You want to find out what ich looks like.
Type in: ich marine tank...ALWAYS add that 'marine' or 'saltwater' and you'll get appropriate answers. Freshwater ich is something else.
Start with the most important word. in this case, 'ich'.
Add words in descending order of importance, but say you want to id ich in a clownfish: you can leave out the 'marine tank' bit because clownfish are a marine species, and that will solve the problem.
You can also try generalities when you don't know: disease clownfish will net you articles on brooklynella and uronema marinum. Then you can use the hyperlinks on those (or copy and paste) to get much more specific info. Wikipedia is your friend: it has pictures.
You can also add: pic, which will get you pictures.
And another resource: most of our manufacturers and providers DO have help lines. So do many of our sponsors. If you're really up a creek with no knowledge which med, what reacts with what, what you can use safely or mostly safely, CALL the seller or the manufacturer (many med and chemical labels have help line numbers) and ask. Who will have the accurate info on interactions? The people who sell the products are a real good bet.
Don't be shy about phoning: jot down your symptoms, other meds, potential significant observations so you don't get rattled and forget it: refer to your list. It's also a good way to start an online search: if you've written down keywords of your problem, it may suggest other search terms if one has come up dry.
We're delighted to help, but sometimes you need specifics fast, and going to an authoritative source with pictures can help, where getting a good photo that really shows the problem in YOUR tank can be hit or miss. The online pix can show you clearly what you're looking for.
Google or Yahoo search may also point you to a specific Reef Central thread that discusses the problem, and if our RC search is being balky, try a general search engine as a very viable tool.
Type in: ich marine tank...ALWAYS add that 'marine' or 'saltwater' and you'll get appropriate answers. Freshwater ich is something else.
Start with the most important word. in this case, 'ich'.
Add words in descending order of importance, but say you want to id ich in a clownfish: you can leave out the 'marine tank' bit because clownfish are a marine species, and that will solve the problem.
You can also try generalities when you don't know: disease clownfish will net you articles on brooklynella and uronema marinum. Then you can use the hyperlinks on those (or copy and paste) to get much more specific info. Wikipedia is your friend: it has pictures.
You can also add: pic, which will get you pictures.
And another resource: most of our manufacturers and providers DO have help lines. So do many of our sponsors. If you're really up a creek with no knowledge which med, what reacts with what, what you can use safely or mostly safely, CALL the seller or the manufacturer (many med and chemical labels have help line numbers) and ask. Who will have the accurate info on interactions? The people who sell the products are a real good bet.
Don't be shy about phoning: jot down your symptoms, other meds, potential significant observations so you don't get rattled and forget it: refer to your list. It's also a good way to start an online search: if you've written down keywords of your problem, it may suggest other search terms if one has come up dry.
We're delighted to help, but sometimes you need specifics fast, and going to an authoritative source with pictures can help, where getting a good photo that really shows the problem in YOUR tank can be hit or miss. The online pix can show you clearly what you're looking for.
Google or Yahoo search may also point you to a specific Reef Central thread that discusses the problem, and if our RC search is being balky, try a general search engine as a very viable tool.
