Don't quarantine tanks need to be the same size?

[six.line]

So let's say I have a 150gallon fish tank with a coupla tangs in there, and one develops ich. I can't exactly have a tiny 20gallon quarantine tank, that'd be cruel to the tangs, right? So do you need a quarantine tank the same size as your display tank?

 

[cato]

No. From what I've read you want at least a 20g. I learned this after I bought and set up a little 10g. Oh well. Still works fine.

 

[six.line]

What about the fish's swimming needs-- is it ok to keep them somewhere small for just a short period of time, then?

 

[RandyP]

No a QT is just that, a temporary home for a new or sick fish...Sure you dont want to place a 6 inch tang in a ten gallon tank so you have to act accordingly but most fish will be fine in a 20-30 gallon tank during the quarantine period....plus by using this size tank if you do have to treat the fish you will save yourself some money on meds

 

[speckled trout]

I have a 42 Hex. that I use. The bigger the better. More stability. Going smaller makes it a little harder to ensure that it doesn't get funky.

 

[Wryknow]

I like my 20 gallon long. It has a decent ampount of linear area for swimming and the water volume is a nice compromise. Remember that you may need to do frequent, large water changes on a QT tank so you don't want something that is too big.

 

[speckled trout]

I've QT'd many fish in my 42g. No problem with changing too much water either. The large water capacity allows you to do less frequesnt water changes. I've qt'd many fish for up to 6 weeks without a water change. Hasn't been a problem and I qt ever fish and every coral.