Do you quarantine?

Jayy

I keep small fish, soo 10gal is fine for me. Good point on the meds, I'll go fake for the QT tank.

Adamson

I keep additional filters on my main tanks so I can move one to my hospital when I get new fish or need to medicate one.

Geomancer

Well... reading comments here are some things to consider.

1) In regards to substrate and bacteria ... you won't have any (much). You will likely not quarantine fish long enough for any substrate to get colonized by the beneficial bacteria (This takes 4-8 weeks remember). When not in use, the QT will be empty and cleaned. Any bacteria gained will be lost. Cleaning the tank after use, particularly if medications were used, will be much more difficult with substrate.

2) Plants. If you have a main display tank with plants ... you already have a source of them, so taking cuttings and putting them in the QT isn't going to cost you anything, and if meds need to be used and they affect the plants no big deal, you just toss them in the trash when done.

In addition, floating and stem plants, which are the fast growing types and thus remove the most ammonia, don't need a substrate. You can use plant weights to keep stem plants upright and prevent them from floating around if you like.

3) The most important thing about a QT tank is filtration. Since it sits empty there is no bacteria at all, you really need to avoid the ammonia/nitrite spikes as much as possible as with any new tank. Seeding from an established tank is a must. In another thread it was discussed that you should keep a sponge filter within the main tank (dosen't have to be running) at all times so that it is fully colonized and ready to go in a QT. You can use other filter media as well if you use a different filter on the QT. If medications are required in the QT, deep clean the filter media or dispose of it then place it in the main tank to be re-colonized (remember, it will take a couple weeks to recolonize).

If no meds are needed in the QT, you can just move the filter media right back into the main tank so it is ready to go for the next time.

Live plants, of course, also help particularly fast growing types.

jeaninel

Yes, I always QT new fish for at least 3-4 weeks. I've kept fish for over 15 years and had always just added new fish right to my tank. But I started QTing a few years ago when I had some Congo Tetra bring in columnaris and I lost 2 Congos and some of the other fish got sick but recovered. It's much easier to catch any potential problems and treat it in a smaller tank rather than in your larger display, especially if you have to treat with an antibiotic... which can get kind of expensive to treat a large tank.

onefish2fish

substrate may make cleaning poop up more difficult and some diseases may have an easier time reproducing in them. go bare bottom in a QT / hospital tank. this will also make any un-eaten food easier to siphon out. which a QT is a perfect time to watch eating patterns, visible health and appearances ( how does it swim, how does it eat, lathargic, swimming sideways and so on.. )
try using a few joint pieces of PVC in your QT. the are very easy to clean if need be but provide good cover for stressed fish. buy an extra net or two strickly for QT use, always make sure to use this net on this tank only. it may also be a good idea to buy some clear tubing at the hardware store while getting a few pieces of PVC to use as your siphon to use only for your QT. this is to help prevent any cross contaminations ( sp? )
a small hang on filter or sponge filter thats been seeded from the display is the way to go. a few fake plastic plants wouldnt hurt but real ones may be killed from certain medicines. a heater dedicated to the QT is another must.
i would suggest using the QT for at minimum a month but more like 2+ months to be completely effective. i know for saltwater disease can come in undetected on fish gills and not show up for atleast a few weeks. i dont see why that couldnt also apply to a freshwater fish. i suppose this can also depend species and where it was located from( the local breeder prob. wont have [m]any fish diseases compared to a wild caught specimen from across the globe, and i still would QT either way )

magpie

Thanks for the input, all!

Termato

Yea I was just doing some more research about the substrate and i now agree I think it is best to go with out substrate for quarantine.

Jayy

Ok, for a QT tank, no substrate or real plants and a very good filter.