QT tank with a twist

[MGM_]

Just finished battling a bout with ich that I unfortunately lost. I plan to allow my DT to go fallow for 8-10 weeks. I have a QT tank with copper solution that was used to treat a tang with ich (last fish). If I allow the tank to remain at elevated copper for 2 weeks can I use it to QT new fish? I have friend who is moving and have to take fish in two weeks. Would this be safer than to try and cycle it within two weeks? Wouldn't rupturing cysts be killed by the copper and pose little threat to new fish?

FWIW..No it doesn't look like I have anyone else that can take the fish. Please relegate responses to existing QT or cycle new water. Currently no other options available and hoping something else comes up but need a base plan..

Regards

[Agu]

If I had ich in the QT at any time I'd drain it, clean everything with fresh water, completely dry everything out, and start over with no chance of the parasite in the tank. If the fish you're getting aren't infested why risk infecting them?

You may have to do more water changes but IMHO that beats the alternative.

[MGM_]

Thanks. That was my line of thinking as well but have not had much luck with "virgin" QT setup. Even with liberal water changes I always lose the fish. Weighing risk of uncycled water vs copper treated that has been exposed to ich. Not sure if copper presence gives reasonable assurance that all free swimming parasites will be killed.

[Ron Reefman]

Thanks. That was my line of thinking as well but have not had much luck with "virgin" QT setup. Even with liberal water changes I always lose the fish. Weighing risk of uncycled water vs copper treated that has been exposed to ich. Not sure if copper presence gives reasonable assurance that all free swimming parasites will be killed.

I can't say one way or the other on the copper issue, I've never had to use it.

But the 'virgin' QT being an issue has me puzzled. I have been doing a new QT set up every time we come home from the Keys (anything caught wild goes in QT for a minimum of 6-8 weeks) or on the rare occasion that I get a new fish. I just did my Mueller's Butterfly for 4 weeks in a 20g QT. I moved it into the DT and a Purple Tang went after it with reckless abandon! I caught the tang and it is now getting a 'time out' in the QT. I only have to change out about 2-3 gallons a day to keep water parameters in check. Do you have any idea why you have lost fish in the QT with 'virgin' water?

[MGM_]

I guess I should have said "uncycled" since I can't take any from my DT.