Question about Quarantine tank?

[mlovelace]

Hello, I was reading about the quarantine tank and have a couple questions. I read the article posted and I am wondering about the sponge filter to place in the qt. Do you run a regular filter water pump and add the sponge to the back of the water pump/filter (making sure there is no carbon type filtration system) or do you just place the sponge in the tank? I have a bubble diffuser sponge in my dt and was thinking of using it, but will it mess up my main tank? I have just finished cycling my regular tank and haven't added regular fish yet. Do I need to wait a little longer before starting a qt tank? My mag 7 pump has a filter sponge on it (dt), would this be enough good bacteria to put in the 10g quarantine tank? Sorry for the newbie questions, but I am trying to visualize the qt tank. My main dt has two sponges in it and filter. Would either of these three be enough good bacteria to add? I don't want to rob from peter to pay paul if it will mess up the main dt. I am setting this up for potential fish issues (disease) and if needed would use hyposalinity or copper for treatment if ich appears. From what I am reading, ich appears a lot in fish from LFS. Can someone give me a good non-expensive filtration set-up on their 10g quarantine tank?

Thank you, Mike

Thank you, Mike

[leebca]

If you've just begun your display system, then this post covers when to start your sponge filter in the system and when to start up your QT: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

The sponge filter itself is air driven and is like this product (although you can find a few dozen other products just like it): Lustar Hydro-Sponge Filter 1 - Filters - Sponge Filters at BigalsOnline

Just like I did, you can Google for them. This can be placed inside the display tank, out of sight, and running slowly with air going through it. The concept of air-mixed-with water making water less dense than the surrounding water, then drawing water through the sponge is what makes it go. Simple and inexpensive.

If you have a sump, that's the best place for it. If you don't want it in your display tank (like hidden behind some rock or decoration), then you can arrange a hang-on box to run it in.

This sponge filter IS the filter for your QT. Nothing else is to be used. You will keep the water good quality by making regular (every 2-3 days) water changes.

Ask if I haven't been clear of if you still have some unanswered questions. Just be sure to also read that start-up post for when the filter and QT come into play during a marine aquarium setup.

Glad you've thought of this and doing it. If used diligently, it will save you a lot of problems later.