Getting rid of Ich

[Ryan391]

I am in need of some help from some one more experienced than myself.

I had been out of the hobby for 10 years or so. I have just set up a new tank with the hopes of having a reef/fish tank. A long time ago when I set up my first tank it was customary to use Damsels as a cycle fish. I did that this time, only to find out later that is not a commonly practiced technique anymore. Anyway, I purchased the fish from Petco and I believe they brought ich into my tank. When my tank was done cycling, I took them out and gave them to my lfs in exchange for a clown. Long story short, the clown appeared to develop ich but was too aggressive for the Hippo Tang I bought. I took him back to the store and bought another Hippo tang.(very very small, 1/2 inch or so) I also bought a Watchman Goby. Both Tangs have since died from Ich. I now have one Watchman Goby and a whole bunch of crabs and snails. I want to add some corals when my tank matures, but for now I want to get rid of the ich in my tank. It appears my only real course of action is to let the tank sit without fish for 2 months. The Goby never got ich. Can I leave him in there? I have read on other forums Goby's are immune. Is this true?

I am open to suggestions.

Thank you in advance.

 

[MrTuskfish]

First, get a QT/HT set up and use a good QT regimen on all new fish; or this problem will never end. You may not see ich on the goby, but its there. Ich often isn't visible. The goby will need to be treated in a QT/HT, symptoms or not. Options are: tank transfer (what I'd use in your case), copper, or hypo. The DT must stay fishless for 9+ weeks. The ich stickies at the top of the disease forum are vital reading. BTW, any fish can host ich, often in the gills. many fish are more resistant than others and some even develop temporary immunity to some strains of ich. But leaving any fish in an ich infested tank is a sure way to see it return. All it takes is one microscopic parasite to start an explosion that can destroy a tank. Now that you just have one fish and need a QT anyhow, why not do it right and enjoy the hobby for years?

 

[sandwi54]

Totally agreed with MrTusk!

 

[snorvich]

Agree with both of the above. And stop buying fish. Get a stable healthy environment established.