How to clear up bacteria bloom in QT

[JenniferMcK]

I have 4 fish in qt that are in copper power at 2 I ran some antibiotics and finished 5 days ago. Since then I have had.a horrible bacteria bloom. Changed just about 90% water over the last few days and added biospira and it's still murky. What else can I do? No direct sunlight on tank, just a current led strip. I'm also finding a fine dusting on everything in the tank and have been syphoning as best as I can to get it out. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[HotRocks]

Large water changes and zero light (including tank lights) are about the only thing you can do.

I'm curious what ABX where you using?

Sometimes spectrogram or Furan-2 will help clear up a bloom in the water.

 

[Chipp]

FWIW: I added a submersible uv sterilizer from amazon (AA Aquarium Green Killing Machine Internal UV Sterilizer with Power Head 24W) and mine cleared up in a few days.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

If you have spare hob filters use them for bacteria to cling to. Then waiting game

 

[JenniferMcK]

Large water changes and zero light (including tank lights) are about the only thing you can do.

I'm curious what ABX where you using?

Sometimes spectrogram or Furan-2 will help clear up a bloom in the water.

I was using furan 2 and kanaplex: spectrogram lol. I follow your qt method. I also started feeding less and syphoning all excess foods out. Even with water changes the water is still green and cloudy

 

[JenniferMcK]

If you have spare hob filters use them for bacteria to cling to. Then waiting game

I have a hob and sponge filter running. I could add another sponge filter

 

[JenniferMcK]

FWIW: I added a submersible uv sterilizer from amazon (AA Aquarium Green Killing Machine Internal UV Sterilizer with Power Head 24W) and mine cleared up in a few days.

Do you have a link to it

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Also, Someone mentioned UV. good for future QT.

 

[JenniferMcK]

Large water changes and zero light (including tank lights) are about the only thing you can do.

I'm curious what ABX where you using?

Sometimes spectrogram or Furan-2 will help clear up a bloom in the water.

 

[Sailingeric]

They will go away on their own. Just give it time.

 

[HotRocks]

FWIW:

Using a UV in a medicated QT is very dangerous.

It can alter meds, copper for example becomes much more toxic when filtered through a UV. Antibiotics can be broken down a will become much less effective etc.

Using a UV on an observational QT could allow something to pass through as they will lower the free swimming population of parasites. So if you run a UV and parasites aren't evident they could show back up in DT.

So my .02 is to avoid UV altogether for the QT process.

 

[JenniferMcK]

FWIW:

Using a UV in a medicated QT is very dangerous.

It can alter meds, copper for example becomes much more toxic when filtered through a UV. Antibiotics can be broken down a will become much less effective etc.

Using a UV on an observational QT could allow something to pass through as they will lower the free swimming population of parasites. So if you run a UV and parasites aren't evident they could show back up in DT.

So my .02 is to avoid UV altogether for the QT process.

Ok will I won't do that for sure. Think this will clear up in a few days or so?

 

[HotRocks]

That doesn't look too bad. Probably just left over Furan-2 yellowish water.

Here is a bad bacterial bloom:

 

[road_runner]

If it's really a bacterial bloom uv light will clear all of it in 2 days.
Buy one of these submerged UV lights and place it in the display tank for a day or 2. It will clear or.

 

[Wildreefs]

FWIW:

Using a UV in a medicated QT is very dangerous.

It can alter meds, copper for example becomes much more toxic when filtered through a UV. Antibiotics can be broken down a will become much less effective etc.

Using a UV on an observational QT could allow something to pass through as they will lower the free swimming population of parasites. So if you run a UV and parasites aren't evident they could show back up in DT.

So my .02 is to avoid UV altogether for the QT process.

Perhaps it depends on which copper. I am running a 25 watt American aqua uv on my 50 gallon, which has 2.0 copper power level, no ill effects or change in copper reading so far in 2 months.

Most of the lfs I know run copper and keep it running as well. I think maybe the cupramine can’t be used with it.

 

[JenniferMcK]

That doesn't look too bad. Probably just left over Furan-2 yellowish water.

Here is a bad bacterial bloom:

Yep that makes me feel better lol

 

[HotRocks]

Perhaps it depends on which copper. I am running a 25 watt American aqua uv on my 50 gallon, which has 2.0 copper power level, no ill effects or change in copper reading so far in 2 months.

Most of the lfs I know run copper and keep it running as well. I think maybe the cupramine can’t be used with it.

Cupramine is ionic copper and what will react negatively with UV.

 

[TriggerFan]

I just started QT of four fish last Saturday as well. I added Seachem Stability to avoid the new tank syndrome and started adding Copper Power the next day (Sunday). By Sunday night, the water is really murky. Not green, but as bad as shown in HotRock's photo.

I am obviously not to therapeutic level (I am following HotRock's suggested method of raising across 7 days), so I wonder if I should do some water change, then add necessary Copper Power to get to the appropriate level?

Also, after I reach 2 TL in 7 days. How much longer should I keep the treatment? 4 additional days? Then a 100% water change, add API General Cure for 24-48 hours, then another water change and observe until ready to get into DT?

Just in case:

40 Gallon Breeder
Seachem Tidal 55 HOB (Sponge + Filter Pad - Removed rocks)
Cobalt Air Pump + Small Air Stone
300 watt Heater at 79 deg
Hydor Koralia Nano Powerhead 565
AI Prime HD
Nori Clip + Feeding frozen food soaked with Selcon and Vitachem twice a day
Seachem Stability
Copper Safe - 15ml dosed so far