Quarantine tank with sand

[mike550]

Newbie Q regarding QT, sand, and copper treatment.

I have a 20G QT that I recently added 20lb sand to because I was going to quarantine fish that like a sand bottom. In this case it was really a three week observation without medications. But now I’m ready to move forward and quarantine other fish (blenny and tang) so I’m not sure I need the sand anymore. I understand that the sand (aragonite) will absorb the copper if I leave the sand in the tank but what’s the “real” problem?

I’ve read some threads that seem to suggest that once the sand and copper have bonded that the copper level will remain steady. If the copper remains steady then do I really have an issue if I can adjust the copper level in the water?

If I use cupramine then could I use Seachem Cuprisorb to take out the copper?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Big G]

Hi Mike!
The first area of concern may be that the sand from the 3 week observation may be harboring some parasites from those fish. I usually toss any sand used in a QT between new batches of fish, inverts, corals, etc.
Yes, the sand will absorb some of the copper until it reaches equilibrium. In most cases it is a very small amount and if you are monitoring regularly, you should be fine.
I use Cuprisorb to remove any copper not just Cupramine. Usually Copper Power is what I treat with. Nothing wrong with Cupramine, other than some fish don't do well with it.
Here's a great link that points out which kind of copper works best with specific fish: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fish-and-treatment-guidelines-with-chart.283450/

 

[mike550]

Hi Mike!
The first area of concern may be that the sand from the 3 week observation may be harboring some parasites from those fish. I usually toss any sand used in a QT between new batches of fish, inverts, corals, etc.
Yes, the sand will absorb some of the copper until it reaches equilibrium. In most cases it is a very small amount and if you are monitoring regularly, you should be fine.
I use Cuprisorb to remove any copper not just Cupramine. Usually Copper Power is what I treat with. Nothing wrong with Cupramine, other than some fish don't do well with it.
Here's a great link that points out which kind of copper works best with specific fish: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fish-and-treatment-guidelines-with-chart.283450/

Thanks so much for your thoughts on this, and I really appreciate the link. This group has been super helpful to me.