Battle of the ich

[Bossbuddjr]

While I'm still relatively new to the hobby (less than a year of experience). I've been fighting an Ich outbreak for the last couple months with no losses as of yet *knock on wood*.

I've been lurking for a while now and reading the different threads for guidance. I was wondering if I could get other peoples experiences with this irritating parasite. For example how long did it take before you sustained a loss.

I've tried the UV sterilizer method, Herbatana, vitamin c drops, garlic soaks, and even the wives tale of using cleaner shrimp (this is before I found out they cant get the parasites under the skin).

Currently the outbreak has been only visible on my lyre-tail Anthia and my Flame Angel. My parameters have been stable and they are roughly what they should be besides salinity, which I've been leaving at about 1.023ppt. It's a 75 gallon reef tank.

I would continue the herbatana treatment which was working or at least keeping the infection to an unnoticeable level except my bottle ran out and funds are a little tight right now. Which is also while it is a poor excuse why I do not have a QT.

 

[Mrscribbled]

I'd lean towards your fish developing some resistance to the parasite rather than giving any of the above any credit. The UV will help keep the parasite numbers down, but with all the money spent on all the above., a very nice QT could have been purchased.

 

[Bossbuddjr]

beginners mistake lol, by the time I realized the value of a QT it was to late and the problem was already in place which is why I tried so many of the keep the fish in the original tank cures.

 

[Mrscribbled]

Check Craigslist, you'll probably find all you need for a QT for less than 40 bucks.

 

[MrTuskfish]

While I'm still relatively new to the hobby (less than a year of experience). I've been fighting an Ich outbreak for the last couple months with no losses as of yet *knock on wood*.

I've been lurking for a while now and reading the different threads for guidance. I was wondering if I could get other peoples experiences with this irritating parasite. For example how long did it take before you sustained a loss.

I've tried the UV sterilizer method, Herbatana, vitamin c drops, garlic soaks, and even the wives tale of using cleaner shrimp (this is before I found out they cant get the parasites under the skin).

Currently the outbreak has been only visible on my lyre-tail Anthia and my Flame Angel. My parameters have been stable and they are roughly what they should be besides salinity, which I've been leaving at about 1.023ppt. It's a 75 gallon reef tank.

I would continue the herbatana treatment which was working or at least keeping the infection to an unnoticeable level except my bottle ran out and funds are a little tight right now. Which is also while it is a poor excuse why I do not have a QT.

The vitamins, Herbtana, UV, and garlic are in the same category as the cleaner shrimp. They will not eliminate ich from your tank. You'll have ich, and the probability of multiple fish losses in your tank, until you quarantine the fish, and treat with a reliable method (copper, CP, or tank transfer). Your DT will have to stay fishless for 10+ weeks. It sounds like you're trying to manage ich, not eliminate it. This seldom ends well.

 

[Bossbuddjr]

Well I guess where I know where my next pay check is going =(

 

[MrTuskfish]

Well I guess where I know where my next pay check is going =(

A QT set-up is cheaper than most fish. You don't need any expensive stuff. A used tank, heater, HOB filter, some sort of lighting (even an old desk lamp) and a few pieces of pvc for shelter.

 

[VonClownfish]

I've been in and out of the hobby, about 5-6yrs. I'm no expert, but am finally starting to take saltwater tanks more seriously, instead of it just being a hobby if that makes sense. A piece of advise from me; I am going through a terrible Ich outbreak as we speak. If you truly have intentions on setting up a QT do it as soon as you can and get it up and running/cycled. I've found battling the ammonia spikes more challenging than I thought. Long story short, I waited too long, and just lost my Sohal Tang, Bluespotted Jawfish, and my Achilles Tang. To top it off, I had to rush out and buy a brand new tank, filter, heater, light etc. I didn't have time to look around for a used tank. Being unprepared cost me more money, and the lives of my fish.

 

[Mrscribbled]

The biggest worry with a QT is ammonia, but easily avoided with Instant Ocean bio spira or Dr Tim's One and Only.

 

[snorvich]

Just as a slight correction, cleaner shrimp do not eat parasites of this type (it is not that they cannot get them) as evidenced by the literature which have done assays of their stomach contents. Also, from the timeline of the original poster, it sounds like velvet rather than ich.

 

[Bossbuddjr]

Well besides that my biggest concern is how do i now do a QT/HT. i have HEAVILY stocked tank that short of buying a 55 gallon tank i have no idea how im going to treat all of the fish at once.... :-/ maybe rig a my old 29g tall to a 20gal or something?

Also i thought marine velvet was a quick killer? not a slow steady problem? ive been having the white speck problem for months with no deaths.

 

[snorvich]

Yes, velvet is a quick killer once established whereas ich is not.

 

[Bossbuddjr]

fantastic.... :fun2: well then. any one have any ideas for a large hospital tank? im almost tempted to get an overflow box some more pvc and make double layer with my old tank MT/sump style. being stuck in a smaller tank i foresee massive aggression issues between my flame angle vs coral beauty, my damsels (nuff said), my goby vs blenny, and my wrasse vs royal gramma.

 

[bguile]

With that many fish might I suggest individual buckets?? Or maybe even 10g tanks and pair them up? Translucent bins that can hold several gallons of water? Just trying to throw out some ideas. Either way your issues will be ammonia and keeping your levels proper if using copper.

I would think the easiest method to use would be tank/bucket transfer. Just be prepared with lots of salt and Amquel and you'll need twice as many buckets as you have fish. You'll need to perform a good percentage water change daily to keep ammonia at bay since filters won't help you here since there won't be enough time for colonization before you have to change to a new bucket.