What is the best way to set up a breeder/quarantine tank?

[jonatheber]

I have a well cycled 46 gallon livebearer tank. It uses a fluval 407 filter stuffed with pot scrubbies. I am starting to get babies from my guppies, and would like to set up a separate 10 gallon tank for them to do a bit of growing before I put them in the main tank, hoping that they'll avoid getting eaten.... The babies are currently in a net breeder in the main tank.

If I take a new tank, put two of the scrubbies in the hang-on-the-back cheapo filter, and fill it with the water from the tank (or maybe half of the water, half from the tap) , do I need to do anything further to prep the tank? Or will it basically be good to go?

 

[seangee]

Pretty much good to go. For a grow out tank you will want to be doing daily water changes anyway. May as well use clean (dechlorinated) water from the start.

Silly question: Have you considered making sure there are lots of plants (aka hiding spaces) in the main tank and just leaving them in there? You will soon have hundreds of survivors anyway - even if some do get eaten.