Skimmer bad idea for a QT tank with medications?

[DamnPepShrimp]

I am setting up a couple of QT tanks after a bad disease outbreak which seems like velvet. I am going to be treating with copper and also prazipro to new fish, along with whatever else may be needed. I've been told a skimmer will remove the meds, is this true? I have a couple spare skimmers laying around I could use to help out with keeping params in check. Good idea or bad?

 

[SALT WATER CRAZ]

I would think the skimmer would pull out the meds just like a uv or carbon would.

 

[DamnPepShrimp]

That's what I thought, but I'd just like to confirm that.

 

[apayan]

Yeah especially if you had to treat for Ich or something. For that you HAVE to turn it off. I would imagine it wouldn't be great for other meds either IMO.

 

[JohnnyBassMan]

Agree with skimmer pullling out the meds just like a uv or carbon would.

 

[LargeAngels]

Skimmer will pull out Cupramine. Prazipro makes the skimmer go crazy. I always leave skimmers off.

 

[DamnPepShrimp]

Sounds good, thanks everyone. Now I just have one more QT question (hopefully) but I will post another thread for that one.

 

[JHemdal]

Skimmers will pull out some antibiotics and praziquantel. It won't remove ionic copper or Coppersafe.

If you set your skimmer to collect very wet foam, it will effectively remove Particulate Organic Carbon - which happens to include various parasites and bacteria....not 100% of course, but every little bit helps.

If your system relies on a skimmer to remove POC and DOC and then you just turn it off during a treatment, you'll want to be prepared to deal with it some other way....


Jay

 

[DamnPepShrimp]

Yeah I am just going to do water changes, no big deal.