Lake Malawi Species • New fish quarantine

[Bamzam]

I'm getting ready to order 16 juvie fish, a mix of star sapphire and auloncara baenschi all 1-2 inches. Is it ok to quarantine that many in a 10 gallon tank for 2 weeks or is that too small of a tank?

[DJRansome]

Too small for 2 inch fish. Are you adding them to an exiting tank with other fish already in residence?

[Bamzam]

Yup I have a 6' 125g with existing residents of the same species. Its my only option other than putting them directly in the tank. Usually the vendor says 1-2", but in my experience theyre usually all 1". I wouldn't mind doing daily water changes if the water quality was the issue. I just wasn't sure if the space would be too small with no hiding spots that they'd start killing each other or something lol

[DJRansome]

Why not get a 20G long? You might be able to use the same filter/heater. Three weeks for quarantine is more usual.

[Bamzam]

The 10g was already up and running and as a hospital tank and barely fits on the counter in my laundry room. No space for setting up another 20g or larger tank anywhere. So my options are to go directly into main tank, quarantine all 16 in the 10g, or split my order into 2 shipments and quarantine 8 at a time. Any thoughts as the best option?

[DJRansome]

I would choose 8 at a time. That is more expensive than getting the 20G however.

[Bamzam]

Agree but its more about space than cost. Nowhere for me to put a 20g tank anywhere. What would be the max quantity or 1-2" juvies you guys would quarantine for 2-3 weeks in a 10g?

[jcover]

i would honestly just set up a 20g rubbermaid on the floor lol

[Iggy Newcastle]

I've setup a 10 gallon underneath a 125, in the stand. You could do that and run 2) 10s. The tote idea, however, is awesome.

[MagnumPK]

Be careful with the rubbermaid tote... Different (non-aquarium) situation, but I filled a 20g tote with transformer oil one time and the walls of the rubbermaid tote failed. Transformer oil has a similar density (actually less dense) to water so I'd expect a similar outcome. You could brace the tote with cargo straps horizontally around it's perimeter.

[jcover]

For larger totes, I made a simple wood brace to prevent bowing.