A hospital tank is like a mini hospital for sick fish. It’s a smaller aquarium where you put fish that are sick or hurt.
This allows you to give them medicine or other treatments without affecting the fish in your main tank. It’s a simple but effective method to take care of your fish.
Let’s dig a bit deeper into this.
Why Do You Need A Hospital Tank?
A ‘Hospital Tank’ is very important to have because when fish get sick, there’s no emergency number to call.
So, you can use a hospital tank to look after them. It’s a lot like a quarantine tank where you place new fish to watch them for a while. But, a hospital tank is only for sick fish.
Not all fish react the same way to medications. Some medicines that cure one fish might harm another.
For instance, a formula called malachite green can help many fish get rid of ich, but it can be fatal for tetras. So, treating sick fish in a separate hospital tank is safer.
Another reason to use a hospital tank is to stop diseases from spreading among other fish.
Some medicines can eliminate good bacteria and make the tank’s natural cleaning system less effective. This can cause new health issues and diseases.
If you treat sick fish in a hospital tank, you can avoid these problems.
How To Set Up A Hospital Tank?
Setting up a hospital tank is simple and inexpensive. All you need is a small fish tank, around 5 to 10 gallons, and a basic sponge filter.
The filter helps to grow good bacteria which is beneficial for the fish. Avoid filters with carbon as they can absorb the medicine you put in the water.
Small tanks are better because they make it easier for you to change the water often, which is necessary when treating sick fish.
A good heating device is also needed, which allows you to control the water temperature. Some diseases, like ich, can be treated faster by increasing the water temperature slightly.
Using bottled bacteria can speed up the initial set up process of your tank.
Avoid using bright lights in your hospital tank because they can make many medicines less effective. Opt for a light bulb with lower wattage.
Adding a few extra airstones will help increase the oxygen levels in the tank. This is important because many medicines can reduce the oxygen levels in the water.
In simple words, setting up a hospital tank requires a small tank, a sponge filter, a heater, dim lights, and extra airstones.
