish when you need it to be, you don't have to have it running all the time.
4) Introduce them properly to the q-tank, and take note of their appearance and behavior. I don't advise treating new arrivals prophylactically.
5) It depends. I go 4 weeks if I observe no problems. If I have a problem (such as ICH), I go at least 4 weeks after treatment is finished and the fish are back in good health.
 
I forgot one thing I tend not have substrate, the reason being if you use meds that kill bacteria and there is a bacterial colony in the substrate it just adds to the wastes in the water and it is harder to keep substrate clean. I painted the bottom and blacked out the back and sides so it does not reflect anything. And like Raskolnikov said plenty of hiding spaces , I use PVC pipe of all different sizes. The tank is not for looks so I try to keep it a simple as possible.Btw I also forgot to mention keep the tank near a window but not in dirrect sunlight.
 
I think you can skip the lighting (ambient room light will be enough for a natural photo period)

Skip the substrate (makes it easier to set up/take down, and easier to maintain)

Some clay pots or rocks are not necessary, but will help make your occupant more secure and heal faster.

Nobody has elaborated on the cycled filter so I will Best choice for a qtank is a simple sponge filter. Either put the sponge from it over the intake of your current filter, or put it into a spare media slot. Anywhere that water flows through it continuously will work. In a few weeks you should have enough bacteria to handle the bioload from a few sick fish. That's all you NEED to have ready in advance. Everything else for a qtank you can buy on the spot whenever you decide you need it
 
1) Does size matter i have spare 10g and 15g tanks?
Bigger the better, with normal tanks, but for a Q tank the smalles tank needed for the fish. (You use less meds)

2) Filteration? Lighting?
Filter is needed, I use a desklamp.

3) do you keep it running while empty?
No. I store it in my closet. To cycled it, I bring out my spong from the filter on
my main tank.

4)how do you use them? when brought new fish home, place them in hospital and just keep eye on them, or do you have to treat them just incase?
Just leave him in there for a month, and watch. If anything comes up take action.

5) how long in quarantine?
Depends on the fish and the person. I like to keep them in there 2weeks to a month.
 
I don't want to hijack anyone's thread but I was wondering if anyone has ever used a big rubbermaid-esque storage container as a quarantine tank? It's something that I've been considering trying........a plastic tote would be easier to stash away when not in use--not to mention a heck of a lot cheaper. Does anyone forsee any issues with this?
 
NFB - using a QT is a great idea, I'm sure you'll be glad you decided to set one up.
1) Does size matter i have spare 10g and 15g tanks?
I'm using a 10g right now, I find it's enough for me since my fish are small and it makes medicating easy (nearly everything seems to be dosed x ml / 10g)

2) Filteration? Lighting?
I think both are a good idea, though with really sick fish I turn off the lights to reduce stress (the tank is near a window, so there's still some light to give them a normal day/night rhythm).

3) do you keep it running while empty?
I've kept the QT going with just snails, and put it away when I don't anticipate using it for a long time (not purchasing new fish). If you store it somewhere, as others said it's a good idea to keep some media in another filter for the QT filter so it's cycled when you set it up.

4) how do you use them? when brought new fish home, place them in hospital and just keep eye on them, or do you have to treat them just incase?
I never treat 'just in case', always wait and see. If the fish become ill, I treat accordingly.

5) how long in quarantine?
If the fish is healthy, 4 weeks. If I need to treat for something, 4 weeks after treatment is over.

mindtonic - I think quite a few people use buckets/containers for QTs or fry grow-out tanks, it's much less expensive and I imagine it works quite well. I can't see any problem with it, as long as your heater doesn't lay against the side/bottom (I'm not sure if it would get warm enough, but they are made of plastic/rubber and it's possible it could melt). I guess this is important with glass too, come to think of it :)
 
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