Fully stocked reef tank ICH Treatment!!!! IT WORKS!!!

I have some bad news. I too have to admit I have had no luck getting rid of the ich after multiple doses. I added some new fish and they have gotten ich and have even dosed the tank w them in it, to no avail ridding them of the ich. Oh well, back to the regular treatments I guess. I'm now trying kick ich and hoping it works
Zach
 
MiamiZach said:
I have some bad news. I too have to admit I have had no luck getting rid of the ich after multiple doses. I added some new fish and they have gotten ich and have even dosed the tank w them in it, to no avail ridding them of the ich. Oh well, back to the regular treatments I guess. I'm now trying kick ich and hoping it works
Zach
Click to expand...

I'm afraid you're going to be very disappointed with the Kick-Ich as well; this forum has constant reports of failure with the stuff. Did you use a QT with the new fish?
IMO, if levamisole really was the long-sought miracle ich cure for ich, it would be known all over the hobby by now and somebody would have given a catchy "ich-type'' name to this generic product and it would be sold all over. It isn't. For now, I sure wouldn't suggest it to anyone, the coral problems in the original post should be a warning. I'm sure the OP has seen success with this stuff; ich often disappears with many meds for some people, sometimes. But it hasn't been long enough to consider the ich permanently gone and the failures are starting to show up. This is the case with countless miracle products. The search goes on, IMO. Until there is real proof that anything new works, which will be common reading if and when it happens; I'll stick to the statement that only copper, tank transfer, or hypo truly & permanently cure ich.
 
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No I don't have a QT, havent had the time or energy really to set one up. I'm thinking about it. How do you recommend doing so? Just getting a normal hang off the back filter, getting some water from the store and letting it cycle? I've even heard theres some "turbo" bacteria you can buy to make it cycle in a matter of days. Any experience with this? Also, with the copper method, so i still have 3 fish in the tank that haven't gotten any signs of the ich and are happy as clams through this whole thing. 2 chromis and this wrasse like fish. First, can I assume they don't have it or even if they're not showing signs they can have it. Then, if I take them out and put them in a qt and dose the qt w copper (because I have coral in my main tank), how long should I keep them out before putting them back in the main tank? Because don't you have to leave the main tank without any fish (possible carriers) for like 7 weeks to emilinate all ich and eggs still being alive? So putting them back in before then will reinfect them? Then, I would also ask, if just leaving the fish in the main tank that have no signs and assuming that means they aren't infected, could I just leave them in there for the 7 weeks and assume the ich has died off after?
 
MiamiZach said:
No I don't have a QT, havent had the time or energy really to set one up. I'm thinking about it. How do you recommend doing so? Just getting a normal hang off the back filter, getting some water from the store and letting it cycle? I've even heard theres some "turbo" bacteria you can buy to make it cycle in a matter of days. Any experience with this? Also, with the copper method, so i still have 3 fish in the tank that haven't gotten any signs of the ich and are happy as clams through this whole thing. 2 chromis and this wrasse like fish. First, can I assume they don't have it or even if they're not showing signs they can have it. Then, if I take them out and put them in a qt and dose the qt w copper (because I have coral in my main tank), how long should I keep them out before putting them back in the main tank? Because don't you have to leave the main tank without any fish (possible carriers) for like 7 weeks to emilinate all ich and eggs still being alive? So putting them back in before then will reinfect them? Then, I would also ask, if just leaving the fish in the main tank that have no signs and assuming that means they aren't infected, could I just leave them in there for the 7 weeks and assume the ich has died off after?
Click to expand...

First, I'd read the ich stickies at the top of the disease forum; then start your own thread with your situation.....you'll get a lot more help that way.
 
Anyone else had any success with this? I still have a healthy tank free of ich or any fish disease or stress of any kind.
 
According to the posts in this thread it's about 5-2 in favor of this not working. Too bad really, it would be a huge deal to the hobby.
 
Never mind I didn't read the last few post, but here is an interesting article on this stuff.. I'd assume it would be hard to get it Canada anyways as I found a few places online that does sell this, but due to recent post, I'm going stick with cupramine until some one has shown it to work over the long stretch. I hope some one can prove it does work over the long run, wouldn't that be nice to something that 100% works.? It would be a miracle indeed.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1955112,00.html
 
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Painted skin said:
Never mind I didn't read the last few post, but here is an interesting article on this stuff.. I'd assume it would be hard to get it Canada anyways as I found a few places online that does sell this, but due to recent post, I'm going stick with cupramine until some one has shown it to work over the long stretch. I hope some one can prove it does work over the long run, wouldn't that be nice to something that 100% works.? It would be a miracle indeed.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1955112,00.html
Click to expand...

