Medication risk question

[mikeMersot]

Does anyone know if Metronidazole will contaminate a tank in a similar way as copper treatments do? I ask because I have a 150 xh which is housing some oscars, and I am going to treat a parasitic infection with Metronidazole, the problem is that in the future I plan on converting this tank to SW(wish I could now, but cant bring myself to get rid of the oscars, which have been with me for over 7 yrs), and I have taken great care to avoid anything which might cause problems with that down the road. If there is any possibility of a problem i could treat them in a 44 one by one, but catching these things is not very fun as they are about 14". Advice??

[Spanky]

Mike
No problem, you will be good to go.

Jerel

[tdwyatt]

Originally posted by mikeMersot
...I am going to treat a parasitic infection with Metronidazole, the problem is that in the future I plan on converting this tank to SW

No problem with treating the tank for its future use as a SW system, the metronidazole has a VERY short half-life in water at aquaria pH, BUt...

You may have problems with whatever mineralizing bacteria you currently have in the FW tank or your filter system now, as metronidazole is a potent aerobe and anaerobe killer as well as being a great antiprotozoal medication.