have a tank that Im pretty sure has ich in it and the only thing keeping other fish from getting it atm is my UV and their immune systems. I plan on taking the fish out and sending them through a QT and resetting the tank. Whats the best way to do this? Empty drain water and just run tap water through the whole system for a few days ? i would rather not get rid of the sand. I will be removing all the rock and redoing the whole scape as well.
My plan is below let me know if there are areas of improvement.
Phase 1: Tank Breakdown & Cleaning
The reason i am resetting the tank isnt for the current fish its because i had to remove my puffer from the tank who HAD ich. He did his time in a QT for a month and is now by himself in a temp tank until i can get him back into the 120.
My biggest question here is will running tap water through the tank/sump pumps etc for any given amount of time kill all the unwanted fish disease ?
Thanks
Bill
My plan is below let me know if there are areas of improvement.
Phase 1: Tank Breakdown & Cleaning
- Drain all old saltwater from the tank
- Remove all rockwork and place it in a separate container
- Fill the tank with tap water
- Run equipment (powerheads/pumps) for 3-4 days to keep debris suspended.
- Stir the sand bed thoroughly each day to release trapped waste.
- After 3-4 days, drain and discard the dirty water.
- Fully submerge rocks in a water/bleach solution and soak for 7 days
- Rinse rocks thoroughly.
- Soak rocks in fresh water with a double dose of de-chlorinator for 24 hours
- Remove rocks and allow them to dry completely in the sun (preferred) or a well-ventilated area.
- Create new scape with the clean, dry rock.
- Fill the tank with freshly mixed saltwater.
- Begin the new cycle with some dr tims
The reason i am resetting the tank isnt for the current fish its because i had to remove my puffer from the tank who HAD ich. He did his time in a QT for a month and is now by himself in a temp tank until i can get him back into the 120.
My biggest question here is will running tap water through the tank/sump pumps etc for any given amount of time kill all the unwanted fish disease ?
Thanks
Bill

