Blue tang has ich?

[Offalmangler]

Came home today and seen white spots on my blue tang. Some under the skin. Some on the skin. Ich right?

This will be my first adventure with ich in my marine aquarium. I have had it in my freshwater and I knew how to deal with it. Now so much now.

First off. I do not have a hospital tank " stupid I know"

I am going to do a good size water change tomorrow as I have my salt mixing right now.

I do have a very good diatom filter "vortex xl" will this help to have it running? And if so. Before or after the water change or both? And any recommendations on medication?

 

[Offalmangler]

And do I take my skimmer offline while I run the diatom filter?

 

[Kchighrider]

Read the sticky's right above where you posted they will tell you most of what you need to know about MI.

 

[Offalmangler]

I did. I dident see much about diatom filter use.

 

[b0bab0ey]

Diatom filter does nothing for Ich, assuming that's what you're dealing with here. Is this fish a recent purchase? A pic would help determine a diagnosis and possible treatment. If it's white and looks like "salt sprinkled all over the fish" then it's likely Ich. Only treatments are hypo, copper or tank transfer. Being you seem somewhat new to s/w (no offense) I would probably go with copper in a QT, specifically a brand called Cupramine. Just to be sure: DO NOT use copper in your DT if you have corals/inverts.

But I would try to post a pic before you do anything. There's a chance it is not Ich.

 

[Offalmangler]

Lemme see if I can get one "pic"

 

[Offalmangler]

Fish is not a new addition. I haven't added one in about 2 months. Everyone else is doing just fine.

Sorry for the quality. iPhone pics.

 

[b0bab0ey]

I'd say that's Ich. And I hate to be the one to tell you this but you're going to have to QT every fish in that tank and leave the tank itself fallow for 10 weeks to completely eradicate it. PITA I know!

 

[Offalmangler]

Good thing I have my 120 gallon sitting empty upstairs. Should I start fresh with new water? Doesent make sense to use my tank water from my 150 because of the ich. Now what about the cycling time? Don't think I have enough time to cure the ich if my tank is cycling.

 

[b0bab0ey]

Good thing I have my 120 gallon sitting empty upstairs. Should I start fresh with new water? Doesent make sense to use my tank water from my 150 because of the ich. Now what about the cycling time? Don't think I have enough time to cure the ich if my tank is cycling.

How many fish do you have? Do you have a HOB power filter (or two) you could use for filtration? You're correct in assuming it's best not to cycle the QT before beginning treatment. I would go bare bottom in the 120 with HOB or sponge filters. In any case, a lot of WCs are in your future to keep the ammonia down. Not much you can do about that.

 

[b0bab0ey]

Get one of these to monitor your ammonia in the QT. Don't rely solely on it, look at the fish, but it's better than nothing for keeping track of your ammonia. Ammonia test kits can be unreliable when used in the presence of copper but this works. Also, you can use water from the DT to fill the QT since you are going to copper the whole tank anyway.

 

[Offalmangler]

I don't have any hob filters.

I have 3 canister filters i can use. Eheim classic 2213, Rena xp4 and a fluval fx5

I have for fish

2 yellow tangs
1 blue tang
1 naso tang
4 blue chromis
2 clowns
1 lawnmower blenny

 

[Offalmangler]

With my 120 the drawback is that I cannot run my sump. The stand is not built for a sump, so running my skimmer is out of the question. And putting the sump beside my 120 on the floor can't be done as I have a young son who would love to play in it. And I am not taking the chance of him flalling in it.

 

[b0bab0ey]

Canisters might be useful for water circulation. I'd also put a powerhead or two in there for the same purpose. Be sure to remove any carbon from the canisters as carbon removes copper. In any case, always have fresh s/w on hand and be prepared to make A LOT of WCs as needed. Be sure to treatment any replacement s/w with copper to maintain your copper level.