My 15g Quarantine Tank Build

So, after a ten year break from the hobby, earlier this year I set up 30g, 40 gallon and 55 gallon aquariums - who said that there was no such thing as MTS?

So far I've been lucky with stocking, which may have something to do with me using the same LFS for all of my fishy friends. I've built up a friendly relationship with the team who run the shop and I trust them when they tell me that their stock is quarantined in medicated tanks for a fortnight before being put on sale. I've never had a problem!

However, as I'd like to increase the selection of fish available to me, I'll have to start looking further afield, which means I can't be as trustworthy.

So, the time has come to set up another aquarium - for quarantining of new purchases and hospital duties should my existing stock become ill.

Here's what I'm working with...




It's a 24x12x13 glass tank which holds about 15 gallon / 60 litre of water. It was actually the first ever aquarium I purchased back in 1992, and has been home to many happy fish. As you can see, it's looking a bit worse for wear at the moment, and has been in storage for the last 15 years. I'm not even sure if it still holds water.

Anyway, the plan is to clean it up, paint the sides and back, remove the gravel, install a sponge filter and small heater and fashion some sort of drip tray from acrylic. I'm not sure about lighting yet.

Hopefully it will be up and running in a couple of months and I can go on the hunt for more fish. I'll document my progress here.

Wish me luck...

 

I think using a HOB filter would be easier to get seeded media into, unless you already have a plan to seed the sponge filter

 

I think using a HOB filter would be easier to get seeded media into, unless you already have a plan to seed the sponge filter

Yes, I agree, a HOB would definitely be easier to seed, but the models I've used before have had quite a strong flow of water back into the tank, which would be okay for a quarantine system but not ideal for a hospital tank.

I plan on running the sponge filter in one of my other tanks for a few weeks to seed it.

 

Okay, so I've made some progress!

After lashings of vinegar, a good scrape with a razor blade, and a mop down with a damp cloth, the glass is finally clean. The old gravel has also been removed.




Next step is to check it holds water before I give the back and sides a lick of paint... ️

 

So, there is good news! The tank has held water for over 24 hours, which means we're good to go.




Time to drain it again, then break out the paint brushes and the acrylic paint...

 

Okay, so I've spent the last couple of days painting the back and sides of the tank using black acrylic paint.

Here it is, drying in front of a couple of my other tanks.




After it's dried, the next step is to put it back into position, decide whether or not to use a gravel substrate, and fill it back up with water...

 

So, this is going really quickly! I thought it would take a couple of months but its been less than a week...

I've got the tank back in position after painting.

I've installed a 75W heater, a very simple LED lamp, an air stone and a sponge filter, both powered by the rather excellent Eheim 200, dual output, adjustable flow air pump.

Now, the plan was to seed the sponges of the filter by running the filter in one of my other tanks for a few weeks. However, after calling into my LFS earlier today, and chatting to the friendly staff, they offered me a couple of sponges from one of their display tanks that use a similar filter to mine, but which they are tearing down tomorrow. So that means I can pick them up tomorrow!

So, here's how the tank looks at the moment.




I decided to go with gravel as I'll probably keep the tank stocked at all times, just to keep the cycle, and I think it is more natural for the fish.

So, the next step is to grab the sponges from the LFS tomorrow and then I guess I'll have to think about which fish I'm going to use to keep the cycle, although it will probably be Zebra Danios.

Oh, I also need to install a drip tray...

 

So, went and picked up the cycled sponges from my friendly LFS this morning, and they're now attached to the filter in my tank.

I brought them home submerged in dechlorinated water after they were squeezed out in the shop's display tank (that they're tearing down).

I've added three Zebra Danios, transferred from another tank, and will use them to keep the cycle going until I need to use as a QT / Hospital tank.

I'm also going to be using Stability, just in case the beneficial bacteria didn't make it. I'll also dose with Prime if required.

So, here's what I have at the moment...




Oh, as you can see, I also managed to source a drip tray that fits the tank perfectly. I only had to cut out a small slot at the back to allow for the light fitting.

Can't believe I only started this project on Monday, and it's not even the weekend yet!

Next step is to ensure that the tank is definitely cycled, then it will be time for new fish... ️

 

Only thing with gravel in a hospital tank is after you treat the fish you have to tear down the tank and really give everything a good cleaning/sterilization.

 

Only thing with gravel in a hospital tank is after you treat the fish you have to tear down the tank and really give everything a good cleaning/sterilization.

Well I guess that would depend on what medication you were using and how you were treating, but I take your point.

I've certainly used medications before in my display tanks without the need to tear them down afterwards!

Anyway, the primary aI'm is to use this as a QT tank before transferring stock into my display tanks. ️

 

I was thinking more like treating ich or worms, that sort of thing. As a qt tank gravel would be fine I would give it a really good gravel vac between batches of fish incase of stragglig nasties.

