[jiggly75]

I'm setting up a 10 gallon QT to treat my clown. I just bought a sponge filter and have not had time to leave it in the tank for a month to build up bacteria. Is it possible to treat with copper with out a biological filter? If I don't try to treat this clown fish I don't think he will make it. He has ich.

[leebca]

The purpose of the biological filter is control ammonia and nitrites -- two poisons to marine fish.

Most people who are in the position you are in perform frequent and large water changes. This means you have to measure the copper concentration to keep it where it belongs and you'll need extra copper medication to keep adding to the new water.

Keep testing for ammonia and nitrite and when any reading is found by the test kit, do a large water change. This may mean doing two water changes a day!

Another means is to use chemical filtration (ammonia absorbents, for example). If you use chemical filtration, make sure the chemical manufacturer says it's okay to use their media with the copper treatment.

Have you read this?
Copper - Treatment, Use, Problems

Good luck!