There's a good chance it would show up on the major news channels as well...ok maybe just NPR.
 
Ich in reef tank. Dosing display!!HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ich in reef tank. Dosing display!!HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have put all fish in qt hospital tanks one hypo 1.009 for flame angel breeding pair ,ruby headed wrasse, yellow tang and copper banded butterfly and MB
1drop:per gallon and

one tank 1.024 mardels coppersafe 1naked clownand two other clowns, one dark blue chromis ,3 blue green chromis one spot foxface and 3 anthais, and of course the culprit one my ich nighmare hippo blue tang very large 4-5 inches one inch wide. LFS told me do not quarantine.

also have two mating dragonettte in bucket with live rock= bubbler in sump dipped daily in MB and ich slides off transferring daily to new water and feeding frozen flying fish eggs from Chinese village store tiny orange stuff from sushi

I live in Canada. No levamisole in Canada.
I am treating display reef with proto marin.
basically malachite green and MB.

My sister inlaw may be bring this levamisole to me for thurs from Indianna.

How much to dose 150 gallon us tank and 40 gallon sump?

grams:per gallon
Teaspoons: gallon(s)
ml:gallon(s)

Please Help and Thanks in advance. Clarkson.
 
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Levamisole HCl is a safe and effective anthelmintic for use in aquariums when administered in the proper dosage. It does not harm the biofilter, plants or invertebrates (including shrimp) in your tank and has the added benefit of stimulating the immune system of immunocompromised tank inhabitants. I highly recommend its inclusion in any fishkeeper's arsenal of medications. For those of us who purchase wild-caught fish, it should be part of our prophylactic quarantine tank treatments for newly purchased fish.

Hobbyists have been using it for years now, and there are few reports of negative effects on fish. At higher dosages than recommended there have been some reports of cloudy water at initial treatment, and a very few reports of rapid respiration or stress related behavior in fish. I've also located a few accounts of massive overdosing leading to wipeouts in tank populations. One reported result of treatment stated yellow water, clamped fins and heavy breathing in cichlids, as well as explosive plant growth. After a couple of days, the negative effects on the cichlids seemed to disappear so he continued the treatment regime. I suspect the phosphate form may have been the formulation used in this case, but was not able to determine that definitively as I could not locate the drug he cited to find the information.

Dosing levels prior to this information were all over the charts. Almost without exception, the dosages used were higher. Some were much higher. Recommendations ranged from 1-2 mg/l up to as much as 21 mg/l. Based on the research for this article it's my hope that hobbyists will face less confusion regarding the use of Levamisole HCl in aquaria.

Below is the treatment protocol I have used for treating parasites with Levamisole HCl. It is very similar to the treatment recommended by Dr. Yanong. Your mileage may vary.

1.Determine the appropriate dosage for your tank.
2.Treat with the lights off and increased aeration.
3.Perform a largish water change prior to treatment. With my water supply I cannot do more than 50% without causing a tank crash so I don't do the 70-100% changes recommended.

4.Treat once for 24 hours.
5.Do a largish water change and vacuum to remove any paralyzed worms in the substrate.
6.Return tank to normal lighting/feeding/cleaning cycle.
7.Treat again in 5-7 days after a water change. If you know the parasite you are treating and its life cycle adjust the timing for the second treatment accordingly.

8.Do another water change with gravel vacuum.
9.Return to normal schedule.
10.Treat a third time 1 - 2 weeks after your second treatment.

11.Do another good vacuuming with water change and consider your treatment complete.


Usually, I see a marked improvement in vitality and appetite after the first treatment. Don't let this convince you that the fish is cured! Complete a full course of treatment. In commercial fish enterprises and in livestock there have been reports of various parasites developing resistance to Levamisole HCl treatment. If you see no improvement after the first treatment your fish may be suffering from a secondary bacterial infection caused by parasitic damage. Consider treating the affected fish in a quarantine tank with a good broad spectrum antibiotic such as Maracyn I and II, or Kanamycin.



Removed~dc

I followed the instructions and lost our whole 90 gallon tank! 5 beautiful Clown Loaches, our prized breeding pair of Angels and many other fish. Cost us a bundle to replace the fish, which in reality, were irreplaceable due to their individuality. I would be incredibly cautious using this medication and would not let it be in the aquarium for more than 12 hours at the most. Caution is the best part of valor. I don't want anyone to go through what we went through, so just be warned! If I saw heavy breathing for more than 30 minutes I would do a massive water change immediately. Our whole tank died in less than 24 hours.


