So, I bought a used canister filter (Fluval 204) off Craigslist...came with ceramic rings, a box of peat etc. I took it apart, boiled the media, rinsed the rest of the filter in scalding hot water, let it dry and plugged it in Saturday as the secondary filter in my catfish/loach tank.
I wake up today to a tank full of ick!!!!!

4+ years of ick free tanks and I get it in the one tank I'd hesitate to medicate.

AND as if I needed the stress, its finals week.
AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH.
Sorry about the long post...I'm bummed.