A Temporary Quarantine Set-up.

[pica_nuttalli]

not everybody has space to keep a spare tank running for quarantine or hospitalization. for those of us who just can't make room...
instructions for an alternative:

• get an extra 5g bucket. you can store most 5 gallons in a stack; adding one only raises the height about 3"
• get an extra air pump and airstone
• get a refill filter insert for the smallest Whisper internal filter.
• put the Whisper filter media in with your other filter so it can already be colonized w/ bacteria
• the next time you need a hospital/quarantine, rinse out the extra bucket and put in 3~4 gallons clean water
• take out the Whisper filter media and rinse it w/ tank water to get the gunk off
• open up the floss pouch and put the airstone inside it, all the way at the bottom.
• hook it up to the airpump and voila! you've got beneficial bacteria!
• when you don't need the airpump and airstone, just store it with your other fish stuff
• the filter media you can either rinse well w/ tap water then dry thoroughly, or you can just toss it

5g buckets are about 4 bucks in the home improvement section, airpumps are about 7 bucks, airline & an airstone will run you another 2~3 and the filter media are about $2.50 each, but can be bought in self-assemble packages of 4 for about 6 bucks. Per use: less than $20. and it looks very utiliatarian, "serious business" as opposed to "watery fun" (a plus in that you won't be tempted to turn it into a long-term arrangement )

if you have larger fish or fish prone to jumping, the same sort of arrangement can be made using a larger plastic storage tub or even a clean garbage can. just put a few holes in the top for the airline (and possibly a heater). then fill as necessary and put the lid on. the secret is to reserve the container just for fish stuff so that you don't contaminate it. when not in use, it can hold your water-changing supplies, nets, extra gravel and other fishy things.