diatom filter and meds

Joe Fish

Feeder Fish
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Apr 6, 2006
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southern mass
I am treating my 150 gal C/A tank for Ick
I am also running a diatom filter at the same time
I know the diatom will fiter out any free swimming parasites
But the thing I Don't know is will it filter out the medication ??
Dose anyone know the effects the diatom has on the medication if any ?

TIA for any info
 

danepatrick

Feeder Fish
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Jan 3, 2006
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louisiana, usa
not unless it is the powder with the carbon added to it. and arguably even then it won't filter out all of it. it would just keep it from working full force (the medication).
 

Joe Fish

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 6, 2006
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No Carbon just using regular diatom Powder (2 cups in a Vortex Diatom XL)
Do you think it will help with clearing the ick ?
 

danepatrick

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 3, 2006
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louisiana, usa
Joe Fish said:
No Carbon just using regular diatom Powder (2 cups in a Vortex Diatom XL)
Do you think it will help with clearing the ick ?
i would try the old fashion salt and raising the water temp and do about a 10-20% water change 3 times a week.
 

Joe Fish

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 6, 2006
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The medication is already in I used Korden Rid-Ich+
Would it hurt to add the salt also or should I wait till the medication is gone and i do a water change?
 

danepatrick

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 3, 2006
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louisiana, usa
Joe Fish said:
The medication is already in I used Korden Rid-Ich+
Would it hurt to add the salt also or should I wait till the medication is gone and i do a water change?
you can add the salt. when you do the water change, it will take out some of the med. whether you want to add some more med is up to you, but i would add a small amount of salt each time you do a water change because you are taking salt out when you do the water change.
 

guppy

Small Squiggly Thing
Apr 15, 2005
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confused, lost, and lonely
I agree, wait until you reduce the ammount of meds before adding salt as not only do they both reduce the O2 carrying capacity of the water but salt can raise the toxicity of formalin based meds http://www.novalek.com/kpd38.htm
Diatom filters do reduce the number of free swimming ich theronts and mature tomonts so while not curing the infection they do reduce the damage done by the parasite during treatment by reducing the parasite load
 

Joe Fish

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 6, 2006
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southern mass
Guppy
I took your advice and switched to the salt and heat
I got temp at 88 degrees and added your reccomended amount of salt
all fish seem to be tolarating it ok for 2 days
except for my largest red severum he has not eaten in a day and a half
which is not normal for him he is the king of the tank
and usually get his share of the food first
should I adjust somthing or wait another day or so to see if he starts eating
this guy is the nicest fish in the tank I dont want to lose him
any advice will be welcome and appreciated
 

Joe Fish

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 6, 2006
242
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southern mass
I forgot to mention that before I added salt I did a 75% water change and a real thorough gravel vac to get rid of the meds and I am still running the Diatom
For extra areation I attached the air intake hoses to the 4 AQ 70 powerheads I have on my UG filter
I also have 2 emperor 400's and a XP3 canister filter so I am sure I have plenty of movement in the water for O2 exchange
 
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