want to set up quarantine tank

**imma24** · 01-29-2011, 11:23 PM

I'm looking to get a 10gal tank for quarantine/sick fish tx purposes but I would like to do it as cheaply as possible. I've read you can set up the tank temporarily until the fish are added to the main tank/fish have been treated but then how easy is it to set it up each time I get new fish? Can anyone recommend an inexpensive filter/heater, etc? I found a 10gal kit at Petco but I'm wondering if it's cheaper to get basic things separately. What the things I absolutely need?

**CassieLEO** · 01-29-2011, 11:46 PM

Much cheaper to find stuff on craigslist. A lot of people give away whole setups for cheap. I just got a 55 gallon setup for 100.00!

**genocidex** · 01-30-2011, 12:05 AM

i agree with cassie u can prolly get an entire set up tank, heater cover filter decor. and w e people have for like 10$ if u look hard enough

**jessfish** · 01-30-2011, 12:11 AM

I got my 10g hospital tank on kijiji...the guy gave me the filter, air pump heater & a ton of decorations & stuff for $40...however
the heater was old & couldn't maintain the heat very well (especially if the room is already on the cold side)
& the filter (aquaclear) is great but i can tell its getting old & i'll have to replace soon..but
what i have realized (i set up my hospital tank this week) is that if u have fish that will get big it might be better to get a slightly larger tank, i've realized that i will need a bigger one within the yr.

I've looked this week & i would suggest if u can find a kit that has the tank,lid,filter,heater(if u need it) its cheaper than buying seperatley - unless u find an awesome deal online!

I realized after I bought all the fresh filter media i needed i could have gotten an entire new filter with all the media included for $10 more!

in my opinion try to find something online, think of how big ur fish will get & about storage when the tank is not in use

oh & the filters that have that one little slide in filter media pack - try to get a filter that has seperate because the packs usually have carbon built in that can't be removed

good luck!

**Lady Hobbs** · 01-30-2011, 12:13 AM

I keep a sponge filter running in my main tank all the time. When I need it to quarantine or for breeding, I simply put it in the breeder tank and it's ready for new fish and already cycled.

**imma24** · 01-30-2011, 02:17 AM

(cut & pasted) I keep a sponge filter running in my main tank all the time. When I need it to quarantine or for breeding, I simply put it in the breeder tank and it's ready for new fish and already cycled.

Lady Hobbs - You use a sponge filter in addition to another filter? Then you add tank water to the other tank?

Thanks everyone for the suggestion to go on Craigslist - I love finding bargains for these things. I was asking because I didn't know whether I needed to get fake plants or other decorations or not - those can be expensive too.

**Fisharefriends27** · 01-30-2011, 03:01 AM

Lady Hobbs is a genius!

**Goes to 11!** · 01-30-2011, 03:09 AM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

I keep a sponge filter running in my main tank all the time. When I need it to quarantine or for breeding, I simply put it in the breeder tank and it's ready for new fish and already cycled.

+1 This is what I do also.

You use a sponge filter in addition to another filter? Then you add tank water to the other tank?

I do, The sponge filter has a colony of BB on it from where it lives. When you move it, The sponge takes the entire colony with it to the new tank.

If its for ER purposes I would use new de-chlorinated water and not the tank water.
For quarantine Exactly:

When you need the QT tank you simply fill it w dechlor water, Make sure its temp is good, And add sponge filter and you have an instant QT/ER tank.

**vegas2k** · 01-30-2011, 03:19 AM

yup I have a large sponge filter attached to an airpump in my big tank. Besides being a good QT filter, it's good backup air and filtration for the main tank. I just hide it behind my rocks, can't see it that easily =p

**imma24** · 01-30-2011, 03:21 AM

I currently have a cannister filter (Fluval 305) - can I get any brand of sponge filter? How long do I run this additional filter before I can use it for the quarantine tank? And I guess I just get a heater appropriate for a 10gal tank - do I need to get decorations or something for fish to hide in or not bother? I know gravel isn't needed.