Resetting a Quarantine Tank after use

[Bear Claw]

I unfortunately had two fish die at the beginning of quarantine due to an unknown sickness. I believe it was ich that didn't show up externally as the fish were young. I want to reset the tank so I can get new fish. When resetting it due to a fish having a disease, do you have to take everything out, or will the copper kill anything harmful left by the previous fish?

I am having my carpets replaced soon and have to mostly drain the tank to move it anyway, so could I drain it almost completely, or should I strip everything down? Thank you!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I unfortunately had two fish die at the beginning of quarantine due to an unknown sickness. I believe it was ich that didn't show up externally as the fish were young. I want to reset the tank so I can get new fish. When resetting it due to a fish having a disease, do you have to take everything out, or will the copper kill anything harmful left by the previous fish?

I am having my carpets replaced soon and have to mostly drain the tank to move it anyway, so could I drain it almost completely, or should I strip everything down? Thank you!

i assume you are referring to the quarantine tank and if so, drain it down and wash it down with bleach/water solution and cold water rinse until you cant smell the bleach or Vinegar/water solution and reset the tank

 

[LAReefer4Life]

After bleach/water solution and rinse clear, I always let it sit outside in the Sun for a couple of days and use Prime dechlorinator for safe measures.

 

[Bear Claw]

Awesome, thank you guys! What should I do with the media?

 

[MnFish1]

i assume you are referring to the quarantine tank and if so, drain it down and wash it down with bleach/water solution and cold water rinse until you cant smell the bleach or Vinegar/water solution and reset the tank

Just to make this clear - don't use bleach - and then vinegar. If you start with bleach and there is some left - it can cause toxic gas formation

 

[vetteguy53081]

I

Just to make this clear - don't use bleach - and then vinegar. If you start with bleach and there is some left - it can cause toxic gas formation

It was either or
I did use OR

 

[MnFish1]

I

It was either or
I did use OR

Yes - my response had nothing to do with your post. It was a reminder for the general community.

 

[MnFish1]

Awesome, thank you guys! What should I do with the media?

What media are you talking about?

 

[Bear Claw]

Do you use white vinegar?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Do you use white vinegar?

Vinegar is overrated as a way to sterilize aquariums.

Normally, you do not need to sterilize a QT between use, as anything the fish had at the end of a quarantine cycle has been moved to your DT anyway. The only exception is in your case here - where the fish died from an unknown issue BEFORE completing quarantine, then you DO need to strip the tank down and sterilize it.

500 ppm bleach works well for that, but be aware than most bleach products found in stores now have surfactants, perfumes etc added, and you should not use those. GFS still sells regular 5.25% bleach that is good to use.