For a freshwater aquarium a quarantine tank is a good idea although not essential. If you have a saltwater aquarium a quarantine tank is recommended as saltwater fish are more prone to diseases than freshwater fish. However it is still a good idea to maintain a quarantine tank for freshwater aquariums if at all possible to prevent parasites and diseases being introduced into your aquarium.
A quarantine tank is essential for saltwater aquariums as most saltwater fish are caught in the wild and are much more likely to have parasites or diseases than fish that are bred in captivity. They are often transported long distances which also makes them more prone to diseases. In addition medications for fish are often highly poisonous to invertebrates so should never be added directly to your main tank.
A small tank of between ten and twenty gallons will be adequate with the following aquarium accessories
Fill the tank with water from your main tank when you do a partial water change.
You should keep the fish in the quarantine tank for at least two weeks, looking for any signs of parasites or diseases and using the test kit to monitor the water conditions. Any diseases should be treated and the fish kept in the tank for a further two weeks after symptoms subside. If the fish look healthy after this time then it should be safe to add them to the main aquarium.
If any fish in your main aquarium develop disease or parasite symptoms remove them and place in the quarantine tank. They will not need any acclimatising as you used water from the main tank to fill the quarantine tank.
Always have a supply of saltwater available for water changes in emergencies if you have a saltwater tank. Freshly made saltwater should never be used as it can be extremely toxic and it is also difficult to judge the salinity using a hydrometer.
Many freshwater aquarists successfully maintain their tanks without the use of a quarantine tank it is a good idea to always use one when purchasing new fish or treating fish that show signs of diseases. Taking a fish out of the main tank when it first shows signs of disease can be a big help in keeping the other fish healthy. For keepers of saltwater fish a quarantine tank is essential.
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