[deiderarogers]

I have a 10g I need to set up for an emergency tank. I have a yellow lab who no longer has a tail and badly damaged fins, I assume from aggression, that I need to remove from my main tank asap before I lose him. Is it ok to take about 5g of water from my main tank and put it into my 10g and fill it up with fresh water (like a water change) and just throw him in there or do I still need to cycle it? Also, is there any recommendation of meds for this type of damage?

Thanks,
Deidera

 

[nelson6972]

filter media from the established tank is more important than water, although the water does help a little.
IME, if the labs fins are damaged from aggression salt & "stress coat" works for me

 

[Exiled]

Most nitrifying bacteria live in the filter media, in the substrate, or to a lesser extent on the rocks and stuff you have in the tank. You'll need to transfer some old filter media from your established tank to the new emergency tank's filter system.
When i nurse an injured fish, I also put Stress Coat in the recovery tank, and I feed them a little more than usual, add some aquarium salts and I also keep it dark in the recovery tank. Good luck to your injured fish! :thumb:

 

[DJRansome]

I like Melafix for fin damage and regrowth. Good advice about the need to cycle and suggestion of using filter media. Also be sure you test the new tank daily because nothing is foolproof and if you start getting an ammonia reading, you can always add another handful of "used" gravel from the main tank.

 

[deiderarogers]

Ok--Thanks you guys. I bought some meds while ago for fin rot to add as well as the salts and water conditioner just in case it's not aggression.

Deidera