quarantine tank

hi all what would you say is a good size tank for a quarantine tank any suggestions, and also equipment needed for it any help would be much appreciated thanks ;D

 

Depends on the size of fish you plan on stocking. I think a 20 or even a 10 should be good enough. I like to run a QT with no substrate and some kind of hang on the back bio filter. You just have to do more water changes that way but most medications require that anyway.

 

ok so how many water changes would you do in a week mate, and do you take ur tank down everytime ur not using it, or do you leave it running

 

ive got a ten gallon tank which comes with a small light hood, just unshure on filter which would you suggest mike

 

If I were to ever set up another (I converted my original 10g to a nano), I would do a 20g long. Bare bottom, heater, PVC or other plastic cheap thang for the fish to hide in/behind, a regular 14W lamp and a Koralia-nano for water movement.

 

I would change it every day or at least every other for a sick fish. With a new one every three days probably. I would leave it running to keep bacteria in the bio filter alive. I like anything with a bio wheel. They dont clog with nitrate causing gunk like most bio media does. Iv run one with no filter media in the back and just the wheel running and it makes a big difference. You could also put some chemical filtration in it if your not using medications these will take out. When you are running meds through its a good idea to put something strictly for mechanical filtration in there.

 

so if i left it running would i still need to change the water every 3 days or just do water changes when fish are in the tank

 

I went and got one of those 10 gallon kits from wal-mart throw in a little of that instant cycle stuff. Do a 20%ish water change every day while treating. Then drain it and store it in the closet while its not needed. Kit comes with hang on back carbon filter and it works well IMHO for a QT.

 

did you cycle the tank with carbon in or out mate, and do you do water changes every two weeks still if their is no fish init

 

24 hours without. I put in that instant cycle stuff (I cannot remember what the name of that stuff is for the life of me atm), a cupfull of my DT tank water in there. Then install one of those carbon packs, I'm sure you can cycle with the carbon, but I've just done it this way (doesn't make it right or 100% best). After treatment, I clean the tank with bleach, and stick it into the closet until I need it next time. But whenever its running I make it a habbit to have a daily water change. If your planning to have this running full time, then I would just change the water daily during treatment, then a day before you put in a fish, and a day after. Bacteria should remain in there and keep going, so if there is nothing adding wastes then there is no need to change the water.

I generally only use the QT with new arrivals anyways, so if your in a pinch its prolly not best to wait 24 hours and just add your fish, carbon and bacteria all at once to get rolling. Just remember to remove the carbon when you use any medications, I personally use hyposalinity unless I need a very direct attack on whatever ails my pets.

-Gavin

P.S. Am on the way out, so forgive the grammer.