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Hey Guys
this might sound like a dumb question, but what do i need in a hospital tank? SInce i recently upgraded I have a spare 10 gallon that i think i want to use just as a hospital tank. Is it supposed to have gravel,plants , a heater and a filter or something else?

Sam

Hospital tanks are pretty basic.

IMO, an ideal ten gallon hospital tank would prolly look like this:

Normal lighting and substrate, a HOB filter like the AquaClear , a 50 watt heater and a thermometer, along with some smaller (plastic) plants for hiding in, but not so many as to hide the fish that you are medicating! I say plastic plants because as it is a hospital tank, if any disease pops up, you will most certainly kill the plants during treatment. Other smallish decorations can be put in too.

And there is no such thing as a dumb question



Last edited by Ferretfish at 19-Jan-2005 17:27

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Thanks for the quick response! Should there be gravel or sand on the bottom or just leave it clean?

substrate will probably provide an area for the good bacterias to grow (in addition to the media in the filter)

Very responsible fish owner setting up a hoppy.

Good for you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

I keep a small internal power filter in my main tank so it is seeded with the bacteria needed to help the cycle along in a hospital tank when needed.

Besides if I had a hospital tank set up waiting to go i'd have fish in there in no time, then i'd have to look for another tank to use as a hospital!

---

Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Lindy I do the same!

An aquarist that can keep a hosptial or QT tank fully set up and running without ever putting shishies in it...is my hero. I have tried, I absolutely cannot resist filling it with fish!

*bump*

Back on topic, I would use gravel, because the sand can often screw up things with the filter, and it's just easier to deal with in a hospital tank IMO. Prolly cheaper too since you won't need very much, and comes in a nicer variety of colors. It's easier to put plastic plants in gravel than sand too.

Good Luck!




-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

My only disagreement withthe advice is the substrate. As a quarantine tank, I understand substrate to anchor plastic plants. However, if it is a hospital tank, I want as few items in the tank as possible to hide the nasty little buggers that are infecting my fish. No substrate, no plants, just 4 glass walls that can be cleaned and sterilized after use.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

I tend to agree with Bob. My 10 gallon quarantine tank consist of nothing but a filter and a heater.

Well guys i'm attempting to set up a hospital tank, but as you said It's so hard to keep it empty. I keep thinking my Cory's would love a new tank with some new friends! I keep having to slap myself...telling me i can't afford , i have no room, etc!! But i really am trying!!]

Sam!

P.S. I know understand why everyone loves cories....i'm completely addicted

Does the quarantine tank need to cycle fully before fish can be put in? And can this process be speeded up somehow.

Is two weeks about the average time fish should spend in quarantine?

Just to add, I guess it does need to cycle before putting fish in, if fish aren't in the tank all the time won't it undergo a new cycle when fish are added? I guess I'm asking how do you keep the tank ready without keeping fish in it all the time?

Last edited by luvmykrib at 16-Nov-2005 15:59

"If you're afraid you'll make a mistake, you won't make anything."
-Family Circus

Hi,
The ten gallon tank is an ideal tank for a hospital tank.
The math for figuring dosages is easy with the number 10.

The tank should be a bare tank with a black background
and another piece of black construction paper underneath
it. That way you can examine the fish easier and things
like sores, scrapes, and even Ich, are more easily spotted.
The black paper under the tank keeps the fish from seeing
themselves and panicking.
A bare bottom tank also prevents critters from "hiding"
between grains of gravel and makes for much easier
cleaning.

Have a good heater as many medications require that you
raise the temperature to be most effective.
Lastly, use a simple sponge filter powered by an air
pump. That will provide circulation within the tank,
good oxygenation, and is the easiest filter to clean
out on a regular basis.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

i agree with mr.Frank guy on top of my post really good advice