So sorry to hear of your loss, Richard!

Posted by Shari Sanford at Jul 30, 2007 10:21 AM

Could you give some details? What form of the med did you use, what was your dosage, what were the first symptoms you saw of a problem after treating, and what did you do after noticing them? What were your water parameters at the time of treatment?
This would be very valuable to others who may run into something similar.

Having a record of this type of experience is valuable in the extreme. And it is true that when using any med it is important to observe your fish for any signs of stress or negative response and take action quickly to remove the med.

Thanks for commenting. It's much appreciated.





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Not to be bellimose!!

Not to be bellimose!!

BUT I FOUND THIS POSTON REEF CENTRAL: THAT IS WHY I AM ASKING PEOPLE WITH MORE EXPERIENCE THAN ME, IF THIS WORKS???

Fully stocked reef tank ICH Treatment!!!! IT WORKS!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ok so I have a fully stocked reef tank SPS, LPS. And I came across some bugs and really had no intention of treating for ICH but I had about 4 tangs with ich some almost covered and after treating with this stuff all the ich was gone and hasn't came back! Its been over a month. The product was levamisole soluble drench made by prohibit. My system is approx. 200 gal and I dosed 3.3 grams disolved in cup of water and slowly added to system over period of 2-3 minutes. Allow this to run for 2 hours. Remover all carbon and turn off skimmer while treating tank. After 2 hours run fresh carbon and do about 10 percent water change. IT WORKS!!! I was so freakin happy no more ICH!
 
Hi all, just wanted to give a quick update. So i have to say that i never had an ich outbreak after this treatment. So im sticking to my testimony. It has been quite a while. Unfortunately i sold this setup last weekend, but do still have a few fish and all is well, after tank transfer still no ich......
 
Levamisole Vermatids and Ich

Levamisole Vermatids and Ich

I treated my 70g display/30g sump for ich with levamisole hcl after the 3 week quarantined Fire Angle contaminated the display tank. I dosed 1.4g into 80 gallons of water (after displacement allowance for sub-strait and live rock). Most of the ich was successfully treated and disappeared in 2-3 days. I changed the GAC, 40 gallon water change and treated with the same dose 6 days after the first dose. After 2 days all the Ich is gone. Performed GAC and water change.
I lost 2 fish- the aforementioned Fire Angel which died before the first treatment and a percala clown-the oldest fish in my tank. The sail goby, percala clowns, coral beauty, red stripe angel, and 6 line wrasse are all healthy and parasite free at the moment.

On the second treatment many of the inverts were stunned especially the ceriths. However, after a couple of hours they resumed their work. I am not sure if this happened the first treatment and I missed it or there was accumulation of the drug. I had changed GAC and water but there could be some residual.

Finally, an unexpected bonus, I have had significant infestations of Vermatid snails both in the live rock and in the sump in between the bubble filter panels. After the second treatment I noticed the Vermatids in the sump had turned to mush and slime and were very clearly dead. Then I noticed that I could not find any intact vermatids in the display tank. Usually I just smash them but there were none to smash. On the down side many healthy and I am sure desirable worms were also killed by the drug. The carcasses were filtered or siphoned out.

This drug is obviously helpful for some parasites and nuisance worms/inverts. It is very powerful. The corals in my tank are fairly hardy and simple. softies: mushrooms, toadstool, puffball, finger coral . LPS: brain (x2), frogspawn, turban, candy cane. SPS: birds nest (2 varieties) none of these coral were noticeably affected by this dosage.

I expect to need to treat one more time about 3 weeks after the last treatment. After that time will tell. Obviously the main problem was insufficient quarantine time which is no one's fault but mine. Waiting one more week might not have saved the Angel but it sure would have saved alot of time treating the display tank.

So in about 7 weeks I should be able to figure out a way to repopulate the detritus eating critters.
 
Really? Just keep watching them...

Cattle meds "will not" cure ICH. Otherwise, huge public aquariums that spend millions and millions of dollars would use it to rid ICH.

Great story though...Not trying to be mean...just stating facts.

I am glad that your fish are doing well and that it has temporarily relieved them of their symptoms. I know how bad it sucks to see your fish covered in ICH. However, the ICH will be back. Hate to dissappoint you.

When you see guys on here with 20-30 thousand posts, you better listen and believe they know what they're talking about, have heard it all, and done it all.

Good luck brother...wish you the best.
 
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