Hey all! just a quick question. Since I'm not allowed to get another tank, do you think it would be okay for me to use one of those big five gallon water buckets as a quarantine or hospital "tank"? I'd try and get like a sponge filter or something of course, but would that work in the place of a real tank?

Well, it's really because there's no more room in my home. And because my parents won't let me.  but the bucket would be only for a quarantine/hospital tank, and not permanent residence for my fishies - how could I set up something like that?

Do you need a quarantine tank? That's the firs question.

Other than that, yes, you can use a plastic cotnainer as a quarantine tank without problems It might be better though to get a 10 gallon one, since the fish need good water quality, especially if they are sick and need quarantining!
You set it up like a normal tank, you can add a plastic plant and maybe a big pipe or something as a hideout so the fish will feel more secure and home Substrate isn't needed at all!
Then you just add some fish food to the tank (without fish) and let it cycle in peace! Or you could take water from your main system and fill the new tank with it, and it should cycle much faster!

How about a 10 gallon rubbermaid tub to use as a quarantine tank?