Does copper stay with ceramic rings and protein skimmer?

I had some leftover live rock and sand I cannot fit in my tank so I decided to set up a secondary adjustment/observation tank for new arrivals with just a couple pieces of live rock. I am also using a BakPak on there filled with ceramic rings that I hope to use on temporary quarantine/hospital tanks. My hope when getting new fish is to do a few weeks in a medicated tank with PrazilPro followed by 1-2 months in the observation tank.


If I need to treat anything in the hospital tank with something harsher like Cupramine would this mean the BakPak could never be used on the second tank if it was thoroughly rinsed first? I was just hoping I could use it as a portable biological filter.


I keep low stocking levels and have never had an issue with disease or fish loss but just think it's time I do things the right way as far as introducing new fish.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I definitely view both as sort of a 2-step quarantine. One would never have medication in it but serve as more of a low-stress observation area. The medicated tank would never have rock or sand. I think you pretty much answered my question though…I could never use that filter on the non-medicated tank even after washing if ever exposed to the medication.

Thanks again, I will revisit my strategy. I understand the tank transfer and hypo salinity but those are limited in their effectiveness with things like flukes and velvet aren't they? I thought those were more of a strategy for battling Ich??

 

Sharkks, there are 2 schools of thought with quarantining processes. 1- proactive treatment with medication dips or baths, and such. OR 2- watch, treat if necessary. (hyposalinity).

Personally if your just bringing in a new fish *no suspected or visible problems, I would just put the fish in normal sea water (not hypo, not medicated... just aged saltwater from your system). And let time be your best friend. I've seen more successful introductions of delicate fish by just watching instead of blasting with meds or hypo treatment off the bat. I personally don't take chances and have pretty extensive QT process, but then again- I have never had a problem spread, and have only needed to treat as needed. Observation is sometimes your best defense. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/wink.gif

I would agree with Turbo that the HOB skimmer and/or mechanical filtration should stay dedicated to that QT tank. I run most of my fish 6-10 weeks in QT before they are introduced (pending species)... so I just always leave a tank up for it. I also thoroughly bleach the tank and equipment between fish though, I leave nothing to risk.

Just sayin... good luck though! Feel free to ask any other questions though.

 

Yeah, thanks for that. Obviously I have always adopted the path of doing the least invasive approach of all by simply not quarantining. Clearly I have been lucky or my insanely low stocking levels have simply allowed fish to naturally resist anything introduced. I have actually been thinking about all of this because I want to consider adding a blue hippo tang. I have never kept one and want to ensure the best chances by acclimating one in an isolated, quiet tank that matches the display tank parameters. That got me thinking if I could just expand on the idea with a sterile treatment aquarium either proactively or in case of emergency.

I think I will stick closer to my usual approach and let them have an observation period with no treatment unless necessary…as you said letting time be my friend. Thanks again for the feedback.

 

That is really good insight. I would not be shocked if my tank has ich, not because I have observed it but because I have never taken measures to prevent it. I did go nearly 7 months without adding new fish so if it is there it should be a weakened strain but there is nothing like adding a blue tang to fire it right up if it is!