Hospital Tank Questions

[starscream]

i just set up my hospital tank the other day and i have my filter running to make sure the water is super clean all i have in it are rocks a heater and a filter is there anything else i need to have inside of it or is that ok? im putting 2 sailfin plecos in it tomorrow should i put food in it, if so what kind? thanks for all the help

 

[KittyKat]

Is the filter cycled? If yes, you have everything right. If no, you have to treat the aquarium as un-cycled.

What do you feed your plecos normally? Algae wafers? Vegetables? Whatever it is, keep feeding them while you're treating them. If the aquarium is quite small, you may need to do regular water changes.

 

[starscream]

what do you mean filter cycled. and i give them algae wafers should i give them vegis?

 

[KittyKat]

A (nitrogen) cycle is when ammonia is converted to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate by bacteria which live in the filter. This is the primary function of the filter. If you do not know about this, please read the beginner's resource on here. If a filter is not cycled, ammonia and nitrite will build up in the water; readings of 0.25 ppm or over will harm the fish. Prolonged exposure to ammonia and nitrite will kill the fish.

I usually feed a mixture of algae wafers and courgette.