QT tear down after fish death??

[tang_man_montreal]

I'm wondering what is the proper way to handle this?
I just had a clown die due to brookynella in my QT. From what I've read, the tank should be torn down, cleaned/disinfected and put back up.
What steps should be taken exactly for the tank AND mechanical filters?
And by cleaning out the tank, etc, does that mean that the tank will have to cycle once again???
If that's the case, what's the use of having a filter on a QT if I have to wait for it to cycle each time? I might as well just have good circulation in the tank, and do a water change every couple of days....
Am I mistaken?

 

[beth]

I don't know what the life cycle of this parasite is, so perhaps Terry can answer this. Obviously the parasite must feed to live and reproduce, thus it requires a host fish. So, just leaving the tank wo a "host" for xxx time should do the job.
Alternatively, you could add formalin to your QT, leave the tank wo fish. Then, once clear of parasites, do a complete water change and then replace your filter pads, etc. If you place clean [replacement] filter pads, media, etc., targeted for your QT in your main tank or sump for a week or more, this will charge the filters to use for your QT with the bacteria it needs to avoid any serious cycle.
Any time you medicate a QT, even with antibiotics, your biofilter is going to take a hit. Simply placing new [unused] pads or whatever filter media you intend to use for your QT in your main tank for some "seeding" will do for keeping the QT biofilter charged.
Never put any previously used media/filter pads, etc., that have been in your QT in to your display.

 

[tang_man_montreal]

Beth,
Thanks for the reply...
I knew that I shouldn't put the old filter pads into my display.. But good reminder nonetheless.
As for my QT. I tried the Coppersafe treatment in it. So there's copper in there. What should I do?
1) Drain the tank, rinse, put new water? or
2) Let the filter run for a while? wait 28 days for any parasite to die? or
3) Put new filter pads in display tank's sump to "seed", wait 28 days for any parasite to die off in QT, do 1/2 water change, put seeded filter pads in filter??
Other recommendation?
ALSO...
Hypo question:
Can't I have a QT with SG set at 1.009 BEFORE adding a fish in there? Then acclimate the fish in the bag slowly over 3-4 hours to that SG? I'd think it's less stress on the fish, ie: not having to witness water changes so soon after being introduced to the QT.
Whatcha think?

 

[beth]

Well, copper really isn't effective for brook, only formalin. Hopefully, Terry will see this post and tell us what the lifecycle is for brook. If its short like with ich, you can just wait it out. In any case, you will have to replace all your water, as you don't want copper in the QT permanently. You should also replace your filter meida, etc. But, lets see if Terry gives an answer.
As for the hypo question. NO, fish can not be acclimated over a few hrs to a 1.009 SG. 48 hrs is optimum, it can be done within 24. If you have done hypo water changes, you know just how little salt there is in hypo-ed conditions compared to what is normal for marine fish. Obviously, when dropping SG, fish stress and well-being is your primary gage. Hypo should be achieved with several small incremental water changes over an extended period. Patience pays in the long run.

 

[tang_man_montreal]

Terry, your thoughts?