ewolfe315

I just got 2 sponge filters just in case the angels decide its time,I have not added them yet to there tank. The HOB filter that was on the tank I removed the carbon from it and this is a 20 gallon tank. I am new to these sponge filters and know diddly about them.

1) Can I add a sponge filter to a medicated tank?
2) Should I still do water changes to the tank even though its under medications?
3) If my Angels decide to lay eggs while in the tank(medicated) would the meds affect the young(that's if they do it). I am useing quick cure and it contains Formalin and Malachite green. I am currently treating the 2 Angels in there own 20 gallon tank for what appears to be Ich. Some sort of white on one of the Angels little fin thats in the front of him.

Its been one crazy day here with the heater dieing in the 55 and had to borrow 1 from the 120 gallon til the other one arrives.Then move the swordtail frye to the 55 to use the 2 1/2 for a hospital. Right now I have to do water changes to the 20 and 2 1/2 as these little tanks are being used for medical purposes as they dont have any type of media in them. Bare HOB'S running and air bubbles only.

Thanks

John

chickadee

You can add a sponge filter to a medicated tank but the meds cannot be removed by a sponge filter as there is no carbon in a sponge filter. I would not use the sponge filter with a medicated tank that you are using Quick Cure in, I would just do water changes as the duration in the use of that med is short and you could get by with only one large water change when it is finished and then use a small disposable filter with carbon in it to remove the rest of the meds.

Ich is much better killed without meds simply by raising the temperature to 85 degrees and leaving it there for 14 days instead of medicating the fish. Then you do not need to worry about the filters and filtering out meds.

The medication will tell you when to do the water changes. There is usually a schedule included with the instructions in giving the meds. With Quick Cure I believe the water change comes after 2 days and then you remove the meds but I could be wrong.

I would say that yes the meds will affect your eggs but I do not know a lot about Angels, perhaps Isabella or Butterfly would know better.

Why bare HOB filters running without media?

Rose

ewolfe315

The reason for the bare HOB's is that what I have read, you must remove the carbon or they'll suck the meds dry.

Here are the directions for the Quick Cure:

Remove carbon from filter,add 1 drop per gallon daily until cured on all fish except those of the tetra group.
FOR TETRAS add 1 drop for every 2 gallons

Thats it. BTW the temp in most of my aquariums are 82 degrees, The one with the Discus is 86 to 88. So how these Angels got Ich,not sure if it is Ich. I know Ich looks like salt usually covering the entire fish but the male Angel just has a small white blotch on his front fin.

And I had 3 sick discus,,1 died and the other 2 are in another tank trying to recover. They wont eat a thing, even attempted peas, but no luck. there fins were completely locked down and they would'nt move. They always were up at the top of the aquarium,looked like they were hiding. Plus a loss of color in them.

As of right now they are swimming around ,there fins are back to normal, coloration is coming back but they still wont eat..They wont touch any flake food,frozen brine shrimp,frozen blood worms, Algae wafers and peas. Even attempted liquid baby food and nothing.

All the water parameters in the tanks are perfect. Theres more than enough filtration and air bubbles in all the tanks. The only problem that I would guess on is the Discus got Angelfish disease, but then why did'nt the other 3 contract it. They've all been together for over 6 weeks til now. Heck they even swam together for the longest time, except when the Angels were breeding.

John

chickadee

You don't need to take the whole filter media out just the carbon. Most of them open and let you pour or remove the carbon and you can keep the rest. That way you do not need to recycle the filter later.

The temperature to get rid of Ich is 85 degrees for 14 days straight and then no medication is usually needed. You can raise the temperature of the tank by 1 degree every couple of hours or so.

If everything else is okay with the fish and they do not appear to be having symptoms of any kind, I would say let them be. They will eat when they are ready. If they are swimming normally, fins unclamped and good color they are not in distress. They will eat if they want to. Just offer it and if they say No then that is all you can do. They may just remember being sick and not trusting that the food won't make them feel bad as yet. They will not let themselves starve.

I still do not understand why one fish will get sick and another will be fine..it is a puzzle. Perhaps a fluke of genetics or something. I do hope they continue to get better and I hope I may have helped a little. If there are questions that you have that I have overlooked or not answered to your satisfaction, please let us know and if I do not know, I will try to direct the issue to someone who will know.

Rose

ewolfe315

Rose,
You have been a great help. Just to let you know the reason I took the complete cartridge out was as I said above and I also placed the cartridges in the backs of other filters (right behind the other cartridges) that have cycled. This way all I have to do is add the same exact cartridge back to where it came from.

I did this last night to the 20 gallon tank after I did a complete water change and this afternoon I did complete tests on all the parameters and everything is fine.

As for the 2 discus that are still sick, they must of been eating peas or the algae wafers overnight as this is the first time i've seen them pooping in i over 3 or 4 days. I may take a crack at adding them back to there 120 gallon tank in a day or 2.

Thank You Very Much

John.

chickadee

I am so glad that they are showing some more normal behavior and seem to be doing some better. I shall keep fingers crossed and say a couple prayers for them.

Rose

ewolfe315

Rose your prayers worked,you must be in good with the guy upstairs. I found out the Discus have hex. The other day I went to the LFS and used some Prazi Pro and bingo all those white poo started coming out and here it's there intestines(parts). Then just yesterday my main med came to take care of everything. Metronidazole. Had to wait for this med as the stores around here don't carry it.

The 2 Discus are now swimming around,1 is eating and it looks as though the healthier one is playing Dr. for the sick bugger. As soon as I see this little one eat ,I'll be the happiest person in the world.

The 2 Angels are back in the 120 gallon and I am now useing the 20 gallon tank as the q tank.

Thanks for all your help. BTW Next time you say some prayers how about asking what the winning numbers will be in the Lotto,lol..

John