Can bio media in a hospital tank be reused

[AnthonyA9953]

I recently ordered a CB angel from LA and when I received it it had Popeye in both eyes and it’s currently in an acclimation box and the fish seems almost like he’s blind. I have yet to receive an email response from LA so I’ve taken it upon myself to treat the Popeye. I’ve done my research and I’ve concluded that I’m going to dose kanaplex. However I’ve never Qt’d so all of this is new to me. Right now I have two marine pure tiles that have been in my tank for a year. I was wondering if once I use the tiles in the hospital tank with the medicine if they can be cleaned and put back in the main sump. And what would be the process for doing so. Thanks.

[JUNBUG361]

No it’s exposed to chemicals, might leak in your main tank & create problems (IMO)

[Dmorty217]

Originally Posted by AnthonyA9953

I recently ordered a CB angel from LA and when I received it it had Popeye in both eyes and it’s currently in an acclimation box and the fish seems almost like he’s blind. I have yet to receive an email response from LA so I’ve taken it upon myself to treat the Popeye. I’ve done my research and I’ve concluded that I’m going to dose kanaplex. However I’ve never Qt’d so all of this is new to me. Right now I have two marine pure tiles that have been in my tank for a year. I was wondering if once I use the tiles in the hospital tank with the medicine if they can be cleaned and put back in the main sump. And what would be the process for doing so. Thanks.

Use Epsom salt for Popeye while you wait on the kanaplex. It will provide relief. With both eyes having Popeye I would suspect bacterial. Yes you can reuse the ceramic tiles, they just need to be 100% dry between uses to not possibly reinfect a otherwise clean QT if kept wet (with live bacteria). They do not absorb meds in my experience.

[AnthonyA9953]

Ok so after dosing medicine with the marine pure I can just dry it and add it back?

[WVfishguy]

Originally Posted by AnthonyA9953

Ok so after dosing medicine with the marine pure I can just dry it and add it back?

Exopthalmos (pop-eye) is usually bacteria. I see it a lot on marine angels. I hate it - it often results in the loss of an eye.

I would use a 25% bleach solution to soak the tiles. Maybe for an hour, or even less. Of course, this will kill useful bacteria - but the bacteria should grow back in a few weeks.

You can remove the bleach by rinsing it off under the tap and then soaking it for another hour in a sodium thiosulphate (de-chlor) solution. About two tablespoons of de-chlor per gallon of fresh water.

You can buy dry sodium thiosulphate through Angels Plus. Mix it with distilled water, and you have all the dechlorinating solution you want. It's remarkably cheap this way, and you can use it to neutralize chlorine in tap water or get rid of chlorine bleach whenever you need to sterilize something (an aquarium, rockwork, etc.)

When I had my maintenance business, I bought bleach by the case. Used several gallons a week. Ruined every shirt I owned before I wised up and began wearing smocks.

[Dmorty217]

Originally Posted by AnthonyA9953

Ok so after dosing medicine with the marine pure I can just dry it and add it back?

Yes ceramic won't absorb meds. I usually bake my tiles in the oven at 350 for a hr in between QT sterilization

[AnthonyA9953]

Ok thanks for all the responses!

[WVfishguy]

Originally Posted by Dmorty217

Yes ceramic won't absorb meds. I usually bake my tiles in the oven at 350 for a hr in between QT sterilization

Glazed ceramic won't absorb anything, but open ceramic, like flower pots and ceramic biomedia can and will act like sponges. I agree that oven drying would cleanse ceramics, and so will bleach. Heat will also eliminate bleach as well.

[Dmorty217]

Originally Posted by WVfishguy

Glazed ceramic won't absorb anything, but open ceramic, like flower pots and ceramic biomedia can and will act like sponges. I agree that oven drying would cleanse ceramics, and so will bleach. Heat will also eliminate bleach as well.

I have used them with copper and chloroquine phosphate, along with praziquantel, NFG powder and a few other meds with no issues of meds leeching. I don't always bake them either but when I know disease was present I do. Reusing any media without somehow disinfecting is just foolish. Good to know about the ceramic, thank you.