Live rock and hyposalinity

[lubyone1]

I have a tang in QT and he's developed ich. I know I need to pull the live rock out of qt because all the bacteria on it will die during hypo and potentially cause an ammonia spike.

Can anyone give me some suggestions on what to do with the rock? - Should I put it in a bucket for 6 weeks with some flow....
- Should I just let it dry out for a few days and then put it back in my sump...
- can I leave it in qt with the tang?

Thanks for the help!

 

[kraze3]

WHy not put it in your DT?

 

[lubyone1]

Couldn't Ich be on the live rock since its been in a tank with an infected fish?

 

[kraze3]

I guess its possible. Anything is possible. I would either just leave the rock in there and the hypo will kill it making it just base rock. You could also take it out and dry it, making it base rock. Once its dead wash it thoroughly and you can put in your DT.

Its easier just to keep LR out of the QT tank. Just add some PVC for hinding and youll be all set. If you want to leave that rock in there for looks only you could. If the tank is ever treated with any meds, dont put the rock in DT.

 

[lubyone1]

Yea normally I don't put rock in QT but I had the tank setup to keep my inverts during red bug treatment and figured the shrimp/crabs would like some rock to pick at. Never took em out before I got the tang and then saw he had ich and was confused on what to do.

I'll probably end up throwing the rock outside to dry and then put it back into the DT after rinsing it....I don't feel like keeping it in a bucket for 6 weeks trying to "kill" any ich parasites that managed to hide in the rock.

I've been told that leaving it in for hypo could cause an ammonia spike from the bacteria die off on the rock.

Thanks for your help Kraze!