10gallonmadness

To get ride of this nasty fungal infection on a glowlight I need to dose every 7 days with Pimafix and Melafix. What should I do with my filter media? Should I tank a small amount of tank water out of my tank and put it in a bowl and put the media in there or something like that?

Jaysee

Depends on the media. If it's a cartridge, it'll have to go snce the carbon will remove the meds. If you're able to cut away the mechanical part you can save the bacteria colonies living on it. Now, if you have some filter pad you can put the cut out media in front of it in the filter and preserve the cycle. Otherwse, take your new cartridge and empty out the carbon by cutting a slit or something - depends on the cart. Place the cut out media in front of the new carbonless cart.

You want to keep the media from drying out during the process.

10gallonmadness

I already have a sponge, but if I cut the mechiancal part out what should I do with it?

Jaysee

What kind of filter is it and what medias do you use?

If the aquatec has a sponge, then leave it in while you medicate. You just don't want any carbon.

10gallonmadness

The filter is an Aquatec 5-15. It had the normal media it comes with and a sponge I put in.

Jaysee

Aquatec is a brand I'm not familiar with. The sponge will maintain your cycle, provided it's been in there long enough.

10gallonmadness

It's been in there a good 3-4 months maybe more.

Jaysee

Then your good.

Does aquatec use cartridges? If so, whether you keep or throw out the current cart. depends IMO on how long it's been in there. If you're near the end of the cart. life, then throw it out. If it's relatively new, save it. If you save it, it won't be neccessary to keep it in water since the bacteria wll die without a daily source of ammonia. Plus, since you have the sponge it'll take a lot less time for the bacteria to re-colonate the re-used media.

I would rinse it off quickly before re-using it as I've had all kinds of get blown off the media and into the tank when doing ths.

10gallonmadness

It's nearing the end. But I just did a WC yesterday or 2 days ago and all the beneficial bacteria might not be seeded yet. But do you think the cartridge should be tossed its been in a long time 6-7 weeks maybe? Boy, these sponges are lifesavers.

Jaysee

The bacteria primarly lives in the filter - there is very little in the actual water so water changes don't have any affect on an established tank. There is bacteria that floats in the water, but only for transpotation to a new site to colonize.

Cart. should be replaced every month if the tank is well stocked and can go longer if it's understocked. That's the problem with traditional cart. systems - you end up tossing the biofilter every month. That's why a dedicated biofilter, lke the sponge you have, is imperative to maintaining the cycle of such filters.

10gallonmadness

I was thinking about the gravel but it doesn't seem to matter. Thanks for the help.

Also the sponge isnt very big. Do you think that would matter?

Jaysee

That's okay. It takes a while for a bacteria colony to be established, but once it is the colony grows very fast. You'll likely see a small spike (no more than 0.5 PPM) in ammonia, but IME it shouldn't last more than a day or two.

10gallonmadness

Just treated with 5ml of Pima and melafix.

Jaysee

Good luck!

AlyeskaGirl

Wait!! Your aquarium info says you have a betta in there, not suppose to use Melafix on them!! You need to do a WC asap, if you still have the Betta.

Important Betta Topics - Read First!

Pimafix and Melafix do not kill the beneficial bacteria, it's all natural, I've used it in one of my tank with no problems. You dose daily, then on the 7th day you do a 25% water change. It would be a good idea to q-tine the Tetra, if it's just that one, no sense in treating everybody if they not sick. Then doing 10-20% daily water changes on the main tank to keep the water clean would be a good idea.

10gallonmadness

I just managed to get him in his cup full of new water. I hope its not to late.

Jaysee

I've never had an issue with using them with bettas, but I've always followed the directoins and kept them in "larger" tanks. I think issues arrise when overdosing small tanks....

10gallonmadness

I'm all messed up now. Betta's out of the tank, I don't know how much chemicals are IN the tank now because I did a WC, and I willahve to acclimate the betta back into the tank, and now im reading mixed opinions,errrgggggggggggggggggggggggggg

Jaysee

Putting carbon back in the filter will remove the meds. I would do that, put the betta back in and come up with a new plan for tomorrow.

I was not disagreeing with the melafix warning - just sharing my own experiences.

Your betta isn't going to die from that brief exposure.