First Ever Aquarium - Quarantine Question

[Skulk]

I'm planning on setting up my first ever aquarium, using fishless cycling. When the tank has cycled I will put my first fish in.
Over time I will add more fish, which I will put in a quarantine tank first.

I know a lot of people only set up a quarantine tank as and when it is needed, and keep the filter media for it in their main tank.
If I do this with a new tank with only a few fish, would there be sufficient bacteria or would I need to do a fishless cycle for
the quarantine tank as well?

 

[Salam]

Just put the media (sponge, carbon...) of the QT filter in the filter of the main tank and take it out when needed, so it's instantly cycled. Basically, when you do your fishless cycle, cycle that media with it and just leave it in there until you need it.

 

[Skulk]

Just put the media (sponge, carbon...) of the QT filter in the filter of the main tank and take it out when needed, so it's instantly cycled. Basically, when you do your fishless cycle, cycle that media with it and just leave it in there until you need it.

Would there be sufficient bacteria, considering that this is a new tank with only a few fish?

 

[Tizer]

i wouldnt worry too much about aquarantine tanks until you start buying expensive fish. Just buy from a decent shop.

 

[Skulk]

i wouldnt worry too much about aquarantine tanks until you start buying expensive fish. Just buy from a decent shop.

I thought the consensus on this forum was that quarantine is a must.

 

[Tizer]

Depends who you talk to, i don't quarantine (not very often anyway), i buy from trusted sources. However, if a fish develops a problem, i might put it into a smaller tank and treat it if necessary.

99% of problems under the "my fish is sick" forum are caused by the keeper not knowing how to provide a suitable environment for their fish, causing stress, reducing its ability to fight infections. There would be far less posts in there if people took the time to research the species of fish they keep before they bought them.

So my advice would be, research, ask questions, take on board the advice and act accordingly. Don't buy poor stock from bad shops, often as not private breeders will be better. But that world wont open up to the Average Joe Public fish keeper without first becoming part of a community like this forum or getting to know your local shops owners.