 

I was thinking more like treating ich or worms, that sort of thing. As a qt tank gravel would be fine I would give it a really good gravel vac between batches of fish incase of stragglig nasties.

Definitely! Will probably end up doing 100% water change between batches of fish, so that makes it easy to remove the gravel and give it a good clean in boiling water before replacing! I've also got my original filter sponges running in another tank, so I'll also swap them over to maintain my cycle at the same time! ️

 

Okay, so I thought I'd upload a couple of s of the first new inhabitants of the QT tank.

I had 3 x Zebra Danios keeping the tank cycled, so what have replaced them?

Well, another trio of Zebra Danios of course!







I love these little guys. ️

 

So I've added some more inhabitants to the tank.

Well, okay, they're not fishy, but rather flora in makeup.

Those who've followed one of my other build threads already know that I've started to quarantine my plants, in the hope of removing snails before they make it into my display tanks.

I usually do this in a large bucket, but didn't see why I shouldn't utilise the QT tank for the same purpose.




My thoughts are that they'll make the fish more relaxed, will help soak up nitrates, and any snails released can only help bolster the beneficial bacteria colony.

For the record, there are 5 x pots of mixed Cryptocoryne, 10 x strands of Hornwort, and 10 x Marimo Moss balls. ️

 

Well, this is quite perplexing...

As you know, I kick started the cycle in my QT tank by using sponges donated by my friendly LFS. Just in case I managed to kill the BB on the sponges when I transported them home, I also used Stability for the first fortnight.

That was a few weeks ago, and everything has seemingly been going fine.

Ammonia and Nitrite have both been zero, while Nitrates have been steadily climbing. Starting out at 0ppm, then 15ppm on week 1, 25ppm on week 2 etc… Since then, I've been carrying out 50% weekly water changes.

There have been three Zebra Danios in the tank since I installed the sponges.

We're now into the fourth week, and before doing a 50% water change, I did a routine check on parameters, and was horrified to see that I had 2ppm Nitrite in the tank, and my Nitrates were above 100ppm! Ammonia remains at 0ppm.

Obviously, I've done a very large water change, and have dosed with Prime to neutralise the Nitrite, and will continue to do so until it is reading 0ppm again.

My question is, how has this happened? How have Nitrites suddenly popped up in the tank? I'm at a complete loss!

 

That is a good one. I would only expect something like that if you had a dead decaying fish in there.

 

That is a good one. I would only expect something like that if you had a dead decaying fish in there.

Yeah, me too!

Obviously there's nothing decaying in there. There doesn't even seem to be any snails come in on the new plants I put in there that could have died.

Guess I'll just chalk it down to one of those mysterious things that can happen in this hobby!

 

If it would of been soon after a water change it could of been a chlorine spike.

 

If it would of been soon after a water change it could of been a chlorine spike.

Well, I always treat my water with Prime before a water change, but in any case, I did the test before changing any water.

 

I know that's what has me stumped.

 

Did someone feed them for you?

 

Did someone feed them for you?

Nope. Just been feeding them a pinch of flake a couple of times a day like usual. I did give them some bloodworm a couple of weeks ago but I watched them get hoovered up in double quick time!

I'm wondering if there wasn't enough bioload in the tank to sustain the BB and it died off, hence instigating a new cycle? Although I'd expect to see ammonia readings if that was the case!

 

Could of been a hick up.

 

Could of been a hick up.

Yeah, just one of those things I guess.

Will keep monitoring, up the water change schedule and treat with Prime every 24 hours to keep the fish safe.

 

Okay, so I've done 2 x 75% water changes in the last two days and Nitrates are now under control at under 20 ppm. Nitrite is still detectable though, although is down to under 0.25 ppm.

There is still no Ammonia though, so I'm still at a complete loss about how the Nitrites are being generated.

I've been dosing with Stability (and Prime) but am considering adding a dose of TSS, just so I know there are some Nitrite eating bacteria in the tank!

Any thoughts?

 

You may have plenty of ammonia eaters and are waiting on the nitrite guys to catch up.

 

You may have plenty of ammonia eaters and are waiting on the nitrite guys to catch up.

But where did the Nitrite eating guys go?

I started with 0 Nitrate in this tank, and it built up steadily to 25 ppm over three weeks. That's usually an indication of the Nitrite eating bacteria doing its stuff. Then week 4 and I have 2 ppm Nitrite! It doesn't make any sense!

 

No it doesn't...

 

No it doesn't...

Well, I've just this minute added a bottle of TSS - after shaking the living daylights out of it - in the hope it will introduce some Nitrite eating bacteria.

It can't hurt I guess!

I'll forgo the water change tomorrow and report back with parameters at the weekend.

