Proper quarantine prevents 95% of disease outbreaks - here's the protocol. QT setup: 20-29 gallon bare-bottom tank. Mature sponge filter (run in display 4+ weeks before stocking QT, or seed with established media). Adjustable 100W heater. Dim light. PVC pipe + ceramic flowerpots for hiding. No live rock, no plants, no substrate (medications + cleaning). Test kit on hand. Saltwater protocol (recommended): Day 1 = acclimate fish, dose Prazi (PraziPro) once. Day 1-2 = ramp copper to therapeutic 2.0 ppm Cu (use Cupramine or Copper Power, monitored with Hanna or Salifert Cu test kit). Day 14 = second Prazi dose. Day 14-16 = drawdown copper with Cuprisorb or carbon. Day 30 = if fish symptom-free for 7+ days, transfer to display. Freshwater protocol: Day 1-7 = API General Cure (prazi + metronidazole) for flukes + internal parasites. Day 8-14 = continue observation. Day 15 = Maracyn 2 if any bacterial signs. Day 28 = if clear, move to display. Tank Transfer Method (TTM, ich-only): 4 transfers between 2 sterile tanks every 72 hours. Breaks ich life cycle without copper. Why most people skip QT: takes time, costs ~$200 setup. Cost of skipping: tank-wide ich/velvet outbreak that kills 30-80% of stock. Use our QT timeline calculator to plan dates.
The full Q&A library answers the most-searched aquarium questions. Browse calculators, glossary, and disease database for related help.
Whatever specific topic brought you here, four fundamentals govern long-term aquarium success: water quality, parameter stability, biological filtration, and species-appropriate husbandry. Skip any one and the others struggle to compensate.
Water quality: ammonia + nitrite at zero, nitrate under 30 ppm freshwater + 10 ppm reef. Test weekly with API or Salifert kits. Use our water parameter checker to score your readings against your tank type.
Parameter stability: stable wrong parameters beat fluctuating ideal parameters. Most fish tolerate a wide pH range if it's stable. Sudden swings of 0.4+ pH or 5+°F kill fish faster than chronic suboptimal values. Use temperature controllers (Inkbird) + automated dosing for consistency.
Biological filtration: the bacterial colony on your filter media + rock + substrate is the engine. Never replace all media at once. Use our filter turnover calculator to size correctly.
Species-appropriate husbandry: research adult size, territoriality, diet, and tankmate compatibility before purchase. Use our tank stocking calculator + compatibility guides.
How long does an aquarium take to set up? 4-6 weeks for full cycling + first stocking. Use our cycle ETA calculator + how long does cycling take.
What's the best aquarium for beginners? 20-gallon long. Big enough for parameter stability, small enough for budget + space. See beginner picks.
How often should I do water changes? 25-30% weekly. See water change frequency Q&A + water change calculator.
Why does my fish keep dying? 5 leading causes: uncycled tank, wrong species pairings, no quarantine, undersized tank, neglected water-change schedule. See full diagnosis.
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