Setting up a quarantine tank.

Hello, I currently have a 36 gallon freshwater planted aquarium with 5 cardinal tetras, and a bristle nose pleco. I have never used a QT before, but I have decided to set one up. I plan on getting 10-12 more cardinal tetras, so I want to be sure the tank is big enough for them.

I currently have a 3 gallon tall cylinder aquarium (diameter 9 inches, height 1 foot) that I am currently not using.

If this tank is too small, then how big of a tank is required?
What kind of filter is required?
Any DIY advice on making a QT would be greatly appreciated.

If the 3 gallon tall cylinder aquarium is sufficient, then what kind of filter should I use?
If I take a few biomax from my main canister filter, and use water from the main tank, would that sufficiently cycle the aquarium, and would it stay cycled, or would I have to buy a filter with biological filtration?
Once the tank is set up, and the new fish are in there how often should I perform a water change; 25% change once a week as usual, or should I perform changes more frequently than normal?

Ive read to keep them in quarantine for 2 weeks, but I don't really know what to look for when they're in there.



On an unrelated note, if the 3 gallon is too small for a QT, I'm considering getting a betta for the tank. So any advice on setting up a a betta tank would also be appreciated.


Thank you all so much for your help.

 

I think 3 gallon is a lil small for a QT tank. 5 gallon min but a 10 gallon would be better.

I keep sponge filters on all my tanks. when I need to QT I will move one or even two into the QT tank. that should be enough to keep it cycled.

maybe two water changes a week just to keep it extra clean.

I buy cheap decorations just one or two fake plants. that I wouldnt mind throwing away if there is a bad disease. helps make the fish more comfortable. also painting the background and the bottom with spray paint will also help there comfort level.

also like any other tank don't add to many fish at once. is say only 4 cardinals at once. maybe 5 if there very young/small.

as far as betta just no sharp decorations. real floating plants would be nice. make sure its filtered, heated and cycled. you might have to change that water twice a week. most recommend 5 gallon for a betta I think 3 gallon is ok but he can easily get fin rot in a small tank that is not kept clean enough.

 

HI Stone
You're watching for any signs of illness.
Discoloration, being lethargy, flashing, cloudy eyes etc.
There are a slew of things I could list.
Just be sure they act and look right.

 

I agree that three gallons is much too small. I use a 10 gallon, and I would suggest it to you as well. Also, I would add your 10 new tetras in two groups, five at a time. 10 tetras would be a lot to have in a 10 gallon, and also you don't want to overload the bacteria with a much larger bioload.

 

*UPDATE*
So I completely forgot I had an Emperor Bio-Wheel 280 HOB filter. I set up a QT with a 20 gallon plastic storage bin. About 28 hours ago I filled the bin with half tap water, and half established aquarium water. I put about 4 or 5 bio nodes from my main canister filter into the HOB to seed it. I also put a bubbler in there, as well as 2 plastic plants. I am concerned that the HOB is too powerful/ creates too much of a current in the small "tank".

I tested the water in the QT about 24 hours after setting it up and it reads:
Ammonia: .5-1ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate 10-20ppm

I don't really understand the ammonia readings, should they be like that, as the tank cycles?
I was hoping to buy the first 5 tetras on wednesday, but I don't know if that will be possible.

 

setup sounds good.

no you shouldnt have a ammonia reading. that's strange, you don't have ammonia in your tap right?

 

I have always had a mysterious trace ammonia reading in my main aquarium that I have never been able to figure out.
I use Fluval Zeo-Carb (a half ammonia remover/ carbon mix) in my canister filter, while I use carbon pads in the HOB.
I use an API freshwater master test kit, and my ammonia readings have always come out with a slight greenish tint. I've never understood why. The readings for the QT however, come out as a a deeper green with much more ammonia present than the main tank.


*UPDATE*
I just tested my tap water and the reading is the same as the QT. There is definitely ammonia in my tap water. The Zeo-Carb seems to reduce a good amount of it in the main tank, but there are still trace readings (.25ppm or less).

 

Good morning,

Keep in mind that beneficial bacteria is not in the water column itself but attached to all surface areas of the aquarium with the highest concentrations of it being in your filter.

