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What are the benefits of having a QT, and is it necessary to have one?

By Stan & Debbie Hauter, About.com

Question: What are the benefits of having a QT, and is it necessary to have one?

Answer: There are three main reasons for having a quarantine tank (QT):

  • As a precautionary measure to isolate any new fish you buy for a couple of weeks before introducing it into the main aquarium, to prevent the possible spread of disease.
  • It allows a new fish to settle down, and you can observe it for a few weeks before introducing it into the main aquarium.
  • It provides the optimal place for treating sick, weak or harassed fish you may already have.[/li

Having a QT is not absolutely necessary, but it sure can prevent some headaches in the long run.

For more information about QTs, what they are, how to set one up and use it, read our "Are QTs Really Necessary?" article, and refer to our Quarantining & Using QTs Resources. To learn more about other fish diseases and how to diagnose and treat them, refer to our Fish Disease Resource Index.

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