hospital tank

[gingerjackie]

I want to have a hospital tank just in case.
I have a small tank 12 by 8 by 8 inches a heater, and a biofoam filter. Do I use water from my main tank, if so how do I get the healthy bacteria in the filter straight away? I dont really want to have the tank set upi all the time only when I need it is this possible?
Hope for some advise.
Ginger Jackie

 

[Tandor]

IMO, the best thing to do is let the hospital filter run in your main tank until you need it. That way it will all ready be seeded with bacteria. This is what I plan to do, except every time I take someone out of the hospital, it seem someone else needs to go in.

Tandor

 

[gingerjackie]

How long does filter need to be in main tank before I can use it in hospital tank

 

[heresmike]

How long does filter need to be in main tank before I can use it in hospital tank

Dunno the answer to that. But another suggestion is, when you need the hospital tank, set it up and steal some of the bio-media from an established filter for the hospital tank's filter. I did that recently with great success. I tested for ammo and nitrite daily... ammo never registered, and nitrite never went over .1. You'll want to do frequent (daily) partial water changes in a hospital tank, so this and the mature bio-media will keep the ammo/nitirite levels in check.

 

[Tandor]

How long does filter need to be in main tank before I can use it in hospital tank

Most things I have read suggest a week at least. My plan is to always have my hospital filter running on my main tank, and just move it when I need it. Can't have too much filtration.

Dunno the answer to that. But another suggestion is, when you need the hospital tank, set it up and steal some of the bio-media from an established filter for the hospital tank's filter. I did that recently with great success. I tested for ammo and nitrite daily... ammo never registered, and nitrite never went over .1. You'll want to do frequent (daily) partial water changes in a hospital tank, so this and the mature bio-media will keep the ammo/nitirite levels in check.

Another great idea.

Tandor