MagpieTear

This last round of ich I'm fighting has convinced me to set up a quarantine/hospital tank. My LFS is having a used equipment sale tomorrow, so I'm going to go look for a 20 gallon (high if they have them) tank, hood, light, heater, thermometer, a net specific for the quarantine tank, and an aquaclear 50. Is there anything else I need that you can think of?

Also, since I plan on not having gravel or decorations in the tank, do I need to leave it full all the time? Is it neccesary to cycle a quarantine tank and leave it up and running all the time? Or can I just fill it with water from my 55 when needed and count that as the water change for my 55? Another part of my reasoning for doing this is when there are not sick fish in it is I can fill it the day before my scheduled water change, let the chlorine gas off and get the water to temp before I siphon off the old. Then I can cut back on the chlorine removal chemicals. Or is my logic flawed?

sgould

A quarantine tank should be cycled when used. If you do not want to keep it full and cycled all the time, you could run an extra filter on your main tank all the time, then transfer it over to the Q tank when it is needed. This could be a small HOB, or even just a sponge filter.

COBettaCouple

yea, that's the way to do it.

MagpieTear

Gotta love the used equipment sale at Elmers! Just got home with a Perfecto 20 High tank ($10), matching hood with light ($15), a 75 watt heater ($8), Aquaclear 50 ($14) Thermometer ($1), and a dedicated net ($.50) All of it in fine shape except some heavy calcium deposits on the tank. A quick scrub with diluted vinegar and two rinses took care of that. Filled it with clear water to do a 2 day leak test before I set it up in it's permanent home, I should have a good quarantine tank ready to roll by next weekend, for about the cost of a new tank of the same size.

COBettaCouple

great pickup!