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Both Aquarium
Quarantine Tank
A separate, sparse tank for isolating new arrivals and treating sick fish - the single most important disease-prevention practice in the hobby.
Difficulty: Beginner
Tank Size: 10g+ Recommended: 20g Budget: $80-$300
📖 Overview
The most valuable piece of aquarium equipment isn't a filter or LED - it's the quarantine tank. Every new fish should spend 4-6 weeks in QT before joining the display, allowing latent parasites and pathogens to emerge and be treated. Sick fish from the display can be pulled to QT for individualized treatment without medicating the main tank. Most established aquarists cite QT as the difference between years of trouble and years of stability.
💧 Essential Parameters
Match the source tank parameters closely. Cycle before use, or use seasoned filter media.
⚙️ Key Equipment
10-20 gallon bare-bottom tank. Sponge filter with cycled media. Heater. Minimal decor (PVC pipes for hiding). NO substrate (easier to observe waste, clean, dose meds).