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I've never used a quarantine tank before, and touch wood! so far i've had no problems, but i've decided to start one.

just a few questions on it

1) Does size matter i have spare 10g and 15g tanks?
2) Filteration? Lighting?
3) do you keep it running while empty?
4) how do you use them? when brought new fish home, place them in hospital and just keep eye on them, or do you have to treat them just incase?
5) how long in quarantine?

thanks for the help NFB

1) Does size matter i have spare 10g and 15g tanks?

Usually it's a good idea to use a smaller tank when quarantining due to the need to dose medications per water volume.. So long as the tank can comfortably house the fish in question, you should have no problems with the sizes you've listed..

2) Filteration? Lighting?

Dim lighting is fine when dealing with quarantine tanks.. If a fish is ill or stressed from shipment, dimmer lights will keep the stress levels down..

A simple HOB filter rated to the tank size would be sufficient.. Keep in mind that some meds, namely antibiotics, will kill the beneficial bacterias in the tank/filter and do water changes accordingly to keep the water parameters within acceptable levels..

3) do you keep it running while empty?

I've seen that some folks do, but I don't bother.. As my QT is a 20gal, I take half the water for it from one of my established tanks and use a biowheel/filter media from one of my established filters.. Then I dump it out and stuff it into the garage until I need it again..

4) how do you use them? when brought new fish home, place them in hospital and just keep eye on them, or do you have to treat them just incase?

When you bring a new fish home, it's usually just for observation.. Watch the fish for symptoms of disease and then treat as it becomes necessary.. I'm not a big fan of dosing medications unless there is just cause..

5) how long in quarantine?

3-4 weeks is not unrealistic.. I'd say 2 weeks would be a minimum if you're waiting to see if disease symptoms will manifest..


Don't forget your heater and a thermometer.. Temperature fluctuations are stressful and your fish don't need that when they're settling in.. You might also consider purchasing some fake plants to use specifically in your quarantine tank.. That way your fish will have something to shelter in/under and you don't have to worry about cross contamination.. I have one of those long ropes of fabric plants you can purchase at the LFS.. It's handy because one is enough for a smaller tank and you can pull it out easily when it's time to collect the fish from quarantine..

Good Luck with it..

Wow thanks for the help.

I was also thinking about this just the other day, as I will be setting my 4 footer back up soon and well will need a QT for the new fish.