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STARTING OUT
How do you start? Quite simple. You will be setting up your tank the same way you'd set up
any tank, with the exception of painting the OUTSIDE bottom of the tank black or in some
way blocking the bottom of the tank (note that NO substrate is used in the quarantine tank,
hence the need to black out the bottom). This will give the fish the illusion of a solid bottom,
and place them more at ease (with fish, as with humans, psychological well-being goes a
long way to aiding with physiological well-being).
Next, place the tank on a nice sturdy, level surface (a stand made for this purpose, preferably), and fill it with 10 gallons of water from your already established aquarium. Add the
heater, PVC pipe pieces, a small amount (a handful is usually good) of crushed oyster shell
or calcareous gravel in a mesh bag (to provide some buffering) and the biologically active
sponge filter, and...VOILA!...a quarantine tank is born!
"Hey!", you might say, "Where do I get a biologically active sponge filter?" There are several options here. Perhaps your local dealer can sell you an active sponge filter. (A note to
dealers here: since it is a good idea to have auxiliary aeration in your systems, in any event,
why not utilize sponge filters? This way, when your customer needs an active sponge filter,
you have plenty on hand to sell). Failing this, perhaps a fellow hobbyist can help you out.
However, the easiest thing to do, in my opinion, is to always have a sponge filter on hand.
This is easily accomplished by placing a working sponge filter (or two) in your sump or
directly in your tank (hidden behind some decorations so that it is not visible when viewing
the tank). After 4 to 6 weeks you will have an active sponge filter! After the quarantine period is over, all you need do is remove the sponge filter from the quarantine tank, rinse it
under hot water, and place it back into your tank/sump for bacterial re-colonization. Really,
what could be simpler?
O.K., now the tank is up and running. All environmental parameters check out (so far).
What next? You'll want to add the fish, of course. Follow whatever acclimation procedures
you normally follow (which, in my case, consists of netting the fish from the bag to the tank
while yelling "ACCLIMATE!"). NEVER dump bag water into your quarantine or main
tank. Always net the fish from the bag. Allow the fish 24 hours to settle in before starting
treatment.