How To Maintain An Isolation Tank

[rebrn]

Hi, I have just inherated a 3 gallon tank. I was planning to use it as an isolation/hospital tank. The tank previously held a Betta, however, it and the filter have been empty for approximately 6 months now, so I know that I will have to cycle the tank. However, once I get it cycled (fishless) what do I do to maintain the bacteria colony? Should I just keep adding ammonia daily untill I need to use it or should I put something in there, ie a snail or shrimps, to maintain the ammonia for the bacteria colony? Not sure what the best way to go is since it will hopefully never actually have to be used.

Thanks

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, its a problem. You are right that during the active periods when you want to prepare your Q/H Tank you should maintain the bacteria with ammonia, just as in a fishless cycle.. well, it -is- a fishless cycle. But the usual people put forward as the best among a selection of not-so-great alternatives is to just plan to stuff the small filter with mature media from your big tank when the time comes. Its another of the reasons that experienced aquarists like having big oversized cannister filters.. so you can "borrow" media from them more easily. Another thing a lot of them do is run a simple spong filter as an addition to one of their big tanks and then just move it over.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[rebrn]

Yes, its a problem. You are right that during the active periods when you want to prepare your Q/H Tank you should maintain the bacteria with ammonia, just as in a fishless cycle.. well, it -is- a fishless cycle. But the usual people put forward as the best among a selection of not-so-great alternatives is to just plan to stuff the small filter with mature media from your big tank when the time comes. Its another of the reasons that experienced aquarists like having big oversized cannister filters.. so you can "borrow" media from them more easily. Another thing a lot of them do is run a simple spong filter as an addition to one of their big tanks and then just move it over.

~~waterdrop~~

Sounds good. The filter that came with the 3 gallon is exactly that a simple sponge filter. So I guess I will just run that small sponge filter in my larger tank then transfer it over when I need to use the Q/H tank. Thanks for the advice, that makes a lot more sense then constantly adding ammonia to a tank and risk it not being "fish safe" when needed.

Thanks again