QT/Hospital tank filter cleaning - what do you do?

**fishmommie** · 02-15-2013, 03:23 PM

Hey all
I always run an extra filter in my 90 so I have something to use in a QT or hospital tank. My question is, what do you routinely do with a filter/media that was used in a QT for a sick fish?
Seems it would be unwise to not disinfecting it, but that means losing all the BB - which is a problem if I need that extra filter for new fish or another sick fish before the filter media gets seeded again.

So what do you all do? Assume that if the fish is healthy again, the filter is safe to put back on my main tank? Or disinfect and start over.
I know I could borrow some media from another filter if push came to shove, but my choice would be to simply put this filter back on another tank so it's ready if I need it.
Thanks

**imma24** · 02-15-2013, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by fishmommie

Hey all
I always run an extra filter in my 90 so I have something to use in a QT or hospital tank. My question is, what do you routinely do with a filter/media that was used in a QT for a sick fish?
Seems it would be unwise to not disinfecting it, but that means losing all the BB - which is a problem if I need that extra filter for new fish or another sick fish before the filter media gets seeded again.

So what do you all do? Assume that if the fish is healthy again, the filter is safe to put back on my main tank? Or disinfect and start over.
I know I could borrow some media from another filter if push came to shove, but my choice would be to simply put this filter back on another tank so it's ready if I need it.
Thanks

I've always just transferred my QT filter back and forth - I never bothered to clean or disinfect the media (only clean if it needs it). I've seen recommended to use a sponge filter because they are cheap to replace if you are dealing with an ill fish.

I'm sure others do different things though depending whether meds are used or if fish come in with an illness.

**fishmommie** · 02-15-2013, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by andreahp

I'm sure others do different things though depending whether meds are used or if fish come in with an illness.

Yeah, that's my issue now. I have medicated this tank to get the fish healthy again - which he seems to be. My worry is, I don't really know what was wrong with him. I think he had an injury near his dorsal and then a bacterial infection set in. so I used metro+ for 5 days along with daily w/C and he now looks great. BUT not knowing for certain what was wrong with him, I hesitate to put the filter back on my 90 just in case what he had could be transferred to that tank.

**mizzoutank** · 02-15-2013, 03:59 PM

I use sponge filters for my QT,

So I bought 2 (like 10bucks each) and got them rated for 2x the size of the QT at a min. the reason being, is so when you set up the QT, you have the recommend 2x filtration and 2x BB established. (better to have more than less..ya know)

so like now, I have my QT set up.
The one sponge filter I took from the main is now in QT.
The other sponge was on the shelf, now that is in my main tank currently seeding for the next round of QT.

Once I'm finished with QT, I clean the crap out of the sponge filter to remove the meds/funky stuff I dont want to risk in my main tank.
then that sits on the shelf.

then repeat the process for every time I set up a QT.

I also, shoved the sponge filters to fit on my HOB's (in the main tank), so i didn't buy 2 air pumps. I just use the air pump on the QT.

**fishmommie** · 02-15-2013, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by mizzoutank

I use sponge filters for my QT,

So I bought 2 (like 10bucks each) and got them rated for 2x the size of the QT at a min. the reason being, is so when you set up the QT, you have the recommend 2x filtration and 2x BB established. (better to have more than less..ya know)

so like now, I have my QT set up.
The one sponge filter I took from the main is now in QT.
The other sponge was on the shelf, now that is in my main tank currently seeding for the next round of QT.

Once I'm finished with QT, I clean the crap out of the sponge filter to remove the meds/funky stuff I dont want to risk in my main tank.
then that sits on the shelf.

then repeat the process for every time I set up a QT.

I also, shoved the sponge filters to fit on my HOB's (in the main tank), so i didn't buy 2 air pumps. I just use the air pump on the QT.

Good idea on the sponges.
I think I'll not take any chances and clean this filter good and disinfect it. Pick up and extra filter and do the rotating thing. makes sense and my fish won't be jeopardized just in case there is something in the qt filter that could be passed to my other fish.
thanks