Setting Up A Hospital Tank

[Teri]

I've just been setting up a small tank to use as a hospitel tank, hopefully it won't be needed. But I'm just wondering, should it be cycled in any way?
Also, I have a heatr and a small filter, but no light. Are there any other ways of lighting, except for an over head unit, this is a very small 20 litre tank, i don't think I'll be able to find a hood to fit it. Or will the light coming in through the glass be sufficient?
The filter is just a basic sponge filter,will this filter out any of the meds i'll be putting in?

 

[Jozlyn]

Yep, the filter needs to be cycled. The easiest way is to keep the filter in the main tank that way it keeps it cycled and ready for use whenever you need it. You will need to add carbon to the filter to remove medication. A fluro' table lamp, the type with a bendable stem, so you can bend it over the top of the tank would do for light, sick fish don't lke it too bright, I believe, I have something similar over my 22lt fry tank. A small air stone and pump would be worth getting as well as most medications reduce the available oxygen in the water and a sick fish needs all the O2 it can get. Hope this helps