The reason I push people to always run sponge filters throughout their established aquariums is simple: They are essential for setting up a quarantine tank, or hospital tank. When you get new fish and need a cycled quarantine tank all you need to do is add a sponge filter from an existing tank and boom the new tank is good to go. So before you even learn how to set up a quarantine tank, make sure you are planning ahead!
Now let’s take a look at the super simple steps to setting up your quarantine tank.
What You’ll Need:
- A tank
- A heater
- Prophylactic medication trio
- A cycled sponge filter from an existing tank
- Essentials like water conditioner or your choice of accessories/decorations/substrate
Setting Up The Quarantine Tank
Unless you’re quarantining big fish, a 10 gallon tank will suffice for small to medium sized fish, plus they are cheap.
- Setup your tank just like normal. Add substrate and decorations if you want to, add water conditioner and your heater. Allow your tank temperature to reach the desired number.
- Add your cycled sponge filter
- Introduce the new fish to the tank.
- Lastly, dose your medication trio.
The medication is optional, but if you go that route you can add your new fish to your existing tanks when the treatment is finished. Otherwise, I would recommend quarantining new fish for at least 4 weeks
