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Advice? What kind of filtration on a QT for ich?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Derek, Apr 5, 2016.

  1. Apr 5, 2016 #1
    Derek Cedar Rapids

    Derek

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    I currently have a 55 gallon tank used for Hyposalinity/ich treatment. I have a small bio wheel filter on it that I'm sure does nothing, a reactor with Chemi-pure and a big canister filter that has ammonia remover, carbon and bio pellets in it.

    I can't keep the Nitrite and Nitrate at a low level with this set up.

    Since I'm running the tank at 1.009 salinity, I'm sure the bio balls and bio wheel aren't doing much for the tank. I recently acquired a used HOB skimmer, will this help also or do I need to add something else to keep the nitrites and nitrates in check?
     
  2. Apr 5, 2016 #2
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    I think when you start doing medication, and hypo any biological filtration is pretty much wiped out. I think to keep your levels in check you pretty much have to do continuous water changes. The canister filter should be helping, although I'm not sure what effect the bio pellets would have in there.

    Now if you are just using a holding tank for monitoring fish you can have a sponge filter or canister filter and probably handle things pretty well. Still with only minimal biological filtration, water changes are going to be needed frequently.
     
  3. Apr 5, 2016 #3
    jeremy Davenport, IA

    jeremy Acro Addict

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    How long have bio pellets been going. Takes 8 weeks for them to get going. Not sure what effects medication and hypo have on them.
     
  4. Apr 5, 2016 #4
    Derek Cedar Rapids

    Derek

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    They've only been going for about 2 weeks...
     
  5. Apr 5, 2016 #5
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    Dont worry about nitrates, use prime for ammonia control, air stones, water changes, PVC pipe. Water changes, filter socks are your friend.

    Also you dont want to medicate if you are using hypo. Choose one or the other.
     
  6. Apr 6, 2016 #6
    Derek Cedar Rapids

    Derek

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    What about Nitrites? Since the salinity is around 1.009 and it's a bare bottom QT, there isn't much bacteria to change the Nitrites to Nitrates is there? What should be used to change nitrites to nitrates?
     
  7. Apr 6, 2016 #7
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    Ammonia is what you really need to worry about.

    Get an ammonia badge like this

    Seachem - Ammonia Alert

    A little bit of nitrates wont hurt your fish. Water changes, and some prime to keep ammonia under control is all you need.

    I know it is hard to go against everything we do to set up a reef tank.
     

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