Quarantine Tank Maintenance

[Gdel]

Hi there, I’ve got a quarantine tank up and running with fish and Copper Power. I’ve ramped up the copper slowly, checking levels with my Hannah checker and the fish are eating and seem healthy and active.

I read that copper will kill off the good organisms in my tank along with the bad so I plan on doing water changes from my cycled display. Do others think that a 20% water change per week (two gallons in my case) would be sufficient? Each time I do a water change I’ll need to re-dose the copper and test again so it’s a bit of a hassle, and the copper testing packets are expensive.

Just curious what process others follow. Thank you....

 

[ActiveAngel]

Depends on the fish that are in quarantine. Water changes will reduce toxins (ammonia, Nitrites, nitrates), and potentially replenish oxygen. Of course, it’ll also reduce copper, so you’ll have to add a little more copper after each water change.

But if your fish are larger like some tangs, more active such as anthias, or multiple fish... then you would have to do more water changes than if you were QTing just a singe small yasha goby (for example) that just sits on the bottom most of the time.

 

[Gdel]

Hi there, I have two clowns and a Chromas in QT now. I guess what I’ll do is start by changing two gallons per week and just watch my ammonia badge. If it starts creeping up then I’ll do another water change. There’s no way I can avoid the cost of testing copper so that’s just part of the expense of starting with healthy fish. Thanks and any additional feedback is appreciated!

 

[ActiveAngel]

Yes, and Keep agitating the water surface with a pump, skimmer, or filter, in order to prevent a film developing and inhibiting oxygen transfer into the water.

 

[00Dan]

Do you have a working biofilter? If yes I would say don’t bother with water changes in a fish only QT. Fish will tolerate high nitrite and nitrate just fine.
if you don’t, copper power can safely be combined with Prime for temporary ammonia control.

One note on water changes - the new water needs to be dosed with copper BEFORE it goes in the tank. Otherwise that temporary drop in copper concentration, if large enough to drop below therapeutic levels, resets your 14 or 30 day copper treatment timer.

 

[00Dan]

Yes, and Keep agitating the water surface with a pump, skimmer, or filter, in order to prevent a film developing and inhibiting oxygen transfer into the water.

I would recommend against a skimmer in a tank with medicated water.