wes.crockett

I took (most) of the advice given and set up a, dedicated, 5.5 gallon quarantine tank. It's barebones with a Hygger sponge filter, one fake plant (because I had it...), and some rock substrate from my main tank to help with cycling. Currently acclimating a new Lemon Pleco to replace the one that died. I returned (surrendered... I didn't get a refund or anything) the Chinese Algae Eater who would have become fairly problematic in my tank. I gave the pleco 1/4 of an algae tab for now. How much should I give him per day in quarantine?

I agree, 5 is probably the minimum... but i just bought the 5 gal for quarantine!!!! lol

For sure. I'll get another one. Side note... 2.5g too small for a betta? Saw a koi betta and thought "i need this'

Yeah, there seem to be a few. I haven't been to any of them yet though. There are other bristlenose ones I like more, for sure, so I'll see what they have. I would really prefer a hillstream loach, but I'm not sure my tank could support that.

I just picked up a 5.5gal for $18 at Petco and a lid for $16. I have a Hygger filter on hand and an extra air pump. Just need a light at this point...

When I set it up with fresh water, should I use 1/2 water from a water and 1/2 new water (with dechlorinater and starter) change? I don't have a sponge that is primed from the main tank yet.

I just called the LFS: No guarantee on the fish, so no free Pleco replacement They will take back the CAE Will discount a new pleco to $8 (was $20). All in all, I'll happily take that. A bit frustrating about getting the CAE in the first place, but all good in the end.

Ugh, you're totally right... just watched A Girl Talks Fish's quarantine tank video (I've watched a bunch of her other ones before). I already got the Fluval, so that one will probably end up getting set up for shrimp anyways... Just need to figure out WHERE to put it when I need it... When you set up a quarantine, do you add water from your main tank in there to help kick start? I don't plan to put a second filter in my main tank since it's already so cramped... I could take the filter from my extra filter and just put that somewhere in my tank to build up the right bacterias.

An update.

Hey all, If you read my other thread about my Algae dilemma, you know that I don't have a proper quarantine setup in place. Well, I darted off to Petco to snag a 2.5 or 5.5 gallon Aqueon tank to use, as needed, for quarantine. While there, the rep showed me this setup that was marked down to $25 as it's their last one and they are no longer carrying it. It's a 2.6 gallon Fluval Freshwater Shrimp Kit. It came with everything needed except a heater, which I have an extra one of. Regardless of my plan below (and I'm looking for suggestions on how to best execute this, so please tell me if I'm making any huge mistakes), it's a pretty great pickup for $25. Here is my thinking... Set this up somewhere permanent and put a few Cherry Shrimp and a Mystery Snail in there with some live plants. Then, when getting new fish for my 10 gallon tank, use this one as it's quarantine tank. Any suggestions on how to set up this tank to optimize it? I assume the built in pump/filter is plenty for its size, but any way to make it better?

Originally, he looked fairly plump (round belly) but when i tool him out he was very thin. He was in the main tank. Unfortunately, I don't have the setup to do a full quarantine but I did float them for over an hour and introduce tank water for a while before putting him in... certainly not ideal... In looking at it more, I'm not convinced it was actually a Lemon Pleco as it looks more like an Albino Bristlenose (https://fresno.craigslist.org/grd/d/clovis-albino-bristlenose-pleco/7513406069.html). The LFS opens at noon and I plan to call. I'm not sure if they have a guarantee on their fish or anything but I need to see about returning the Chinese Algae Eater (he's OK right now, but I don't want him getting older and more aggressive in the tank) and see about replacing the pleco. If I get replacement pleco, or if i just go to a different shop and get a Otto or something, I will do a water change in my tank and just leave the water in the bucket and set up my small sponge filter and put the fish in there... I should try to get a 3 gallon tank or something for this....

I have the worst freaking luck... Lol. Pleco is dead 24 hours later. Floated for an hour and introduced tank water 1/2 way through. He was sucking sides of wall and looked fine. Got home this afternoon to it totally lifeless.

I keep looking hoping that maybe they sold me a Siamese Algae Eater, but I don't think that's the case...

Gotta love the LFS for saying it'd be great in there... lol.. I'll monitor it for sure.

Went to the LFS looking for an otto and/or Amano Shrimp. Left with a Lemon Pleco and a Chinese Algae Eater. They are twinsies.

Very helpful. Thanks.

Hey all, I'm working on creating a general regimen for tank maintenance. I have a task for weekly water changes and I created one for performing tests. My question is, simply, when should I do the tests? I assume a few days after a water change so the added water has a chance to cycle... Doing it right before a change seems pointless, but maybe not. Thoughts on this? Thanks!

That's a nice app. I went ahead and DL'ed got it all configured. thanks!

I like that.

This is an epic thread. I learned one major thing here... This isn't a hobby that becomes passive over time. I need to talk to my son (7) to discuss being more regimented about water changes, testing, and observations. Anyone find a nice app for documenting over time?

yeeeaaaahhh... think the garage with a blanket over it would be too obvious? 😄 So take the tank off the stand and inspect? that's a good call. Ultimately, it being only 2ft deep, there are a lot of great options for table-top like stands it could go on. Though it would be about 500 lbs full...

Thanks. That's a great suggestion. I'll need to hide it from my wife for a while first... Yeah, the stand looks beat up a bit... but it also looks fairly easy to work on if I needed to reinforce it. it'll need to be fully sanded and repainted (assuming it's good enough quality to be sanded...) For sure. I'm not sure if they'll take the time to fill it... I may just have to take the risk to fill it at home and hope for the best. I could always re-epoxy/resin the seems if needed.

A LFS is selling this 60 gallon cube setup for $100. This would be my second tank and I love the cubes. It, obviously, needs a bit of cleanup and a new coat of paint on the stand (as well as fixing that door, probably). Any concerns from this photo? They also have this tank new... about $800 for the full setup. Brand is Visio, I think. Would love your input. What should I look at when I go check it out? Any specific questions I should ask?

Totally. I realized that as soon as I started watching YT videos from all the big creators in this space. I'm thinking about ditching the Aqueon (keep it as a spare) and going for the Hygger Sponge because it has the filter media inside and looks SUPER easy to clean since the sponges slide right off w/out even having to take the device itself out. Also, I like the idea of the air pump doing all the mechanical work of the tank.

That rock suggestion is great! Could totally do that where I live really quickly I'll look in to this today! Oh nice. good call