Pendahuluan

One sick fish atau pest-infested plant dapat wipe out your entire 6-month-old established aquascape dalam 1 minggu. Ich outbreak, velvet disease, atau planaria infestation bisa membunuh semua livestock dan destroy tank yang sudah kamu build dengan susah payah.

Quarantine adalah insurance policy untuk aquascape kamu—Rp 300-500k setup cost vs Rp 2-3 juta tank loss dari disease outbreak. Golden Rule: ALWAYS quarantine new livestock/plants for 2-4 weeks before adding to display tank.

Artikel ini akan membahas setup quarantine tank, prosedur lengkap untuk ikan (2-4 minggu), udang (2-3 minggu), dan tanaman (2-3 minggu dengan bleach dip), plus troubleshooting dan real cost analysis. Prevention is always cheaper than cure—invest 2-4 minggu patience untuk years of problem-free aquascaping.

Why Quarantine Matters

Diseases (Asymptomatic Carriers)

Common Fish Diseases:

  • Ich/White Spot (common in newly shipped fish, stress-triggered)
  • Velvet disease (gold dust on fish, highly contagious, deadly)
  • Fungal infections (white cotton-like on body)
  • Bacterial infections (fin rot, body ulcers)
  • Internal parasites (worms, not visible externally)

Asymptomatic Carriers:

  • Fish looks healthy tapi carries parasites
  • Gejala muncul 3-14 hari setelah stress (transport, parameter change)
  • Jika langsung masuk main tank → spreads to established livestock

Real Example: Kamu beli 10 neon tetra, terlihat sehat di toko. Day 5 di main tank, white spots muncul (ich). Day 7, semua ikan di tank infected. Day 10, 50% mortality. Total loss: Rp 500k-1jt fish + Rp 200-300k medications.

Pests (Hitchhikers)

Common Pests on Plants:

  • Snails (pond snails, ramshorn hitchhiking on leaves)
  • Planaria (eggs on plant roots, invisible)
  • Hydra (small white polyps, sting shrimp)
  • Dragonfly larvae (hide in plants, eat small fish/shrimp)
  • Algae spores (BBA, hair algae)

Real Example: Kamu beli 1 pot Monte Carlo, tidak quarantine. Week 2, ada 20 pond snails di kaca. Week 4, 100+ snails. Week 8, snails eating carpet plants. Solution: 2 bulan eradication dengan assassin snails. Time + effort + frustration.

Plants (Pesticides & Disease)

Pesticide Residue:

  • Most farm plants have pesticide (kill pests during growing)
  • Lethal to shrimp dalam minutes (copper-based pesticides)
  • Symptoms: Shrimp swimming erratically, dying within hours

Diseased Plants:

  • Melting, rotting leaves
  • Pollute main tank (ammonia spike)
  • Spread disease to healthy plants

Real Example: Kamu beli Rotala dari farm, langsung tanam di shrimp tank. 2 jam kemudian, 20 cherry shrimp mati. Cause: Pesticide residue. Loss: Rp 200-400k shrimp + emotional damage.

Real Cost of Skipping Quarantine

Disease Outbreak:

  • Fish losses: Rp 500k-1jt
  • Medications: Rp 200-300k
  • Time: 2-4 minggu treatment + stress

Pest Infestation:

  • Eradication: 3-6 bulan (assassin snails, manual removal)
  • Effort: Daily maintenance, traps, monitoring
  • Frustration: Watching pests multiply

Worst Case (Tank Breakdown):

  • Total loss: Rp 2-5jt (livestock, plants, time invested)
  • Restart from zero: 6-12 bulan untuk rebuild

“2-4 weeks patience in quarantine = years of problem-free aquascaping”

Quarantine Tank Setup

Size: 20-30L (enough for 5-10 small fish or 50+ shrimp)

Equipment Needed:

