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Ich QT


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I have just set up a 20 gallon tall QT and filled it with water from my DT. I am going to move my Foxface, 2 firefish and 2 clowns over to the QT and let the DT sit empty for 8 weeks. I plan on treating with Seachem Cupramine for 2 weeks in the QT staring a day after I put the fish in. I plan on raising to .25 ml/L the first day and .5 ml/L the second day and remaining at .5 ml/l for 2 weeks. I just need to get an ammonia badge to make sure I am doing enough water changes right? I was thinking 50% bi weekly water changes? Should I let my QT cycle or just rely on water changes since the copper interfears with the bacteria anyways? Looking for some guidance.

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Good job with the QT. Don't bother with gradual raising of the Cupramine....just follow the directions.

 

I had similar stocking of fish in a 10 gallon DT. I did a once per week 50% water change. Everyone did fine. Just add the Cupramine back in as needed to keep the concentration correct. Make sure you have a copper test kit.

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Good job with the QT. Don't bother with gradual raising of the Cupramine....just follow the directions.

 

I had similar stocking of fish in a 10 gallon DT. I did a once per week 50% water change. Everyone did fine. Just add the Cupramine back in as needed to keep the concentration correct. Make sure you have a copper test kit.

 

Ok. I am just waiting to get an ammonia badge from the LFS tomorrow before I put the fish in. Can I use DT water for water changes or fresh salt water? I am going to add the fish without cycling the QT. Should I run any media with the copper? Should I just assume that the Copper will kill off beneficial bacteria?

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Also, is there any reason I should not use Hyposalinity? I would like to preserve the biofiltration and would hypo be a better method?

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Ok. I am just waiting to get an ammonia badge from the LFS tomorrow before I put the fish in. Can I use DT water for water changes or fresh salt water? I am going to add the fish without cycling the QT. Should I run any media with the copper? Should I just assume that the Copper will kill off beneficial bacteria?

You can use either water...fresh salt or DT. I've done both.

 

Don't run any media. I used a powerhead with foam cover, a heater and fake plants and PVC fittings for hiding. No rock, no sand. Nothing to absorb the copper.

 

I wouldn't even bother waiting for the badge. Ammonia is not going to spike that fast and kill the fish. The ich can. Just get them into treatment and grab the badge later.

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You probably just need to choose whichever method works best for you. Hypo-salinity is probably the best for the fish but it also requires very constant salinity level. If you don't have an ATO for it, you'll probably have a hard time keeping the salinity at the right level to be effective.

 

I'm not sure about using tank water, it's probably fine however if the medication you're using kills off bacteria in the water column you might get an ammonia spike. Would probably be a good idea to have enough fresh mixed salt water on hand to do just about a 100% water change if needed.

 

5 fish in a 20 gallon tank is going to have a lot of poop. Maybe give them a couple days without feeding to clean them out before moving them over and then just keep feeding to a minimum or just be sure remove any detritus in the morning and evening to prevent large water change needs early on.

 

Disclaimer: I am a terrible QT'r apparently, can't seem to get it right so everything I just said could be terrible advice :wacko: GL!

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You can use either water...fresh salt or DT. I've done both.

 

Don't run any media. I used a powerhead with foam cover, a heater and fake plants and PVC fittings for hiding. No rock, no sand. Nothing to absorb the copper.

 

I wouldn't even bother waiting for the badge. Ammonia is not going to spike that fast and kill the fish. The ich can. Just get them into treatment and grab the badge later.

Thanks. Ill do it asap. Copper treatment says to treat for 14 days, so I can stop copper after that I assume? Some people were telling me to keep Copper treatment for 4 weeks. Lots of conflicting information out there, lol. Now just to catch the fish...

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Thanks. Ill do it asap. Copper treatment says to treat for 14 days, so I can stop copper after that I assume? Some people were telling me to keep Copper treatment for 4 weeks. Lots of conflicting information out there, lol. Now just to catch the fish...

The Cupramine is super simple and it works. I haven't lost a fish to it.

 

The very first time I used it I held the fish at full treatment level for 2 months....probably not good for the fish....but all were fine and I still have a few of them 3 years later. The last 2 times I treated them for only the 2 week recommended run time......that's all that's needed. I saw immediate relief in the fish....by the following morning.

 

Just make sure you run that DT fallow for at least 2 months.....I ran mine fishless for 3 months.....just to be on the safe side.

 

Feed the fish only what they will consume ....don't leave any uneaten food. 50% wc once per week and redose Cupramine to bring copper levels back up and you'll be fine. Use the copper test to insure you're not overdosing the Cupramine. Everytime I tested, it was spot on.

 

I used a cheap powerhead that has an air tube that pulls air into the water output.....oxygenating the water.

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Chloroquine Phosphate is a much safer and easier solution for curing ich. You dose the tank once and then you don't need to dose again (except for adding to water change water). It also doesn't harm bacteria so your biological filtration continues to work. You can use bacteria additives to help populate the QT with bacteria.

 

If you use cupramine you are going to need to do large 50% - 75% water changes on fairly regular (daily-ish) basis to maintain decent living conditions for the fish.

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