2nd fish has Ich. Need help setting up QT ASAP!

Mustangtodd97 · Jan 10, 2018

My 2nd fish (sailfin tang) now has Ich. Blue hippo had it and was returned to LFS. I am setting up a QT tank today! So far, I have a 20 gallon tank, stand, filter, circulation pump, nets, mag cleaner, aqueon filter & heater. I'll be ordering a light, seachem ammonia alert disk today (also have API test kit) . I will also be purchasing a temp gage, cupramine & some biospira bacteria. All my fish (5) will be going in QT for 10 weeks so my display tank can be rid of ich. I plan to add 10 gallons of my tank water, and 10 of fresh saltwater. Planning on getting this up and going today! So my questions are:
1. Is there anything else I need?
2. Is it ok to just add the bacteria, and keep up on water changes (adding more bacteria and cupramine with each 1) monitoring ammonia levels daily (basically skipping tank cycle)?
3. If not, how do I do this?
4. As an alterative, has anyone tried Prodibio Startup for immediate tank cycle (goods, bads, work with copper)?
5. Any other tips or advice?

Thanks in advace for all the help!

GBRsouth · Jan 10, 2018

Can you list what your 5 fish are. This will help @Humblefish and @melypr1985 guide you on which type of copper will be more suitable.

Brew12 · Jan 10, 2018

Mustangtodd97 said:
My 2nd fish (sailfin tang) now has Ich. Blue hippo had it and was returned to LFS. I am setting up a QT tank today! So far, I have a 20 gallon tank, stand, filter, circulation pump, nets, mag cleaner, aqueon filter & heater. I'll be ordering a light, seachem ammonia alert disk today (also have API test kit) . I will also be purchasing a temp gage, cupramine & some biospira bacteria. All my fish (5) will be going in QT for 10 weeks so my display tank can be rid of ich. I plan to add 10 gallons of my tank water, and 10 of fresh saltwater. Planning on getting this up and going today! So my questions are:
1. Is there anything else I need?
2. Is it ok to just add the bacteria, and keep up on water changes (adding more bacteria and cupramine with each 1) monitoring ammonia levels daily (basically skipping tank cycle)?
3. If not, how do I do this?
4. As an alterative, has anyone tried Prodibio Startup for immediate tank cycle (goods, bads, work with copper)?
5. Any other tips or advice?

Thanks in advace for all the help!

1) You will need a Salifert or Seachem copper test kit to use with the Cupramine. API test kits will not work with it properly.
2) Yup, add the bacteria a day before adding the fish and after the tank is at the right temp. It will seed the sponge in your filter.
3) No reason to add bacteria with the water changes. Once the sponge is seeded it should be fine. You can and should rinse the sponge out every week or so. Squeeze it in a small container of RODI (or tap, if you don't have chlorine in it) a few times to get the built up crud out.
4) Never tried it but it is designed to work a little slower than some other products. I've had great success with Biospira.
5) Do a lot of reading in the Fish Disease section of the forum. The stickies have a wealth of information. Ask lots of questions there if you need to.