Powerhead and sponge or just sponge for QT?

[saulgoodmannnn]

I have lost 2 fish in 24 hours and I have never lost a salt water fish before :/

a couple days ago I noticed some specks on my flame angel

I spoke with my LFS and they told me to setup a QT tank asap treat with cupramine. I lost a Mandarin and just a few hours ago a Evansi Anthia, the Anthia was swimming and eating fine 2 hours before I found it dead so I was pretty shocked.

My question is should I use just a sponge filter on a QT tank or should I grab a power head and attach a sponge filter to it? I’ve never used a sponge filter on a saltwater tank and with how frequently I’m going to need to change water for the treatment I figured buying a HOB filter would be a waste. This tank will be a dedicated fish only QT tank from now on….

 

[bnord]

Sorry for your losses, and best of luck
I use an internal Tunze with Bioballs from my sump..
If that's not available the sponge filter should work

also run an air sone, and just be ready with WCs and reliable Cu test kit

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Do you have a sponge filter that is cycle already? If not, any non calcerous media you have cycled?

I run a sponge filter, or air pump running to a 3" disk on all my qt cycles as many medications lower available oxygen in the water.

While dosing copper, ensure you have a reliable test kit for copper. Hanna is the go to, API is not accurate enough.

 

[saulgoodmannnn]

Sorry for your losses, and best of luck
I use an internal Tunze with Bioballs from my sump..
If that's not available the sponge filter should work

also run an air sone, and just be ready with WCs and reliable Cu test kit

I have some cycled media ready to go, but i do have a seachem Cu test. Basically my concern probably unwarranted is that if I use a filter in a copper treated tank then down the road add fish later for observation that may not require copper treatment - will that filtration leech copper into the water? A sponge filter is cheap and easy to just toss after treatment to prevent any possible contamination… I was told if I treat any fish with copper in a tank I can never add any corals to that tank or use it for mixing salt since the silicone will absorb the copper…I’m assuming this goes for equipment as well?

 

[bnord]

I have some cycled media ready to go, but i do have a seachem Cu test. Basically my concern probably unwarranted is that if I use a filter in a copper treated tank then down the road add fish later for observation that may not require copper treatment - will that filtration leech copper into the water? A sponge filter is cheap and easy to just toss after treatment to prevent any possible contamination… I was told if I treat any fish with copper in a tank I can never add any corals to that tank or use it for mixing salt since the silicone will absorb the copper…I’m assuming this goes for equipment as well?

I dedicate a tank to treatment/observation for fish only - have a BRS small carbon media canister and that and water changes get it down to where you need to be - for fish

Have not done the thought experiment to see what residual Cu would be around after that, below Hanna test fit level is what I shoot for

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Sponge filters are cheap enough to be disposable.

I treat with copper in a 40 breeder, and through water changes and cuprisorb, I'm able to draw copper down to 0 and it stays there.

I do not believe any copper leaching would be enough.

Live rock and sand will absorb copper and does take a lot longer to draw completely out if you're even able to.

 

[ggNoRe]

Personally, I would use both if you already have them. In my QT I have a aquamax filter with filter floss, ceramic bio media, and carbon and also a airstone in the tank. The more oxygen the better IMO.