Tips for Aquarium Owners: Consider a Quarantine Tank

Have you ever visualized the worst thing that could happen to you as conscientious marine aquarists? How about nightmares such as tank wipe out, or the vary least the death of one or more of your prized fish in your aquarium. These and other detrimental consequences can plague any aquarium regardless of your experience in the hobby, plus the percentages of these and other similar situations unfolding are very real, especially among wild caught specimens. The fact that any introduced living animal into your aquarium without preventative measures being addressed, can lead to very serious consequences. A quarantine tank is one such remedy that can prove successful with each and every living animal added to your aquarium, whether it be a marine, African or tropical aquarium.

The introduction of disease, parasites and viruses into your aquarium with each new inhabitant is a very real issue and is similar to playing a game of Russian Roulette with each new animal. Is this something that you want to play and gamble with? Is it worth flushing your hard earned money and time invested into this gratifying hobby to short change the system of quarantining your new livestock? This neglected process can alter your symbiotic and delicate nature of your aquarium in a matter of days...its that simple and serious! To make things worse, even if you knew that your fish was perfectly healthy and disease, parasite and virus free, the chances of the new specimen being susceptible to an onslaught of problems, can occur through the stress and rigor of transport and relocation from pet shop to your tank.

The fact that only about 5% of aquarists maintain a quarantine tank is frightening. The benefits associated with a quarantine tank are numerous. Besides the fact that a quarantine tank is an ideal way of acclimating your new animal while protecting your investment, it is an effective way of helping your new addition regain strength and health before being transported into your main tank. The ability to watch and study the new specimen in a quarantine tank is also very important since you won't be fighting with other livestock and obstructions in the main tank altering your viewing and studying applications. Changes in water chemistry and foods are also able to be adjusted and the acclimation from previous food to your particular foods is also credible with a quarantine tank. Moreover, offering medication to treat the newly introduced specimen at the expense of all the other livestock in your main tank can lead to detrimental consequences and is not worth the risks. A quarantine tank can also be used like a refugium for breeding fish, small fry and livestock that has been harassed in your main tank.

A quarantine tank can be as simple and inexpensive as you want but the results and benefits are priceless. A ten gallon tank with a filtration unit, heater, powerhead and fluorescent hood are really all that is necessary and you have one of the most vital pieces of equipment that you could employ for the health and success of your tank.

The period of time that should be dedicated to quarantining a tank is roughly 2-4 weeks. For the most part copper sulfate is the number one medication for parasitic reduction and elimination with great results. Other beneficial medications such as benzalkonium chloride, erythromycin, gentamycin sulfate, malachite green and methylene blue offer numerous and distinct benefits to living organisms as well. When treatment has terminated, it is best to remove all the water and disinfect the tank and equipment with a clorox bleach solution and water. Once this has been completed it is very important to rinse very well. The drying of the tank and equipment will also kill pathogens so they don't effect future specimens.

The moral to the story is to ensure that your livestock is of optimal health before the introduction into your main tank. Wild caught specimens are the most likely to contact and be plagued with disease, viruses and parasites. The offering of live foods as opposed to frozen and freeze dried can also add to the chances of pathogens being introduced into your water or taking hold of valuable livestock. Purchasing livestock from such viable and trusted organizations such as ORA(oceans, reefs and aquariums) will help to ensure success and health of the specimen you plan on purchasing to add to the beauty of your aquarium.