Quarantine tank...

Aged_Cheddar

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OK, so maybe a stupid question, but...

I've never really had a specific tank for quarantine purposes, I always just used whatever I had laying around, tossed a heater & and air stone in there, and off we went, looking back I was probably infinitely cruel to it's temporary inhabitants, though that wasn't my intent, ignorance isn't an excuse...

So, my current ongoing battle with Ich (which I think I'm winning) has me ready to be serious with a little quarantine/hospital tank...

So, the questions, what goes into a proper quarantine/hospital setup?

I know I need a tank...It's going to be a 5-6 gallon tank, because I can house it inside my existing tank stand.

A filter, but should it be a small HOB? Sponge Filter?

Obviously a heater, air stone & some sort of light.

Should I toss some fake plants in there, along with some "hiding spots"? or should it be left bare in order to better see/evaluate the fish condition?

Any suggestions for fish meds to always have "on hand" aside from the obvious Ich treatment and water conditioner?

Do you leave quarantine/hospital tanks always up and running? Or do you fire them up on a "as needed basis"?

If you quarantine plants, do you use the same tank as the fish. or do you have a separate tank for plants?

Any additional thoughts?

Thanks!!
 
A filter, but should it be a small HOB? Sponge Filter?
A sponge filter is good because it can usually also be rigged to provide a bubbler, for extra oxygenation. Plus, the flow is reduced, which is a plus and it can be easily cleaned/replaced, post-disease and treatment.
Obviously a heater, air stone & some sort of light.
An adjustable heater would be even better. A light isn't necessary for fish, but...
Should I toss some fake plants in there, along with some "hiding spots"? or should it be left bare in order to better see/evaluate the fish condition?
Whilst not stuffing it full of live plants, I would go for live rather than artificial, because these are safe for delicate fish to swim through and will help manage waste. I'd go for silk rather than plastic. I have access to 'spare' plants I could just throw into the water, (no need to plant them in a substrate) and a nearby source of basic pondweed, (Elodea), that would also do very well. Obviously, any real plants would have to be considered expendable, whereas silk plants can be sterilised afterwards.
Any suggestions for fish meds to always have "on hand" aside from the obvious Ich treatment and water conditioner?
Just aquarium salt for me. Again, I have Amazon Prime AND a nearby Pets at Home store, to buy any required meds if they really are essential. If I kept stuff in a cupboard, 'just in case', chances are it'll be out of date by the time I come to use it.
Do you leave quarantine/hospital tanks always up and running? Or do you fire them up on a "as needed basis"?
I'd leave it ready and unassembled.
I couldn't trust myself not to stock it and turn it into just another tank.
For example, I set up a QT for my Czech-import female gourami. That tank is now my Dwarf Gourami Breeding Tank.:oops:
For real QT, or even a Hospital Tank, I have an adequate plastic storage box, with the necessary equipment in it, ready and waiting.
If you quarantine plants, do you use the same tank as the fish. or do you have a separate tank for plants?
I'd never quarantine plants, but I am now in the habit once more of treating plants for passengers.
 
I'd never quarantine plants.

I hadn't really thought about it either, but I introduced a couple bundles of Hornwort and a hand full of Salvinia to my tank, all seemed OK, but within a few days, (can't remember how many, should have wrote it down), some of my fish developed Ich, I've since lost 3...I think I've caught it in time to save the rest because the spots are getting less & less, but I've got a long way to go.

The only thing I can think of is, the plants brought the Ich from the store to my tank...I can't prove that, but considering there were no other additions, it seems likely.
 

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