What would an ideal quarantine tank include?

Question

I have a 10 gallon tank I plan on turning into a quarantine tank because I'm going to get a 20 gallon. Right now it has a 20 gallon filter, air stone, gravel, 3 fake plants, heater, fake rock setup, thermometer, and it has been cycled for about 2 months now. Should I take anything out? Also I know its a good idea to quarantine new fish and watch them for a while before adding them to a new tank, so I was wondering how long you should quarantine fish.

Answer 1

A quarantine can be as fancy or as plain as you want it to be. To really be a quarantine, all you need is what's the minumum to make your fish happy. So things you want to look for would that it would be large enough to house the fish comfortable for 1-2 weeks, a filter, heater if they need it, and something to keep them from jumping out (this can be as simple as a towel over the tank).

Some people use gravel, while others won't. The advantage of using it is that if the quarantine is cycled, it reduces ammonia and nitrite stress, so you won't need to change the water as often. By not using gravel, some say it makes the tank easier to clean, plus if you need to medicate using antibiotics, this would kill the beneficial bacteria anyway.

As far as decorations, it's a good idea to give shy fish a place to hide. What this is can depend on the fish, and can be as simple a small pieces of PVC or a sideways flowerpot for cichlids, to some plastic plants (won't be affected by medications and don't need light).

For quarantine, in freshwater 1-2 weeks is normal, for saltwater, 3-4 weeks is more typical.

Good for you for using a quarantine as well - this really cuts down of the potential to lose fish already in the main tank to diseases and parasites (using them with good lighting for live plants also prevents algae and snail outbreaks!)

NOTE: Unless you have identified a specific disease or parasite, it's not advised to use any medication (other than aquarium salt for tolerant species) in a quarantine tank . That's not to say the quarantine tank can't double as a hospital tank if necessary!

Answer 2

Hi there! It's a great idea to have a quarantine tank set and ready to go, so kudos to you for thinking of it! A quarantine tank setup is simple. All you need is a bare tank with some type of filtration WITHOUT the carbon (since carbon removes the medication from the water); a heater, a powerhead and/or airstone for surface agitation (for oxygen increase), an aquarium test kit(s) for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate; and a fish net (a different one then you use for the main tank). I would leave out gravel, any and all decorations, etc. as they can (from what I have been told) take from the medication. I'm sure some people use some things, but it's a personal preference. It's really not necessary.
If and when the time comes that you need the hospital tank, I would fill it with water from the main aquarium (when it's needed, not before that time because it's unneccesary if you don't have any fish in it). Some people choose to use aquarium salt while treating sick fish, as they feel the fish benefit from the salt, but I believe this is also a personal preference. I tend to use it (just don't over-do it), and i've never had a problem.
I personally never quarantine new fish, as I am very selective and examine the fish very carefully prior to purchasing (not that this works all the time, but here again, I've never run in to a problem). From what I've read, some people quarantine fish for up to 2 weeks or more prior to releasing them in to the main tank. Whether you decide to quarantine or not, just be sure to take some time and examine the fish you are going to purchase VERY closely, and take time to watch their behavior as well as perform a thorough visual inspection. If anything looks "off" to you, or you have a doubt about their behavior (i.e. lethargic, unclear eyes, poor coloring, tattered fins, etc.), put that fish back and pick a new one. It's the people's job at the fish store to cater to you, so if they have a problem with your being selective with your fish, you need to find a new store!
Best of luck to you, I hope I was able to be of some help. ;o)

Answer 3

I'm not quite clear why you are decorating a quarantine tank. Keeping it simple will facilitate its use. Also the question is begged ; do you maintain the exact same water condition in both tanks? If not how are you acclimatizing the fish from one tank to the other?

Answer 4

give them a couple weeks or until you think they are ready, you dont need any decor like gravel or fake plants in a quarantine tank because it only makes it harder to clean