Getting your first exotic pet is exciting, and there’s a lot to learn. But what about when you’re ready to expand your collection? You’ve already learned what you need to know with your first herp, right? Nope, sorry. When you add a new reptile or amphibian to your existing terrarium, whether it’s the same species or different from your first pet, you have to learn how to set up a quarantine tank.
What’s a quarantine tank, and why do you need one? Read on to find out.
You mean I need two terrariums?
The short answer here is yes. A quarantine tank is a separate terrarium where you keep your new reptile or amphibian for surveillance to make sure it is healthy. You do this in order to protect any other pet or pets that will be sharing a terrarium with the new specimen.
Now, the good news is that your quarantine tank does not need a whole lot of set up. This is just a temporary home for your new pet, so the best strategy is to keep it simple. Also, the tank is supposed to be a place where you can observe the new herp, so you don’t want a lot of extra stuff blocking your view. Here are the quarantine tank essentials:
- A solid plastic or glass aquarium, or similar enclosure
- Paper towels for substrate (easy to clean and monitor feces)
- A simple hide space (either a warm spot or wet spot, depending on species)
- A water dish
- A feeding dish if necessary
Important note: when you are cleaning out your enclosures, always clean the quarantine tank last to prevent the spread of possible illnesses.
If you know someone planning to purchase a second exotic pet or otherwise grow their existing collection, direct them to this article to help them protect their herps.
But that means I have to spend more money!
If you don’t already own a second terrarium that can be used for quarantine, then yes, you are going to have to shell out a bit more money to get one, as well as substrate and other supplies. But think of it this way. If you don’t quarantine your new herp, you risk spreading disease or parasites to your other exotics. And then you are going to be out even more money than the cost of an aquarium.
However, if you plan to acquire even more herp pets in the future, or plan to set up a mixed terrarium, then buying and setting up a quarantine tank is well worth the time and cost. You will need to quarantine each new exotic that you purchase before adding them to an existing habitat.
Keep in mind that even with proper quarantine procedures, it is still possible for one of your pets to silently harbor a contagious disease or parasite. A quarantine tank is absolutely essential, and it is the best preventive measure you can take. But it is not a guarantee against illness in your collection.
The team at The Tye Dyed Iguana is always happy to answer your questions about quarantine and adding a new pet to your existing habitat. Feel free to come in and talk to us!