does a quarantine tank need to have a light

[arny]

i just upgraded my tank and am looking into buying a small tank to use as a quarantine tank and wondered if it was a must to have a light on the tank

[Diana]

I would for several reasons:

a) The fish ought to have a natural day/night cycle. If the room is well lit, then this might be plenty.

b) You need to see the fish clearly to be certain they are healthy and free of parasites. If you only add a light when you want to look at them they will startle and hide, making it more difficult to see them. Gotta wait for them to come out of hiding.

c) If you have any live plants in the Q-tank they will need a light.

I would make it a somewhat dim light for a couple of reasons:

a) if the fish are actually sick they probably will feel safer in a dim area, under a rock or a branch.

b) Some medicines are deactivated by light.

Some of these reasons are not compatible with each other, and you need to make the call. Which way to go on this?