My friend is giving me his 5 gallon tank. i want to use it as a quarintine for my fish. i know i need the basic equipment. do i have to use gravel? im not letting it run all the time, just when it needs to. if he doesnt give me the tank im buying a 3 gallon mini bow which is probably what im getting.

Tommy why don't you work in a fish store? You're more knowledgeable than half the people that work in them.

i should. most stores by me are very knowledgeable though. Thanxs for the compliment.

Since quarantine tanks are used short term, often require medications, need to be easily cleaned and often torn down, it's easiest to not use gravel in a quarantine tank. Exceptions might be if you're doing a long quarantine (over say 3 weeks) to make the fish feel more secure, or the fish being quaratined are overly sensitive and need the security/naturalness that gravel provides.

thanks robyn, if i have any more ?s i will post them hear.