Infected Filter

[Amber]

I have just treated a fish for dropsy in my spare tank.
I wish to move the filter back to my main tank now but thought Id better check if it is possible to contaminate the tank by doing this?

 

[WILDER]

It should be fine, dropsy is contagious if the other fish peck on the dead body of the fish, it's best to get them out of the tank if you suspect is dropsy to stop this happening, has the dropsy cleared up now, and how long have you been treating him.

 

[Amber]

Thank you Wilder - I treated over a period of two weeks but unfortunatly without success.
The fish was quarentined when the swelling became apparent but I have treated the main tank just as a precaution too.

 

[WILDER]

So the fish didn't make it, sorry, it should be ok, would be better if you could of sterlise it.

 

[Amber]

Is it possible to sterlise it without killing off the bacteria please Wilder?

 

[WILDER]

You could clean the filter it's self but not the sponges, get a bucket of hot water add some salt and run it for a while, then run it once again in just hot water.

 

[Amber]

I think i'll do that just to be on the safe side.

Thanks for all your help Wilder.

 

[mlee0332]

but if the sponges were in the filter when you had the infected fish, wouldn't the sponge be infected as well? When my fish caught flukes (gill) I was instructed to boil those as well, just to make sure no flukes were in them...

BTW boiling will kill all bene bacteria

 

[WILDER]

Usually yes, but dropsy is only contagous if a fish pecks at the body of the dead fish, so it should be ok.

 

[mlee0332]

okay... Just wanted to be sure I didn't boiled those and wasn't supposed to.