How to Build a Holding Tank for Fish

There are several occasions that may require you to temporarily isolate fish. A holding tank may come in handy if you have a sick or injured fish you need to quarantine, or baby fish that may be in danger of being eaten by adult fish. A holding tank is relatively easy to make and requires only a few simple items that are readily available at most pet shops.

Things You'll Need

  • Glass tank, 10 or more gallons
  • Dechlorinator
  • Air pump
  • Plastic air tubing
  • Air stone
  • Filter
  • Aquarium heater
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Instructions

  1. Making a Holding Tank

    • 1

      Fill the glass tank with water and add the proper amount of dechlorinator according to the product packaging. This will remove chlorine and other harmful chemicals from the tank.

    • 2

      Connect the air pump's output--the small pipe where air is expelled when the pump is turned on--to the air stone using the plastic air tubing. Place the air stone in the water. Upon turning on the air pump, it should begin to fizz, providing extra amounts of oxygen to the water that could be beneficial to sick or wounded fish.

    • 3

      Attach the filter to the tank and turn it on. Consult your filter's instruction manual for installation instructions specific to your model.

    • 4

      Insert the aquarium heater into the tank and plug it into a power outlet, allowing the water to heat up. Heating the water is an important component of alleviating many fish conditions, particularly ich, a very common ailment.