Quarantine

[Jo1980]

Hello everyone,

I am ready to add some more fish to my tank, and was wondering about quarantining them.... I can't afford to buy a quarantine tank, and my boyfriend has had fish before and he said they used to peg the fish bag inside the tank, but couldn't really explain (it was his parents tank and he was young).

Can I leave the fish like that for a week? Seems a little cruel to me.... What about one of those floating tanks? I'm worried about the water not being oxygenated enough though... Any other ideas?

I don't know what to do....

Jo.

 

[gale]

No you want to keep them out of the bag and out of your main tank. If you have a clear rubbermaid tub lying around that will hold at least 2 gallons you can use that. Just rinse it super well, put in a plate and put a small heater on that. Put some gravel in a stocking from your main tank and hang that in there. Filter media from your old tank would help too, if you have it. Run a sponge filter or some other small filter, or at least an airstone in it. If you don't filter it, do partial water changes every couple days. Make sure you put the lid on loosely so that any fish don't jump out. Don't forget dechlorinator.

 

[Jo1980]

Hi,

Thanks for that Gale. Um... whats a Rubbermaid tub?

Jo.

 

[Phantom Thief]

Basically any container that can hold a sufficient amount of water and is rated food-safe will do.

P.T.

 

[lighter]

You risk the fish bringing in any unknown parasites or diseases if you dont quarantine them. To me, quarantine is always a must because i dont want to risk the new fish end up killing all the existing fish in the tank.

 

[gale]

Hi,

Thanks for that Gale. Um... whats a Rubbermaid tub?

Jo.

Oh sorry, I thought rubbermaid was worldwide. Tupperware? I don't know any other brands. Do they sell plastic sweater boxes there?

 

[steelhealr]

Hi..my local fish store sells cheap complete 10 gallon tanks with gravel, in tank filter, heater and food, etc for $18. You wouldn't want it for your prime tank but for a quarantine, it's perfect.You should be able to find a cheap quarantine tank....have you checked online for any deals? SH

 

[Jo1980]

Thanks Everyone,

S'ok Gale, I googled it and found out what a rubbermaid was. I think we just call them plastic crates? Oh well, I was at the LFS today and they have a small tank setup for $50AUD so I think I may invest in that.

Thanks again,

Jo.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Blooming hell steelhealr thats cheap! Over here you can't even buy a 5 gallon tank with nothing for much less than that!

 

[steelhealr]

Seems a shame...I saw a complete setup today at PetSmart for $13