ItemPurposePrice
Small tank/plastic tubHousingRp 50-100k
Sponge filterGentle filtration, shrimp-safeRp 30-60k
Air pumpPower sponge filterRp 50-100k
Heater 50WMaintain 24-26°CRp 80-150k
Basic LED clip lightObserve fish, light for plantsRp 50-100k
ThermometerMonitor temperatureRp 10-20k
TotalOne-time investmentRp 300-500k

NO Substrate: Bare bottom easier to observe/clean (see poop, uneaten food, parasites)

NO Decorations: Except 1-2 PVC pipes for fish hiding spots (easy to remove/clean)

Cycling:

  • Option A: Run sponge filter in main tank for 2-4 weeks before use (colonize beneficial bacteria)
  • Option B: Move mature sponge from main tank to QT when needed (instant cycle)
  • Option C: Use Seachem Stability or similar bacteria supplement (speed up cycle)

Pros:

  • ✅ Permanent solution (reuse forever)
  • ✅ Full control (parameters, treatment)
  • ✅ Can treat multiple fish/shrimp batches
  • ✅ Safest for main tank (complete isolation)

Cons:

  • ❌ Upfront cost (Rp 300-500k)
  • ❌ Requires space (20-30L tank)
  • ❌ Maintenance (water changes, monitoring)

Option 2: Breeder Box / Hang-on Isolation Box (Budget)

What: Plastic box that hangs inside main tank (Rp 80-150k)

Pros:

  • ✅ Uses main tank water (no separate heater/filter)
  • ✅ Cheap (Rp 80-150k)
  • ✅ No extra space needed

Cons:

  • ❌ Limited space (10-15 small fish max)
  • ❌ If disease present, can still spread to main tank via shared water
  • ❌ Not true quarantine (same water system)

Use Case:

  • Short-term observation (3-7 days)
  • NOT full quarantine for new arrivals
  • Emergency isolation for sick fish (immediate separation)

Option 3: Temporary Bucket/Container Setup

What: 20L bucket + sponge filter + heater (existing equipment)

Pros:

  • ✅ Cheapest (if you already have spare equipment)
  • ✅ Quick setup (emergency quarantine)

Cons:

  • ❌ No lid (fish can jump)
  • ❌ Not permanent solution
  • ❌ Ugly (not display-worthy)

Use Case:

  • Emergency quarantine (sick fish needs immediate isolation)
  • Temporary holding (waiting for dedicated QT tank)

Fish Quarantine Protocol (2-4 Weeks)

Week 1: Acclimation & Observation

Day 1: Arrival

Step 1: Drip Acclimation (1-2 Hours)

  1. Float bag in QT tank 15 minutes (temperature equalize)
  2. Open bag, roll down sides (create floating cup)
  3. Drip tank water into bag 1 drop/second (use airline tubing with knot for flow control)
  4. Continue until bag volume doubles (1-2 hours)
  5. Net fish into QT tank (don’t add store water—may contain parasites/disease)

Step 2: Optional Preventive Treatment

  • Salt bath: 1 tablespoon per 5L for 15 minutes (preventive for external parasites/bacteria)
  • Methylene blue dip: 5 minutes (antifungal/antibacterial)
  • Only if fish from questionable source (not needed for reputable breeders)

Step 3: Initial Feeding

  • Feed lightly (half portion)
  • Stress reduces appetite (normal if fish doesn’t eat Day 1-2)

Days 2-7: Daily Observation

Observe Behavior:

  • ✅ Healthy: Active, eating, natural swimming pattern, fins spread
  • ❌ Warning signs:
    • Hiding constantly (beyond Day 3)
    • Not eating 3+ days
    • Gasping at surface (low oxygen or gill parasites)
    • Clamped fins (fins closed tight to body)
    • Flashing (rubbing body on surfaces = parasites)
    • White spots, gold dust, cotton-like growth

Daily Maintenance:

  • Water change 20-30% (no established biofilter yet in new QT)
  • Test ammonia/nitrite (should be 0 if cycled, <0.5ppm if cycling)
  • Feed small amounts 1-2x daily (remove uneaten food after 5 minutes)

