Quarantine Tank

[fish nutter]

Hi everyone,

just wondering if i should get a Quarantine tank? Is it essential? How big will i need it? what would i need to do to run it? (i have a 55gal tank)

Thanks

 

[mtv8dmarine]

Quarantine tanks can vary in size. I personally use a 10 gal. I have a little substrate, plastic plants and basic decor for the comfort of the fish as stressed fish never make very healthy fish. You do need a filter, heater, light at minimum. Some people use plastic tubs instead of a glass aquarium because a plastic tub can be a very cheap alternative.

You should use a QT if you want to be sure you don't infect your main tank population with something a new fish might be carrying. I read something about a month ago that said only 5 or 6% or aquarists actually use a QT. I don't know exactly how accurate that is but I got tired of losing fish because I didn't keep my new fish in the QT for 2 - 3 weeks just to make sure they were proper first.

 

[fish nutter]

do i need to constantly run it, or can i just set it up with water from my other tank when i get fish?

 

[mtv8dmarine]

Since a QT tank is in use periodically you really won't have a constant waste source to keep the tank cycled so main tank water would be a good idea and just keep an eye on your water parameters and do water changes at appropriate frequencies.

 

[star4]

I have 3 quaranteen/hospital tanks, it depends on the size of the fish. Trouble is for me a quaranteen usually ends up being filled

 

[fish nutter]

what about cycling? if the fish are going to be in there for up to 3 weeks how am i going to cycle?

will i have to use media from my external filter?

my tank is 6 - 7 months old would it be safe (risk collapsing my established tanks biological system) and work to transfer media?

 

[Spanerman]

I run a small internal in my main tank and use that in the QT when i have news fish

Then disinfect the media and put it back into the maint tank to re-cycle

I do this to get rid of any spores/bad bacteria that could have taken up home there.

Sam.

 

[fish nutter]

good idea!

However i have the tank in my bedroom and i can not stand a noisy filter(the eheim pro3 2073 external is the one i can not hear)!

I can have a noisy internal for a couple of weeks with me wearing ear plugs... will it cycle in like 2 weeks?

 

[Twinklecaz]

Get a Fluval U if you want a quiet internal.......you can't hear them atall!


Btw, what a good idea Spanerman.

 

[fish nutter]

Get a Fluval U if you want a quiet internal.......you can't hear them atall!


Btw, what a good idea Spanerman.

ok, but the Fluval U1 does not have biotech media... do i need it for a Quarantine tank? (if it is quiet i will have it running side on with my external until i get fish)

do i need to get the U2? can i take out something (i.e sponge) and replace it with biotech media?

thanks

 

[Spanerman]

The sponge will work as a home for the bacteria, no need for bio rings on smaller filters

Thanks peeps

Sam.

 

[fish nutter]

The sponge will work as a home for the bacteria, no need for bio rings on smaller filters

Thanks peeps

Sam.

ok thanks



how do you disinfect the filter ?

 

[Spanerman]

I have a realy weak dilution of pure bleach in water and soak the sponges in it overnight

Then rinse realy Well in fresh water

Sam.

 

[drobbyb]

Just to point out something here, you should quarantine for at least a month. Some of the pathogens out there don't show symptoms for a month, so anything less than a month still isn't safe to add to your main tank.

 

[fish nutter]

Just to point out something here, you should quarantine for at least a month. Some of the pathogens out there don't show symptoms for a month, so anything less than a month still isn't safe to add to your main tank.

ok, thanks