Coming up with my new approach

[Averhoeven]

I was wondering what parole thought of this plan. I've had a 20L QT setup for the past few weeks and have been burning through water changes because it seems there's always ammonia in it. Might as well have done TTM it's so often. I added Dr Tim's to the Aquaclear 70 at the beginning, but didn't seem to make a dent.
Anyway, I think my new approach will be to take the 40 breeder I have and set it up as a permanent copper tank. Just leave it with copper and cycled. When new fish come in, I'll prophylaxis ready them with GC or prazi/metro, then slowly raise their copper and finally transfer them from the smaller tank into the 40 go give them a more stable location for the long copper run. The, when it's about time to be done, I'll pull them out and put them into another small tank for a couple days before going to the DT. Anyone see a problem with this plan? Any issues with just leaving the copper tank up and running and not washing it out between? I figured if I pretreat for everything else first, then any ich cysts etc will be handled by the copper when they hatch.

 

[Brew12]

I was wondering what parole thought of this plan. I've had a 20L QT setup for the past few weeks and have been burning through water changes because it seems there's always ammonia in it. Might as well have done TTM it's so often. I added Dr Tim's to the Aquaclear 70 at the beginning, but didn't seem to make a dent.
Anyway, I think my new approach will be to take the 40 breeder I have and set it up as a permanent copper tank. Just leave it with copper and cycled. When new fish come in, I'll prophylaxis ready them with GC or prazi/metro, then slowly raise their copper and finally transfer them from the smaller tank into the 40 go give them a more stable location for the long copper run. The, when it's about time to be done, I'll pull them out and put them into another small tank for a couple days before going to the DT. Anyone see a problem with this plan? Any issues with just leaving the copper tank up and running and not washing it out between? I figured if I pretreat for everything else first, then any ich cysts etc will be handled by the copper when they hatch.

I think that sounds like a fine plan.

I am curious how you tested for ammonia though. Did you use a Seachem alert badge while shining a light on the back?

 

[blkhwkz]

I have not used Dr Tim's, but I have used Biospira a lot, several times to quick cycle a QT for an impulse purchase without ammonia issues.

As far as leaving the tank up without breaking it down:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/qt-and-biofilm.292878/

Maybe @Humblefish can chime in on any potential biofilm effects with copper, as that article references CP, prazi and some other meds.

 

[Brew12]

I have not used Dr Tim's, but I have used Biospira a lot, several times to quick cycle a QT for an impulse purchase without ammonia issues.

As far as leaving the tank up without breaking it down:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/qt-and-biofilm.292878/

Maybe @Humblefish can chime in on any potential biofilm effects with copper, as that article references CP, prazi and some other meds.

Biofilms won't impact copper, it is not something that can be broken down like the organics in CP and Prazi.

 

[blkhwkz]

Biofilms won't impact copper, it is not something that can be broken down like the organics in CP and Prazi.

This is why I should wake up and get my brain working before I post in the morning because I knew that.

 

[Averhoeven]

I think that sounds like a fine plan.

I am curious how you tested for ammonia though. Did you use a Seachem alert badge while shining a light on the back?

Used a seachem badge, though didn't shine a light. Last night's WC was due to the fish not wanting to eat. Tested and ammonia was 1 (api test), 2 days after a 50% water change. I've tried to be very mindful of feeding quantity because of it all, etc. 2 clowns, 2 cardinals, royal gramma, purple tang and a little shrimp goby.

 

[Brew12]

Used a seachem badge, though didn't shine a light. Last night's WC was due to the fish not wanting to eat. Tested and ammonia was 1 (api test), 2 days after a 50% water change. I've tried to be very mindful of feeding quantity because of it all, etc. 2 clowns, 2 cardinals, royal gramma, purple tang and a little shrimp goby.

Not sure if you have copper in your water right now, but copper can cause false positives ammonia tests.

 

[Averhoeven]

Not sure if you have copper in your water right now, but copper can cause false positives ammonia tests.

Not at the moment. Did previously. This most recent test was only with metro and Prazi in the water. Fortunately, they are now done with their copper and meds, so Am guard and the like are now options which should make my evenings less frustrating. Tonight will also be the final transfer on a TTM group of anthias that I was trialing that system on too. Wish they could go in the display, but it's cycle is taking a bit longer than anticipated, so they get to hang out in QT a bit longer.