Week 2-3: Treatment (If Needed) or Continued Observation

If Disease Detected:

Ich (White Spots):

  • Raise temperature to 28-30°C (speed up ich lifecycle)
  • Add salt 1 tablespoon per 5L
  • Treat 7-10 days (until 3 days after last spot disappears)

Fungus (White Cotton):

  • Methylene blue or antifungal medication (API Fungus Cure)
  • Follow product instructions
  • Improve water quality (fungus = secondary infection from stress/injury)

Bacterial Infection (Fin Rot, Ulcers):

  • Antibacterial medication (API General Cure, Sera Bactopur)
  • Daily water changes 30% (improve water quality)
  • Duration: 5-7 days

If Healthy:

  • Continue observation (some diseases have 7-14 day incubation)
  • Maintain water quality (ammonia/nitrite 0)
  • Feed normally (1-2x daily)

Week 4: Final Check & Transfer

Final Checklist:

  • Fish active, eating well
  • No white spots, fungus, or abnormal behavior
  • No flashing, gasping, or clamped fins
  • Healthy for 14+ days continuously

If All Clear: SAFE to add to main tank

Transfer Method:

  1. Net fish from QT tank
  2. Float in bag/container in main tank 15 minutes (temperature equalize)
  3. Drip acclimate 30 minutes if pH/parameters different
  4. Release into main tank
  5. Monitor 24-48 hours (watch for aggression from established fish)

Quarantine Duration Guide

Fish TypeMinimumIdealNotes
Cheap/Hardy (Guppy, Platy)2 weeks3 weeksLower risk
Mid-Range (Tetra, Rasbora)3 weeks4 weeksStandard
Expensive/Sensitive (Discus, Apisto)4 weeks6 weeksHigh value, worth extra time
Wild-Caught4 weeks8 weeksHigh parasite risk

“If disease appears during quarantine, RESET timer after treatment completes”

Shrimp Quarantine Protocol (2-3 Weeks)

Less Complicated Than Fish

Why Easier:

  • Shrimp don’t carry many diseases (hardy)
  • Main concern = pests (planaria, hydra) dan pesticides (on plants)
  • Faster quarantine (2-3 weeks vs 4 weeks for fish)

Week 1: Acclimation & Observation

Day 1: Arrival

Drip Acclimation (2-3 Hours):

  • Shrimp extremely sensitive to parameter changes (pH, GH, KH, temperature)
  • Drip 1 drop per 2 seconds (slower than fish)
  • Continue until bag volume triples (2-3 hours)
  • Net shrimp into QT (don’t add store water)

Observe:

  • ✅ Healthy: Grazing constantly, swimming actively, exploring
  • ❌ Warning:
    • 20%+ deaths in 48 hours = water parameter shock or toxic (copper, pesticide)
    • Swimming erratically (spinning, darting) = toxin exposure
    • Lethargic, not grazing = stress or disease

Days 2-7: Monitoring

Daily Checks:

  • Count shrimp (ensure no deaths)
  • Check for molting (healthy sign—shrimp molt every 2-4 weeks)
  • Look for berried females (eggs under tail—good sign)
  • Feed lightly (algae wafer, blanched vegetable)

Water Changes:

  • 20-30% every 3 days
  • Match parameters exactly (use main tank water if possible)

Week 2-3: Pest Detection

Check for Pests:

  • Planaria: Triangle head worms on glass (shine flashlight at night)
  • Hydra: White polyps on glass/plants (sting shrimp)
  • Snails: Pond snails, ramshorn on glass

If Pests Found:

  • Treat with Fenbendazole or No-Planaria before adding to main tank
  • See Planaria Treatment guide

If No Pests:

  • Continue observation
  • Ensure shrimp molt successfully (sign of good water quality)

Transfer to Main Tank

If:

  • No pests detected
  • No die-off (95%+ survival)
  • Molt successfully
  • Active, grazing

Then: SAFE to add to main tank

Transfer Method:

