Rinsing Chemi-Pure Elite?

[tirtza]

I'm changing out the bag of Chemi-Pure Elite in my tank and I know that it should be rinsed first. In the past, I've always done this right after a water change and so I've used the 'old' tank water to rinse the Chemi-Pure.
The problem I have now is:
First......
I've had a 10 gallon QT set up for almost 2 months without any fish in it. I have a sponge (that had been in my sump) in the QT filter. Since the QT has been there without any fish I was told the 'good' bacteria could die off because there isn't enough 'stuff' (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) to feed it. A guy at my LFS that this problem could be solved by replacing some of the QT water (he suggested 50%) with water that I take out of my DT during a water change. Is this true? Should I replace 5 gallons of water in the QT with the old 5 gallons of water from the DT?
Secondly....
If I use the water I take out of my DT and put it in the QT, then what water should I use to rinse the bag of Chemi-Pure? Is tap water okay or should I use RO water? How well should the bag of Chemi-Pure be rinsed? (last time I replaced it, I made a huge mistake and didn't rinse the bag....my water became really dark and cloudy, but it cleared up after a few hours. Luckily it didn't harm anything. This time I will definitely rinse the bag!!
Thanks for your help!

 

[slice]

Using old DT water to change out QT water will do nothing to help your bacteria population in the QT. I would ghost feed the QT with flake food to keep the bacteria alive...I'm assuming the QT has continued to run filters, heaters and such.
If you allow all the bacteria to die, you have to establish the cycle all over again. Just test the QT water every so often to make sure the bacteria is keeping up with the nutrients (food) you are feeding it. When the nitrates are higher than you want, THEN use DT water to do a water change in the QT.
It is my understanding that you can rinse the Chemi-Pure in tap water, that is what I have done in the past, just let it drain before putting it in your system.

 

[mr. limpid]

What I read is that your sponge that you are using for the filter on your QT was in your sump of your DT. If this is true then you are good because the bacteria on this sponge has been feeding from your DT waste. As for using water from your DT this has no effect on bacteria since bacteria does not live in the water column, but on the surface of items in your tank LR; LS; sponges; etc. Its been a couple of months since I used chemi-pure but I know there is directions on the bottle, I would follow what the manufacture suggest.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by tirtza http:///t/391218/rinsing-chemi-pure-elite#post_3468369
I'm changing out the bag of Chemi-Pure Elite in my tank and I know that it should be rinsed first. In the past, I've always done this right after a water change and so I've used the 'old' tank water to rinse the Chemi-Pure.
The problem I have now is:
First......
I've had a 10 gallon QT set up for almost 2 months without any fish in it. I have a sponge (that had been in my sump) in the QT filter. Since the QT has been there without any fish I was told the 'good' bacteria could die off because there isn't enough 'stuff' (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) to feed it. A guy at my LFS that this problem could be solved by replacing some of the QT water (he suggested 50%) with water that I take out of my DT during a water change. Is this true? Should I replace 5 gallons of water in the QT with the old 5 gallons of water from the DT?
Secondly....
If I use the water I take out of my DT and put it in the QT, then what water should I use to rinse the bag of Chemi-Pure? Is tap water okay or should I use RO water? How well should the bag of Chemi-Pure be rinsed? (last time I replaced it, I made a huge mistake and didn't rinse the bag....my water became really dark and cloudy, but it cleared up after a few hours. Luckily it didn't harm anything. This time I will definitely rinse the bag!!
Thanks for your help!
I have never just kept a QT just running...
I break down and clean my 10g QT after each use. When I am ready for a new critter, I get my trusty extra tank out and put water from the display in it...a WC basically.
I do keep a sponge in the display sump....I use that sponge and the water from the DT to set up the QT when I need it. I use little HOB overflow type penguin filter and a piece of plastic (some use PVC pipe) for the fish to feel safe and the QT is all set up within a day....I order the new fish and watch for any ammonia spikes...which has never happened, the QT always worked just like a cycled tank should..

 

[tirtza]

Thanks guys (and gals
The only reason I've been continuously running the QT without actually using was because I was hoping/expecting to find the fish I've been looking for (an 'African' Midas Blenny) and I wanted to be ready. I recently decided that I'm just going to order it online along with the Royal Gramma that I've been wanting. I plan on QT-ing them at the same time (with a mesh net that's built to seperate the 10 gallon QT in half). Right now I just want to make sure I have the $$ ready to order the fish!
I've definitely been keeping the filter/heater/powerhead running in it this whole time. After I use the QT I plan on taking it appart and only setting it up again in case of emergencies (hospital tank) or if I happen to need it to QT something again.
Quote:
What I read is that your sponge that you are using for the filter on your QT was in your sump of your DT. If this is true then you are good because the bacteria on this sponge has been feeding from your DT waste
The problem is that the sponge hasn't been in the DT since I set up the QT nearly 2 months ago. Would the bacteria still be alive and well?
How often and how much should I ghost feed the QT? I'll test the water in the QT and see how it looks, if I need to do a water change then water I'll use the water I took out of the DT.
If I use tap water to rinse the Chemi-Pure, does it need to be completely dry before I place it in my DT?

 

[mr. limpid]

You should ghost feed as if you were keeping a fish in your QT, in your case like you are keeping the two fish. You would probably have had some die off of bacteria in 2 months, I would start ghost feeding now, wait 10 days (continue daily feeding) then test prams. Here what I found about chemi-pure instructions. This what I remembered what was on the container.
Instructions:
Keep Chemi-Pure package sealed until ready for use. Be sure to place Chemi-Pure in an area of your filter that is large enough to accept the amount needed. Use the formula supplied to figure the amount of Chemi-Pure you need. Do not divide packages under any circumstances.
Do not open filter bag. Remove by turning bottle upside down and shaking. Rinse lightly and place bag in filter and flatten out as much as possible. Any area not filled by the bag should be packed evenly with glass or Dacron filter wool and then place a thin layer of the same over bag. Change wool and rinse off bag when flow-through filter decreases.

 

[spanko]

If you don't have the fish yet and don't plan to get them soon (another week or so) I would not ghost feed the tank. Why foul the water? I would place the sponge back in the chambers of your tank and let it repopulate that way. I would test the QT water and see how it is chemically and the Sg. If there is some nitrate do a small water change of a gallon or so to keep the water "tuned up" and keep the heater and pump going. This water will end up being just like the water you set up getting ready for a water change only ready for the QT and all setup in the QT tank.The goal here is to keep the water in good condition. Then when you are ready to get the fish a day or so before put the sponge back in the QT.
Rinse the Chemipure in tap water and let it drain out most of the water. Does not have to be dry. You also don't need to rinse the bejeesus out of it. Just get the dark black out. If the water is still running gray under the tap that is okay.
JMO