Fry/Quarantine/Hospital Tank?

[PeterH]

I have a 25 gallon tank. At the moment it is about 75% through cycling, 4th week, Ammonia less than 1 but more than 0, Nitrite is going down, 3 right now. Nitrate just started to go up, about 10. Probably added about 1 gallon of water due to evaporation. Plan to do a 2 gallon water change in 3 weeks.
There's a pair of near adult White Cloud Mountain Minnows (about 4 cm) and a Otocinclus affinis (4 cm, certainly an adult, sex unknown). The tank doesn't have any live plants, so the Oto gets an Wardley Shrimp or Spirulina Pellet every day. (I'm not sure if this is too much.)
Anyhow, more fish will be coming soon. It's been warm, the tank has gone from 71-72° to about 75° I will plug in the heater, but don't expect to see it on much.
I'm not going to put any fish in right away. I plan to let them spend a week in quarantine first. I've seen the Haweye Wave (2.5 gallon) for about $25. I've seen the Hawkeye Aqua Tank (2 gallon) for about $21. Both have simple airstone/gravel filters. Neither seem to have heat. There's a little 7.5 watt heater at Wal-Mart. I'm thinking this might help, but don't know if it has a thermostat. Oddly these tanks seem to rely on the lighting for heat, but warn not to leave the light on all the time because of algae. Any other suggestions for a secondary tank are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Pysgodyn]

I'm 'fairly' new to fishes...having had my tank up and running (post-cycling) for 9 weeks (ish). I've recently had a batch of guppy fry (21). I had an old tank which I used to keep goldfish in as a child, that I now use as a fry tank. It's only 6 gallons, and I'm worried that my 21 fry will soon outgrow it (but they might be big enough to be rehomed in the main tank by then...who knows). Only 2 gallons seems tiny... (whether UK gallons or US gallons...there's no much difference in a tank as small as that anyway). How many fish would you keep in there at any given time, and how long for? Given the answer, I'm probably too inexperienced to respond...but I'll definitely benefit from hearing what some of the more experienced fish-keepers will say...

 

[Waterloo Kid]

I have used a 20 litre (approx 4 gallon UK) tank as a hospital tank. It came with a 50 watt heater which was useless. The temp variations were too large as the heater could only just heat the tank to the required temp. Buy a decent 100 watt heater. Use it in the hospital tank when needed and then keep it as a spare for the main tank, just in case. Put the heater you have in the main tank. A steady temp is important for the wellbeing of the fish. If the water is tto warm then the heater will not switch on (as you stated) so you have nothing to loose by putting it in.
You are doing things the right was by starting your stock off lightly. Be aware that ottos are known to be rather delicate. They have been known to die for no apparent reason, even in mature tanks. I'd be suprised if an otto can be kept alive through a cycle. Saying that, if it survives then there's a good chance that it'll last for ages!
Don't add any more fish until ammonia and nitrite are at zero. No other values should be accepted. Then (as you probably know) add slowly over a number of weeks.
When choosing the hospital tank make sure that it is big enough to house the largest fish ( or largest number of fish) that you plan to put into the main tank at any one time. The new fish will be spending a few weeks in this tank. I personally think that 2 gallons is just too small. Not enough water volume to keep it stable.
As a final word of warning be aware that both white clouds and ottos do better in groups of 6 or more. Make sure that shoaling fish can shoal! This applies more to the white clouds than to the ottos althought the ottos do like company.

Welcome to the forum and good luck with the tank. You're doing things the right way. If in doubt don't be affraid to ask!

WK