  • Drip acclimate again (2-3 hours)
  • Release into main tank
  • Monitor 24-48 hours

“Shrimp easier to quarantine, but DON’T skip—planaria can wipe entire shrimp colony”

Plant Quarantine Protocol (2-3 Weeks)

Week 1: Rinse & Soak

Step 1: Rinse (5 Minutes)

  1. Remove from pot/package
  2. Remove rockwool/foam (breeding ground for pests)
  3. Rinse under tap water 1-2 minutes (remove visible snails, debris)
  4. Shake gently (dislodge snail eggs)

Step 2: Inspect (5 Minutes)

  • Check for snails (visible on leaves/stems)
  • Check for snail eggs (clear jelly blobs on underside of leaves)
  • Check for planaria (triangle worms)
  • Check for algae (BBA, hair algae)

Step 3: Soak (2-3 Weeks)

  • Place in bucket/QT tank with tank water
  • Mild circulation (air stone)
  • Moderate light (prevent plant melting)

Week 2-3: Monitor & Remove Pests

Daily Check:

  • Look for snails on glass/container sides (remove immediately)
  • Look for planaria (triangle worms on glass)
  • Look for hydra (white polyps)

Water Change:

  • Every 3 days (50% change)
  • Kills any hatching snails without medication

Optional Treatment Methods

Method 1: Alum Dip (Safest)

  • Ratio: 1 tablespoon per gallon water
  • Duration: 24 hours
  • Process: Soak plant, rinse thoroughly, ready to plant
  • Kills: Snail eggs, snails, some parasites
  • Safe for: Most plants (including delicate species)

Method 2: Bleach Dip (Nuclear Option)

  • Ratio: 1:20 bleach:water (1 part bleach, 20 parts water)
  • Duration: 30 seconds (max 1 minute for hardy plants)
  • Process:
    1. Soak plant 30 seconds
    2. Rinse under running water 3x
    3. Soak in dechlorinator 5 minutes
    4. Rinse again, ready to plant
  • Kills: Everything (snails, eggs, algae, pesticides, bacteria)
  • Risk: Can damage delicate plants (moss, Riccardia)

Method 3: Hydrogen Peroxide Dip

  • Ratio: 1:4 H2O2:water (3% H2O2)
  • Duration: 5 minutes
  • Process: Soak, rinse, plant
  • Kills: Algae, some pests
  • Safe for: Most plants

For Shrimp Tanks (CRITICAL - Pesticide Purge)

Why Critical: Most farm plants have pesticide residue (copper-based, lethal to shrimp)

Pesticide Purge Process:

  1. Soak plants in separate container 3-4 weeks
  2. Change water 2x per week (leach pesticides)
  3. Test with “canary shrimp”: Add 1-2 cheap cherry shrimp to plant container
  4. If shrimp survive 3-7 days → pesticide gone, safe to add to main tank
  5. If shrimp die → continue soaking, test again after 1 week

Tissue Culture Plants (100% Safe):

  • Grown in sterile lab conditions
  • No pesticides, no pests, no algae
  • Price: Rp 50-100k per cup (more expensive)
  • Recommended for shrimp tanks (zero risk)

“Never add untreated plants directly to shrimp tank—I’ve killed 50+ shrimp this way” (personal experience warning)

Quarantine Maintenance Tips

Keep Sponge Filter Alive

Between Uses:

  • Run sponge filter in main tank (maintain bacteria colony)
  • Or store in bag with tank water + air stone (bacteria survive 1-2 weeks)

When Needed:

  • Move sponge to QT tank (instant cycle)
  • No need to cycle from scratch

Medications Kit (Keep on Hand)

Basic Kit (Rp 200-300k):

  • Ich treatment (malachite green or salt)
  • Antifungal (methylene blue or API Fungus Cure)
  • Antibacterial (API General Cure or Sera Bactopur)
  • Fenbendazole/Panacur (planaria, hydra)

Why: Immediate treatment when disease detected (don’t wait for shipping)

Separate Equipment

Dedicated QT Equipment:

  • Net (don’t cross-contaminate with main tank)
  • Siphon/gravel vacuum
  • Bucket for water changes

Why: Prevent disease transfer from QT to main tank

Record Keeping

Track:

  • Arrival date
  • Source (store, breeder, online)
  • Species
  • Any treatments used
  • Transfer date to main tank

Why: Identify patterns (which sources have disease issues, which treatments work)

“QT tank pays for itself after preventing ONE disease outbreak”

FAQ

Berapa lama minimum quarantine untuk ikan?

