Suitable Filter For 18x12x15 Fry/hospital Tank

[dirtydog]

i have a small tank that I would like to set up incase i need to switch a fish in there for meds etc.
i presume i just leave it running all the time like a normal tank? im wondering what sort of filter would be suitable (read "cheap as poss") for this sort of tank.
thanks in advance for your help

 

[ennbee]

air powered sponge filter.

 

[dirtydog]

ok thanks

 

[ennbee]

You're welcome.

 

[dirtydog]

just a thought - will this not be noisy? its important that its not because it will be next to my bed!
is there anything against using a fluval 1 or similar? i could put something around the intake to stop the fry getting sucked in....

 

[Jozlyn]

Filter size needs to be around 5 times water volume.

After you get the correct size filter, put the filter media in your main tank, in the main tank's filter if there is enough space, or sit it beside/behind the filter to allow a bacteria colony to build up in it. That way you do not have to have the hospital/quarantne tank running all the time and you will not have to "feed" the bacteria colony living in the filter. You can't just have your other tank running without something in there to keep the bacteria alive. If you use the above system, you will just need to add water , a heater and the mature filter medium to your hospital tank any time you need it and the tank will be pretty much "instantly" cycled.

Hope this helps.

Edit> I actually have a small filter running in my main tank in case I need to set up a hospital/quarantine tank

 

[dirtydog]

yeah I had thought about keeping it alive, your idea seems good to me. it shouldnt take long to heat the small tank so i can just add water and pop the filter in,
i think i will go with a small fluval or something as I know they are quiet.

thanks for your help

 

[Jozlyn]

yeah I had thought about keeping it alive, your idea seems good to me. it shouldnt take long to heat the small tank so i can just add water and pop the filter in,
i think i will go with a small fluval or something as I know they are quiet.

thanks for your help

You're welcome

You can speed up the water heating process by heating some of the water in a kettle but not too much or your water will end up too hot!