I’m using a seeded sponge from my display tank for biological filtration of my qt tank. My tank had Ich, so I’m assuming there is ich living on my sponge. If I’m supposed to leave Dt fallow for 76 days, what am I supposed to use for biological filtration post copper treatment? Is the copper going to kill any remaining Ich on the sponge filter even though it may not be a “free swimmer” or do I need to remove my sponge filter at the end of medication and find an alternate source to process ammonia?
Qt question
- Thread starter Danny N
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melypr1985
totally addicted
The copper will kill the parasites as they hatch from their cysts on the sponge and go looking for victims. By the time the 30 days are up, the sponge should be fine. However, you will want to toss that sponge out after this round of QT is over. You can go ahead and place more sponges in the sump to start seeding since after the fallow period those will be fine to use for the next batch.
melypr1985
totally addicted
Because you can't dose the copper in your display.
melypr1985
totally addicted
There are a few strains that take a long time to hatch which is why we recommend the 76 days fallow. Now, this can come into play in the QT as well. The copper won't kill the cyst stage, so sometimes the fish will end up with ich again after the copper is removed. That possibility is why we recommend a two week observation period after treatment among other reasons like watching for infections.
