How to setup a hospital or quarantine tank?

[skytan]

One of the tetra in my old tank which I am going to decomm seems to have dropsy.

So I dun intend to migrate it to a new tank until its better.

I was wondering I could setup so I probably need so help on what's the basic stuff which I will be needing

Thanks a lot.

[Emperios]

Dropsy need medication for the fish right? I have read that you will need to use another tank to contain the sick fish. Best is using the water from the aquarium itself, add in acceptable dosage of the medication and let it heal.
Not sure if it's the right procedure though =X
Good luck!

[Urban Aquaria]

You could setup a hospital/quarantine tank for a small fish with just a 10-20 litre tank, even a plastic tank or large plastic container can also be used (some people even just use a bucket, but it's difficult to observe the fish's condition only by viewing it from the top).

Its basically like setting up and maintaining a small aquarium. Best to have a mature sponge or hang-on filter running on it... this filter and everything in the tank must be isolated from your main tank, don't share any bio-media or items between those tanks. If possible, use different nets and pincettes too (if have to use, make sure they are disinfected and fully dried out between usage).

No need for substrate, makes things easier to clean, just add some ceramic shrimp tubes or caves for the fish to hide in during treatments (helps reduce stress). Put floating plants or other easy/hardy plants like java moss in the tank (along with a suitable small light set) to manage excess nutrient build-up. All these plants should be considered as disposable too, as they also should not be shifted to other tanks.

[Bern C]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4VM_tiu1Ls

I found a video on the usage of medication, methylene blue. Malachite green should be the same.
XD I think the dip treatment like too stress for tetra. I think it will die from shock and stress 1st. =X

[skytan]

The tetra died this morning , kinda expecting ler thou
I went to buy sponge pump yesterday , dug out a acrylic container and was going to cycle the water abit to the weekend.

So do you guys have quarantine tank up 24/7?

[Bern C]

RIP~
Dropsy is hard to treat. @__@ Last time succeeded treating my betta once but the 2nd time up lorry. If you are going to use medication like methylene blue or malachite green, I don't think need to cycle the tank. The medication will kill all the bacterial and break the cycle. For salt, I don't know. @_@

[Urban Aquaria]

So do you guys have quarantine tank up 24/7?

Yeah, i have a spare tank permanently running with a cycled filter for such purposes, along with lots of hardy java moss and floating plants in it with a regular light schedule. I keep a group of shrimps in it for general cleanup and to maintain a small bio-load even when its not in use.

Those cheap plastic "guppy brand" tanks are perfect for quarantine/hospital setups, they are lightweight and durable so you can wash them easily after treatments, and stack-able so you can store a few of them without taking up much space.

Btw, once you maintain a quarantine tank, then you start to realize you actually have space for more and more small tanks... be careful not to fall into the "multiple tank syndrome".