Quarantine Tank Set Up

[PlasticGalaxy]

So, with the first ICH-caused death in my current tank, I've quickly learned the hard way that I need to quarantine all newcomers. However... I'm not quite sure how to go about doing this. While beggars really can't be choosers, I'm going to wind up being overly specific about my needs for a quarantine tank. If anyone's willing to humour my pickiness, feel free to, but all ideas are welcome.

First of all, I've not got a huge budget - a lot of my money goes to my doll collecting obsession - and I'm an extreme cheapskate lol. I'd place an estimate for my preferred budget to be, at most, around £30 with a £5-£10 flexibility depending on costs that just can't be whittled down to that £30.

Another thing is that I'd rather use a proper tank as opposed to a plastic tub, just so I'm able to view the fish in there easily. This isn't a must since I know how expensive tanks can be regardless of size, so I'd settle for a tub if it was my only option lol.

So far, I've got a pretty lackluster filter and heater that came with my original 54L tank. It's nothing special at all, really just a starter before moving onto something bigger and better. Pretty sure it's a hang on filter but I'd have to double check.

And... I've actually hit my limit on tanks allowed in my bedroom lol. Which is fair... The floor isn't particularly sturdy anyway. Where do you keep your quarantine tanks?

Is there anything I need to know before trying to start up a tank? I've not done much research at all prior to making this post, so all tips/advice would be very helpful to me. Thank you!!

 

[Circus]

I use a clear plastic tub, spare filter I keep cycled on another tank, and a small 50w heater. Run a split off of the airline for another tank. Will place a couple of cheap plastic plants in there if the fish needs it. Keep it all in a closet when not using it. I think I spent about $20 all told.

 

[PlasticGalaxy]

I use a clear plastic tub, spare filter I keep cycled on another tank, and a small 50w heater. Run a split off of the airline for another tank. Will place a couple of cheap plastic plants in there if the fish needs it. Keep it all in a closet when not using it. I think I spent about $20 all told.

Thank you!

 

[663]

An extended question: If I want an isolation tank just to see what happens with new additions (plants or animals) should I treat the water in some general way? Beyond that, how long is long enough when taking the "watch and wait" approach to isolation?

 

[PlasticGalaxy]

Beyond that, how long is long enough when taking the "watch and wait" approach to isolation?

A lot of people take two weeks of quarantine/isolation as a bare minimum. Some say that even four weeks isn't enough to completely stop all possibility of carrying disease into your new tank(s), but most would say that four weeks is a good amount of time.

 

[663]

A lot of people take two weeks of quarantine/isolation as a bare minimum. Some say that even four weeks isn't enough to completely stop all possibility of carrying disease into your new tank(s), but most would say that four weeks is a good amount of time.

It looks like I won't be able to cheap out on this one then. I'm going to shoot for something like 6-weeks in a bit more than a bare tank. Aquarium Co-Op has some interesting ideas on ICH prevention in those situations where you just don't know. Thanks PlasticGalaxy.

 

[PlasticGalaxy]

It looks like I won't be able to cheap out on this one then. I'm going to shoot for something like 6-weeks in a bit more than a bare tank. Aquarium Co-Op has some interesting ideas on ICH prevention in those situations where you just don't know. Thanks PlasticGalaxy.

Don't lose hope just yet, here's a reply from @Avel1896 explaining their quarantine set up. Best of luck.

 

[Essjay]

The only thing that may need treating routinely is worms. A lot of fish are infected with worms before they arrive at the wholesaler. Many people recommend treating with an worming medication in quarantine. Flubendazole treats both flat and round worms (tapeworms and camallanus worms being the most common of those). In the UK, that's in NT Labs Anti Fluke and Wormer and in Maidenhead Aquatics own brand AquaCare Anti Fluke and Wormer (which is possibly made by NT Labs just sold under their own brand name). Someone else will need to tell us which products contain flubendazole in different countries.

For other diseases, only medicate when/if you see symptoms.


My quarantine tank is 25 litres simply because I have an old tank sitting in the greenhouse. There is a heater for it in the cupboard - it's also an emergency spare heater for my shrimp tank. I have a small filter in the cupboard which I use for running carbon in my main tank should that be necessary.
Last time I quarantined fish I didn't use any media from another tank. I used 2 very large water sprite plants and 2 bunches of elodea (anacharis) left to float. I did use the small filter to circulate water but it was filled with brand new filter wool to catch any bits.

 

[663]

The only thing that may need treating routinely is worms. A lot of fish are infected with worms before they arrive at the wholesaler. Many people recommend treating with an worming medication in quarantine. Flubendazole treats both flat and round worms (tapeworms and camallanus worms being the most common of those). In the UK, that's in NT Labs Anti Fluke and Wormer and in Maidenhead Aquatics own brand AquaCare Anti Fluke and Wormer (which is possibly made by NT Labs just sold under their own brand name). Someone else will need to tell us which products contain flubendazole in different countries.

This could explain two strange deaths I've had in recent history. As orange blotche's go, He was a very interesting fish. Controlled aggression could desribe him. After nearly a year he seemed to loose equilibrium and/or float bladder control. When he died, his smell was FAR beyond his relative size.