[Mr. Clean]

First off, let me apologize for posting another ich thread. I have searched and read dozens of threads on possible ich treatments already, and the opinions vary greatly. So I thought it might be alright to post a question about my specific situation and options and get your opinions on it.

Last week I added 5 Botia angelicus to my tank. 1st problem, I didn't use a quarantine tank. That issue has since been resolved, and I have a complete 10 gal setup for quarantining fish now. In the LFS’s dim aquarium light the botia’s looked great. As soon as I released them into my tank with 3 wpg, the ich was obvious. Since I had already released them into my tank I was afraid to not treat the tank. So I immediately raised the tank temp to 84 – 85 degrees, removed any carbon, and started using Rid-Ich+. Over the course of the next 7 days or so, the botia’s spots were reducing and I assumed things were looking up. Well then I notice a spot or two on a platty the other day. The outbreak really doesn’t seem too bad, all the fish seem to be acting normally and eating fine, but my concern is that since the parasites have spread to a previously uninfected fish, it appears the treatment isn’t working. Am I correct in this assumption?

I have since acquired the use of a UV sterilizer. Here are the options I’m considering and where I’d like your opinions.

1. Move all fish to the quarantine tank with no plants and run temps around 85 F, add salt, add UV sterilizer in the quarantine tank and let the ich run their cycle out in the planted tank. With no fish and temps in the lower 80’s, the ich should be gone within a couple of weeks right? I know the fish load on the hospital tank will be high, so I’d be doing daily water changes with no substrate so I could clean the waste and ich cysts up easily.

2. Add UV sterilizer to main tank, and keep the treatment going, Doesn’t a UV break down the Rid-Ich+ medicines though? If so, is there a safe amount of salt I can add to a planted tank?

Here are the specifics on my main tank. It is a 72 gal tank, heavily planted. 3 wpg, eheim 2128 and sump, CO2 injection. The fish in there now are 5 glow lights, 5 harlequin rasboras, the 5 botias, and 3 platties.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

-Scott

 

[mistergreen]

sounds good to me.. keep on doing what you're doing....
A large water change will reduce the ich number too..

 

[Alexplosive]

I had sensitive fish in my planted tank so I used a product called "Aquarisol" and had great success with it. The ich was gone within a week and all the fish survived. It does not stain your tank at all.

 

[Mr. Clean]

I have been doing 50% water changes twice a week.

So it looks like Aquarisol is a coper sulfate product. Are there any problems with that and running a UV? Would I need to run carbon to try to clear out the Rid-Ich+ first? I don't have any inverts other than maybe one snail that the botias haven't devoured yet...

 

[Alexplosive]

I did a little research on google before I used Aquarisol and there were alot of good things being said about the product in several forums as well. I wouldnt think it would be a problem to use it along with UV. Also, dont use carbon in the tank yet, just do a good size water change before switching to Aquarisol.

 

[jpfelix]

dose your ich meds at night. free-swimmers are released after lights out. also, if you can vacuum the areas where your fish sleep it may help also.

ich cycles are typically 5-7 days. ich can remain viable for ~28 days without a host.

if you keep your fish fat and happy these things can go away without any intervention.

good luck.

 

[Mr. Clean]

Thanks for the tips all!

Looks like the platty is already clearing up and the botias are good too. Guess I just got a little concerned when I saw new spots on a previously un-infected fish.

I'll keep up the routine running UV during my photo period and medicate at night.

Thanks again!

-Scott

 

[Lupin]

I would suggest doing treatment for two weeks minimum. Ich will always reappear once the fish becomes stressed again.:smile:

If so, is there a safe amount of salt I can add to a planted tank?

1 tablespoon per 5 gallons. Some plants will not tolerate it but they will be fine once treatment is done.