What is a quarantine aquarium for?

A quarantine aquarium is essential to prevent disease outbreaks in tropical fish. If it is present, it can be treated with chemicals that cannot be used in community tanks, or transplant infectious fish. It is recommended to keep new fish in a quarantine aquarium for 2 weeks, during this period the concealment of the disease may appear.

Step #1. Acquisition of a tank

Purchase a tank, it should not be expensive and beautiful, as it performs an exclusively utilitarian function. The volume depends on the size of your pets, for example, for fish up to 10 cm in size, 20 liters is enough. Purchase a filter, aerator and heater. In most cases, use a filter that does only physical cleaning.

Step #2: Preparing the Tank

A quarantine aquarium does not use a substrate, but to avoid causing unnecessary discomfort to the fish, paint the outside of the bottom a dark color or place it on a dark base such as a black piece of paper. Wash only with hot water without detergents. Important – there should not be any plants, a maximum of artificial ones.

Step #3 Place the Filter

The effectiveness of a quarantine aquarium largely depends on the operation of the equipment, in particular the filter. During its operation, the filter, biological processes take place in it – the captured particles of debris, organic residues become the basis for the development of a colony of bacteria, which also contribute to water purification. In a small tank this is essential.

If the tank is planned for quarantine of new fish, then fill it up 2 weeks before buying the fish, add some food, it will be filtered and help the nitrogen cycle. Now the fish can be launched.

If there was an outbreak of diseases, then there is no time for the course of all processes. Use water from the main aquarium, for example, filling the quarantine tank to 1/3 of the volume. In this case, all water parameters will be saved (hardness, pH level, temperature), and the fish will not feel any changes.

Step #4 Fish acclimatization

After buying a new fish in a quarantine tank, you should acclimatize, as the water in the store and yours may differ significantly. If the fish is immediately launched into a new environment, shock may occur and, as a result, death. More about acclimatization is written in the article “Launching fish in an aquarium”.

Step #5 Observation

Observe new pets for 2 weeks. During this time, signs of illness may appear, if they are not there, feel free to launch them into the main aquarium. During the quarantine period, feed as usual, recommended for this species.

Step number 6. In case of fish disease

In case of illness, the quarantine aquarium allows safe treatment. It is necessary to diagnose the disease and select methods of treatment (see section Fish diseases), after recovery, the fish should be kept separately for another week, in case of a relapse.

Step #7: Reacclimatization

When you are satisfied with the condition of your fish, it is time to return your pet to the main tank. However, during treatment, the composition of the water could change dramatically and a simple transplant can lead to a state of shock. It is required to acclimatize the fish again.

The best way is to drain the water from the quarantine aquarium by 2/3 and gradually add a new one from the main aquarium, for example, one glass per hour, you should not rush. In this way, double the water in the quarantine aquarium and now replant the pet.

Step #8 Storage

When the tank is not in demand, wash it with hot water, process the equipment. After drying, put all the equipment back and bury the tank to protect it from dust.