Aquarium Quarantine Tank Calculator
Created by: Ethan Brooks
Last updated:
Calculate quarantine tank requirements for new fish arrivals, sick fish treatment, and disease prevention. Get recommendations for tank size, essential equipment, quarantine duration, and medication protocols.
Aquarium Quarantine Tank Calculator
AquariumCalculate quarantine tank requirements and get treatment protocols for new fish
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What is an Aquarium Quarantine Tank Calculator?
An Aquarium Quarantine Tank Calculator helps you set up an appropriate quarantine system for new fish. It calculates tank size, equipment needs, and provides treatment protocols to protect your main aquarium from diseases and parasites.
Quarantine is one of the most important practices in fishkeeping. Skipping quarantine is the leading cause of disease outbreaks in home aquariums. This calculator ensures you have the right setup for effective quarantine procedures.
Standard Quarantine Protocol
Week 1: Observation only. Watch for signs of disease, stress, or parasites. Feed lightly.
Week 2: If healthy, continue observation. If issues appear, begin appropriate treatment.
Weeks 3-4: Continue observation. Gradually increase feeding. Prepare for transfer.
Transfer: Acclimate slowly to main tank parameters. Net fish - don't transfer quarantine water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a quarantine tank?
Quarantine tanks prevent introducing diseases, parasites, and pests to your main tank. New fish often carry ich, velvet, or internal parasites that may not show symptoms initially. A 2-4 week quarantine period allows observation and preventive treatment before adding fish to your established community.
How big should a quarantine tank be?
Minimum 10 gallons for small fish, 20+ gallons for larger species. The tank should comfortably house the fish during 2-4 weeks of quarantine. Bigger is better for water stability, but smaller tanks are easier to medicate (less medication needed).
What equipment do I need for a quarantine tank?
Essential: heater, sponge filter (seeded from main tank), thermometer, and hiding spots (PVC pipes work well). Optional: bare bottom (easier to clean), dim lighting. Avoid substrate and decorations that absorb medications or are hard to sterilize.
How long should fish be quarantined?
Minimum 2 weeks observation, ideally 4-6 weeks. Some diseases have long incubation periods. Marine fish often require longer (4-8 weeks) due to ich and velvet life cycles. If treating for specific diseases, follow medication protocols.
Should I treat fish prophylactically during quarantine?
Many experienced aquarists do preventive treatments: General Cure for parasites, antibiotics for bacterial issues, and ich treatment. The 'quarantine trio' approach (General Cure, Maracyn, Ich-X used sequentially) is popular. However, healthy-looking fish may only need observation.
Can I use my quarantine tank as a hospital tank?
Yes, quarantine and hospital tanks serve similar purposes. Keep the tank cycled and ready. When treating sick fish, you may need to re-cycle after using medications that kill beneficial bacteria. Having two tanks is ideal for serious hobbyists.
How do I keep a quarantine tank cycled when not in use?
Options: 1) Keep a sponge filter running in your main tank, move it when needed. 2) Add ammonia regularly to maintain bacteria. 3) Keep a few hardy, permanent residents. 4) Accept that you may need to do frequent water changes during use.
Can I quarantine multiple fish together?
Yes, if they're the same species or compatible, from the same source, and the tank is large enough. Be aware that if one fish is sick, all may become infected. For valuable or delicate fish, individual quarantine is safer.
Sources and References
- Humble Fish, "Quarantine Protocols for Marine Fish", 2024
- Aquarium Co-Op, "The Quarantine Trio Method", 2024
- Fish Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment, Edward Noga, 3rd Edition