Hello, I had minor ich outbreak in my tank. My female GBR had some white spots on her fins (I noticed it early on) and I raised the temperature to 86 degrees and used API's Super Ich Cure (powder). After 48 hours, the spots have decreased (only one or two left) and none of my other fish have developed any. Her behavior never altered, and she is as vivacious as ever, and her colors are normal. The medicine, therefore, seems to be working. However, I know you aren't supposed to filter with carbon during treatment. I don't regularly filter with carbon anyways, but I did leave empty filter cartridges (cotton mesh bags) in the filter to maintain mechanical filtration. Will this inhibit the effectiveness of the treatment? My water only stayed blue-green for a few hours before clearing up, and I am wondering if the cotton could have absorbed it prematurely. Also, should I go through a second full treatment cycle ;(96 hrs) after I finish the first, even if symptoms have cleared up? The medicine says add carbon and change 20% water after treatment; if I am to treat a second time, should I still add carbon to remove the first batch of meds and change water between treatments? Also, is it necessary to sterilize (boil) equipment (an airstone for instance) before returning my tank to normal? I assume that the heat and medicine will kill any ich left over, but I just want to make sure. By the way, I did email and call API about the medicine absorption question, and they did not respond.