Restarting Tank Help

BillB83

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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
  • 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.
Phase 2: Rock Sterilization & Preparation
  • 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.
Phase 3: System Restart
  • 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
 

Fish Fan

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I think this is a better place for your questions 🙂

Following and good luck!
 

vetteguy53081

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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
  • 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.
Phase 2: Rock Sterilization & Preparation
  • 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.
Phase 3: System Restart
  • 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
Rock in bleach for 48 hrs is sufficient but plan looks good. Add rock after cleaning to a clean bucket of seawater and add liquid bacteria to it for 72 hours using MicroBacteria XLM or Fritz zyme 9000 to help seed some culture
 

dinosaur_1552

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I would just elevate temperature a bit and let it be without fish for the minimum 45 days (I think), in the meantime you can treat the fish in a hospital tank.

This worked for me in the past multiple times to eradicate ich.
 

Euphyllia97

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What is the reason for not just doing a fallow period? I believe at normal reef tank temperatures 60 days should get rid of any parasite? Resetting and cycling will take around the same time to make it safe for your puffer, no?
 

Freenow54

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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
  • 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.
Phase 2: Rock Sterilization & Preparation
  • 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.
Phase 3: System Restart
  • 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
I question your UV setup. If it isn't done properly obviously not doing a thing. I understand that according to the majority that it wont cure it but if your fish are healthy I understood that it would go away. I sincerely would check all the necessary requirements for your UV remembering if your light is UV-C rated its effective output is 35% according to popular beliefs and should be changed every 9 months or at least annually. Also check your flow rate for Parasite control . I realize this is obvious but.........
 

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