Setting Up an Aquarium Quarantine Box

aquarium quarantine box

If you’re in the process of acquiring a new fish, setting up an aquarium quarantine box is a wise idea. The box will be a safe haven for your new fish while they acclimate to their new environment. After they’ve settled in the quarantine tank, you can treat them with external anti-parasitic medications, such as PraziPro or ParaGuard. Make sure to follow the instructions for each medication and perform the water changes recommended on the product’s label. Remember to not over-treat fish with any medications, especially if they are already weak or sick. Using the wrong medication could result in death for weak and sick fish.

The clear acrylic Aquarium quarantine box is designed for a wide range of purposes, from isolating aggressive fish to acclimating young fish. The box can be divided into two sections for easy access to the fish. The top cover can be opened or closed, and can serve as a trap door. A suction cup mount is included, so it’s easy to hang it anywhere in the aquarium. A hinged lid allows you to release the fish quickly.

A proper aquarium quarantine box should be completely separate from the main aquarium. If you use a tank divider or breeder box, the tank won’t be sufficiently separate. The water should be cycled and filtered properly. You should also purchase supplies for performing water changes in the quarantine tank. During this time, the new fish will need to stay in quarantine for two to three weeks. Regardless of whether you keep your new fish in a breeder tank or quarantine box, you should always perform periodic water changes in the quarantine tank.

While setting up an aquarium quarantine box, remember to include a spare sponge filter. You can use the sponge filter or hang-on-back filter to cycle the quarantine tank. These extra filters will bring over beneficial bacteria to the quarantine tank. They will help cleanse the water and prevent the introduction of pathogens to the new fish. And after the quarantine tank has been successfully cycled, you can put your new fish back in the main aquarium.

Aside from maintaining the water quality in the quarantine tank, it’s important to ensure that the fish are receiving proper treatment as well. Regular water changes are necessary to get rid of wastes and increase gas exchange in the tank. You should change the water frequently in the quarantine tank, depending on the number of fish and the type of diseases and parasites. After each use of the quarantine tank, disinfect the tank thoroughly using a solution of 2-5% bleach and water conditioner.

Setting up a quarantine tank is relatively easy, provided that you have the correct equipment and medications. If you have multiple fish, a 20 or 29-gallon aquarium will suffice. A 10 gallon tank is also acceptable for schooling fish and betta. If you only have a few fish, a 10-gallon quarantine tank will suffice. Depending on the type of fish you’re attempting to quarantine, the size will depend on how much room you have.