Quarantine Tank?

[OpalHeart]

I'm considering purchasing a SMALL quarantine tank for new tank members. I've read many posts that strongly recommend hosptital tanks so why not place newbies in one to make sure they do not get or have some mysterious ailment.

I always treat the tank with Melafix for three days after new additions, but as my new green cory surfaced with no tail and I'm quite sure he had one when I bought him last week, a new strategy in in order. I am really thinking I do not want to risk adding any new fish in my tank. Twenty-four hours after "no tail" swam out of the log, he died in the the methaline blue water. My favorite C. Ambiacus died shortly after the demise of the tailless green cory. Ambi had all his fins so his death is a mystery. (maybe he didnt like blue water)

I do not want a big tank (no where to put it really) and this time of year the small tanks (one, two and three gallons) are ridiculously cheap and abundantly available.

Here is the problem. The small 1 and 2 gallon tanks cannot be heated. Does keeping it in a warm room suffice?
How long would be adequate to make sure the fish is healthy without overly stressing it by moving it again?
Can a tank this small work as a nurery tank as well? Its certainly bigger than the hanging net they are swimming in now.

Opinions anyone?

 

[Tolak]

I use 25w heaters in 2.5 gallon tanks all the time. Go with a good brand, Ebos or Visitherms, and you won't have a problem. This will prevent temperature swings, which could stress a fish already stressed from being shipped, tossed in a shop tank, bagged, & put into another tank, usually in a short amount of time.

I quar fish from a known source for two weeks, unknown source for four weeks. Use separate nets, buckets, and water change equipment to eliminate cross contamination.

As a nursery tank, it depends on what species, how many, and how long. I hatch spawns of 200+ angels in 2.5 gallons, they stay in there for the first two weeks, larger spawns that are closer to 400 get moved to a 10 gallon after a week. A 2 week old angel is anywhere from 1/16" to 1/8" after two weeks, to give you some idea.