Reducing water level to 50% for tank treatment?

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batang_mcdo

Polypterus
MFK Member
Apr 24, 2006
2,110
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Manila
I'm planning to treat my fish, problem is my tank is 300 Gallons and it would be realy expensive to treat the whole tank, but i don't have any other spare tank.
would it be ok to reduce the level of the water by 50%?
1 of my other problem is my filters are a 75 gallon sump with overflow, and a 4 feet overhead type trickle filter. tank inhabitants are an 18 inch arowana and 2 indo datnoid.
if i were to reduce the water level. the sump won't work anymore. treatment is expected for 5 days, the medication does not affect bio filter.
how do you know if the trickle filter will have enough bacteria to support with the sump turned off?
also how do i make sure that the bacteria in the sump survives?
any suggestions?
 
Seems like a lot of hassle and risk to try and save a few bucks.
 
I mean I suppose that it would work. Keeping you bacteria alive in your sump would mean it would need oxygen which would be tough in a sump system that is not running. Chances are you would not be able to keep the BB alive in the sump without it running. A 4 ft trickle with what type of media? if you have a good large surface area bio media in there that is seeded it should support your fish just fine. You will more than likely lose your BB in your sump, what are you treating with and for?
 
Personally i would treat the entire tank. may cost u more in the long run not to. You may have to re treat. I would treat every part of the aquarium that touches water. Including the sump. If you are treating for parasites or bacteria the sump will harbour both untill your treatmen t is over. Than when you get the sump going you will be pumping the undesirables back into your tank.
 
What are you treating the tank with? If all the equipment is not included in the treatment, some of the disease may survive and come back when the tank is re-started.

Many aquarium products also come in "pond" form which is the same thing just more concentrated so that it is easier to treat large tanks.
 
Throw in raw shrimp and a powerhead in the sump and it will have enough ammonia for a few days
 
thanks :) I'm just treating with baxter arowana appetite enhancer.
a bottle is about 17 usd, to treat my tank for a week, it would take 2 bottles :)
I can reruote the pipes going into the main tank to circulate the water in the sump.
just a little hesitant if the OHF filter will be able to handle the load.
media are bio balls filter floss and some matala mats.
 
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