Quarantine Tank Filter

Hi, Over the next 2 weeks, I'm planning to transfer the fish and snails I currently have to my new tank ( currently using to quarantine the new fish) I then want to turn the old tank into a quarantine tank. I have been reading that people either take media from the quarantine tank and add to the main tank filter or add the filter to the main tank until a quarantine tank is needed. My question is- if I have to pull the filter or media for a quarantine tank, won't that compromise the cycle on my main tank? What do most people do?

 

I run 2 filters in all my tanks.

or you can split the media between the two tanks.

 

So if you have to move one of your filters to the quarantine tank, that doesn't affect the tank you took it from?

 

i've only bought 1 new fish so far (2 weeks ago), and no problems.

 

So if you have to move one of your filters to the quarantine tank, that doesn't affect the tank you took it from?

Quarantine bio media kept in your larger tank's filter and removed when needed will not
pose a danger to your fish. Remember the beneficial bacteria is all over the inside of
your tank, as well as in the filter, so you're taking a relatively small portion of the bacteria.

I used to run the smallest HOB filter (penn plax 10g) I could find and fill it with nothing but bio filter media.
a small bag of ceramic rings and a sponge to hold it down. When I needed the quarantine tank,
I'd take the whole thing off stick it on the quarantine tank. 50% tank water, 50% treated water, then
plug in the filter and the heater.... easy peasy. The fish in the display tank don't miss it.
Let the water drop out of the filter, and you don't need an airstone... but it is noisy.

 

Okay, great! Thank you both so much!!

 

I keep extra media (sponge and ceramic bio rings) in my HOB filter baskets so some can be taken when needed for a new, QT, or hospital tank. Some people run sponge filters in their display tanks for the same purpose. (I'd do this but I really hate the noise from air pumps.)

So if you have to move one of your filters to the quarantine tank, that doesn't affect the tank you took it from?

Maybe, maybe not. It depends on how much media you have and how much you move. After taking some I might skip a day of feeding to temporarily reduce waste then just monitor parameters. I've never encountered a crash from taking seeded media.

I have this air pump driven filter for quick set ups.