2 minggu minimum, 4 minggu ideal. Banyak diseases punya incubation period 7-14 hari. Quarantine 4 minggu memastikan gejala apapun akan terlihat sebelum ikan masuk main tank. Untuk ikan mahal atau wild-caught, 6-8 minggu recommended.

Apakah wajib quarantine untuk tanaman juga?

Ya, sangat direkomendasikan. Tanaman bisa membawa snail eggs (invisible), planaria eggs, algae spores, dan pesticides (lethal untuk udang). Minimal bleach dip 30 detik atau quarantine 2-3 minggu. Untuk shrimp tanks, 3-4 minggu pesticide purge wajib.

Bisa skip quarantine kalau beli dari toko terpercaya?

Tidak recommended. Even reputable stores bisa have disease outbreaks (one sick fish infects whole tank). Toko tidak always quarantine new arrivals (turnover cepat). Better safe than sorry—2-4 minggu quarantine vs months of treatment dan losses.

Berapa biaya setup quarantine tank minimal?

Rp 300-500k untuk dedicated QT tank (20-30L tank, sponge filter, air pump, heater, light). One-time investment, reuse forever. Alternative: Breeder box Rp 80-150k (tapi not true quarantine, shared water dengan main tank).

Apakah quarantine tank perlu cycling dulu?

Ideal ya, tapi ada workaround. Option A: Run sponge filter di main tank 2-4 minggu sebelum use (colonize bacteria). Option B: Move mature sponge dari main tank ke QT saat needed (instant cycle). Option C: Daily water changes 30-50% selama quarantine (compensate for no cycle).

Boleh quarantine ikan dan tanaman bersamaan di tank yang sama?

Tidak recommended. Jika ikan sakit dan butuh medication (salt, copper), akan kill tanaman. Better: Separate containers untuk plants (bucket dengan air stone) dan dedicated QT tank untuk fish/shrimp.

Bagaimana kalau ikan sakit selama quarantine?

Perfect—that’s why we quarantine! Treat di QT tank (easier, cheaper, safer untuk main tank). Setelah treatment selesai dan ikan healthy, reset quarantine timer (observe 14+ hari lagi untuk ensure fully recovered). Jangan rush transfer ke main tank.

Kesimpulan

Quarantine adalah NON-NEGOTIABLE untuk serious aquascapers. Setup cost Rp 300-500k adalah cheap insurance vs Rp 2-5 juta tank loss dari disease outbreak atau pest infestation.

Quarantine Duration:

  • Fish: 2-4 minggu minimum (watch for ich, fungus, bacterial infections)
  • Shrimp: 2-3 minggu (check for pests—planaria, hydra)
  • Plants: 2-3 minggu general, 3-4 minggu for shrimp tanks (pesticide purge critical)

Key Protocols:

  • Drip acclimate slowly (1-3 hours untuk fish, 2-3 hours untuk shrimp)
  • Observe daily (behavior, eating, signs of disease)
  • Treat immediately if disease detected (don’t wait)
  • Reset timer after treatment (ensure full recovery)

“I learned the hard way after losing a 1-year-old Nature aquascape to ich outbreak—never skip QT again”

Invest 2-4 minggu patience untuk years of problem-free aquascaping. Untuk disease treatment lengkap, baca Disease & Pest Control Aquascape. Untuk pest-specific guides, check Snail Pest Control dan Planaria Treatment.

Setup your quarantine tank today—future you will thank you! Selamat quarantining!