If you can spare any more established filter media to help seed the aquarium, I would add it. Don't remove so much from your main tank that it throws it into a minI cycle with increased ammonia levels.

Too, if you have some ornaments in the established tank that you could add to the Quarantine tank (especially porous ornaments) it will also help.

Seeding:
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...-cycling-with-established-filter-media.66727/

Ken

 

you should test you tap water. nothing but tap water no prime ect... just to see how much is in your tap.

maybe your qt is having more ammonia because it doesn't have as much BB.

 

Good morning,

Keep in mind that beneficial bacteria is not in the water column itself but attached to all surface areas of the aquarium with the highest concentrations of it being in your filter.

If you can spare any more established filter media to help seed the aquarium, I would add it. Don't remove so much from your main tank that it throws it into a minI cycle with increased ammonia levels.

Too, if you have some ornaments in the established tank that you could add to the Quarantine tank (especially porous ornaments) it will also help.

Seeding:
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...-cycling-with-established-filter-media.66727/

Ken

The only ornaments I have in my main aquarium is a rock (which doesn't seem very porous at all), and some drift wood.
Should I add driftwood to the QT?

 

Hello,

It wouldn't hurt to add the driftwood.

You can also take some substrate and add it to a mesh filter media bag and place it in the Quarantine tank. (substrate...gravel, rock)

Ken

 

Ok, I just added 2 pieces of driftwood to the QT. I also added about 15 more bio nodes from the canister filter.

What should I do about this ammonia problem in my tap, and both my tanks?

 

A well established aquarium should be able to process .25 ammonia level within 24 hours.

Using Prime or Amqeul + to detox the ammonia for 24 hours will help and keep your fish safe.

I would also recommend that you add more filter media if possible, biomax, sponges, whatever will fit. If you do not have room in your filter, this media can be hidden within the tank. The more surface area you have in your tank and filter, the more housing for beneficial bacteria.

Ken

 

I just filled up the HOB with as much bio media as it could fit (about 25% of the bio media from the main tank).
I'm afraid of taking too much out of the main tank.
I also plan on adding some mesh bags filled with substrate from the main aquarium.


** I replaced some of the bio max I removed from the canister filter with fresh unestablished bio max, so it can begin to cycle. I am now out of unestablished bio max.

 

Keep us posted on your progress.

Ken

 

great advice ken.

you should start running a second filter on the main tank. then that should be enough BB so you won't have to move a bunch of stuff. I use sponge filters.

 

My readings continue to puzzle me:

Ammonia: .5-1 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate 20 ppm

I put a bunch of bio max in the HOB, as well as 2 pieces of driftwood, and a mesh bag full of substrate all from the main tank to the QT. The tank has been running for 4 days now and my readings are the same as when I started the tank.

Why aren't my ammonia readings going down?

 

Apparently you just do not have enough bacteria yet, although you would think there would have been. Try to be patient, it has only been 4 days.

 

My QT tank is finally ready!
I have changed my mind on the stocking and plan on having in total 7 cardinal tetras, and 7 other tetras (unknown at this point).
I currently have 5 cardinals and plan on going to the LFS today to get 2 more cardinal tetras.

Would 2 cardinals be alright in QT together?

Does anyone1 have any suggestions for tank mates for the cardinals?

 

well two is not ideal but what can ya do, I'm sure they will be ok.

what do you want to add? you could do one angel, corys and some other schooling fish.

 

An Angel fish would be cool.
So 7 Cardinals, an Angel, and a BN Pleco would be fully stocked for my 36 gallon aquarium right?
Would an Angel fish be aggressive towards my Tetras, or BN Pleco?

 

Your angel may eat eat the cardinals. Some try introducing the two while the angel is still small, in the hopes that the angel learns that cardinals are not food. Cardinals would definitely be a better bet than neons, as they get larger. You could also try a slightly larger fish, like praecox rainbows.

Personally, I don't think you're overstocked, especially in the bottom region. Have you considered something along the lines of a small school of cories?

 

Since this thread has changed to the topic of aquarium stocking, I am closing this thread and combining it with another thread titled Stocking 3 gallon aquarium.