Wish me luck! ️

 

Okay, I think we're back on track.

Nitrite is down to somewhere just above 0ppm but definitely lower than 0.25ppm - I think.

The TSS definitely did a very good job of introducing some Nitrite munching bacteria as Nitrates have shot up to nearly 80ppm in just three days.

Thought I'd have a moan about the API test kit as I've been using it quite often recently! It may be more accurate than test strips but I find it so difficult to judge the colours sometimes. Anyone else have the same problem?

Anyway, I shall resume water changes tomorrow... ️

 

Yep, hate judging the colors, and shaking the nitrate...

 

Yep, hate judging the colors, and shaking the nitrate...

Oh gosh, don't get me started on shaking the Nitrate bottles! I think I've developed "nitrate elbow" since getting back into the hobby this year! lol ️

 

Woohoo! I finally seem to have my cycle back.

Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 20-40

Still not sure what happened to make the tank lose the cycle but it's great to be back at zero Nitrites.

I can finally look into getting more fish for my display tanks!

 

Great! So what’s the next fish?

 

Great! So what’s the next fish?

Thanks Angel!

Over on my 30 gallon bedroom build thread I'm considering Galaxy Rasboras, or some other sort of nano species that will be compatible with my Red Cherry Shrimp! Any thoughts would be most welcome!

My 30 gallon Bedroom Build

 

Right, I have some new additions to the QT tank. Not fish unfortunately, but snails, Assassin Snails to be precise...




Got a group of five to eventually police my 30 gallon bedroom tank which is currently becoming overrun with Bladder Snails.

Yeah, I know they don't really need to be quarantined but I wanted to make sure they were all alive before putting them in the 30g.

Thankfully all are currently picking apart a couple of shrimp pellets! ️

 

Okay, so this happened...




Yep, that's a Zebra Danio on an adventure in my water change barrel after being sucked up the hose during a water change!

Good job I spotted him as his next journey would have included a trip down the toilet bowl!

Thankfully he doesn't seem any the worse for wear after his trip.

Guess I need to fit some sort of strainer to my water change hose for future water changes...

 

Just thought I'd post a picture of the QT tank as it's looking a bit like a jungle at the moment!




Since I've had quite good success growing Cryptocoryne in my 30 gallon bedroom tank, I thought I'd try them in my living room tanks.

I'm just storing them here until I have time to re-scape the other tanks.

The Zebra Danios seem to be enjoying the greenery though!

 

Woohoo! I've finally got new fish!

So, what did I get?

I've wanted some nano fish for my 30 gallon bedroom tank that has a thriving Red Cherry Shrimp colony, and had been looking for some Galaxy Rasboras.
My 30 gallon Bedroom Build

However, I've only seen them online, and they're very expensive, especially when you add in shipping costs.

So, instead, I was delighted to see some of these at my LFS...




They're Ember Tetras and fit the bill perfectly, attaining a maximum size of just over an inch.

I've got 13 of the little beauties currently exploring the QT tank, and the previous occupants have been moved to my 40 gallon tank.
My 40 gallon Living Room Build

I can't wait to get them in their intended tank as they school / shoal really tightly and will look great, especially when I double their number! ️

 

That cycle bump could've been some type of instance where they flushed your pipes with extra chlorine, & you just added the regular dose of prime, which didn't get it all.

So, after a ten year break from the hobby, earlier this year I set up 30g, 40 gallon and 55 gallon aquariums - who said that there was no such thing as MTS?

So far I've been lucky with stocking, which may have something to do with me using the same LFS for all of my fishy friends. I've built up a friendly relationship with the team who run the shop and I trust them when they tell me that their stock is quarantined in medicated tanks for a fortnight before being put on sale. I've never had a problem!

However, as I'd like to increase the selection of fish available to me, I'll have to start looking further afield, which means I can't be as trustworthy.

So, the time has come to set up another aquarium - for quarantining of new purchases and hospital duties should my existing stock become ill.

Here's what I'm working with...

View attachment 348008

It's a 24x12x13 glass tank which holds about 15 gallon / 60 litre of water. It was actually the first ever aquarium I purchased back in 1992, and has been home to many happy fish. As you can see, it's looking a bit worse for wear at the moment, and has been in storage for the last 15 years. I'm not even sure if it still holds water.

Anyway, the plan is to clean it up, paint the sides and back, remove the gravel, install a sponge filter and small heater and fashion some sort of drip tray from acrylic. I'm not sure about lighting yet.

Hopefully it will be up and running in a couple of months and I can go on the hunt for more fish. I'll document my progress here.

Wish me luck...

Lol... "who said that there was no such thing as ?" No one on fishlore!! That's for sure Lol!

Love the ember tetras, btw. They are beautiful!! Very exciting