had ICH before, do I still have it?

[claymc]

About 9 mo ago, I bought a Hippo, and within a Day after he was introduced to my tank, the white spots started showing up, until ultimatly death..

I really would like a Hippo, but don't want to spend the $$ on another (and obviously torture another) until I know I don't have ICH in my system.

I have 2 False Percs and 2 chromis, and a 6line all w/no issues. Didn't have any issues with them which my Hippo came down with ICH. I know they're more suseptible to it, but how can I be sure my new Hippo will survive?

Any tips appreciated

 

[Crosby]

Unless you run your tank fallow for about 2 months. You still have ich in your system. Your other fish have developed strong immune systems. But if you buy another hippo, there is still a chance that he will get ich.

 

[divewsharks]

do you have a tank setup to QT the Hippo? that is your best bet. this way you can treat it, and also give it more time to acclimate, all the stress is the big issue.

 

[claymc]

i don't have a QT at this time. I can see how this can be a 'hospital' to treat but not sure it's point to 'prevent'

Will the QT tank let it acclimate? Not sure how. It just was shipped from god knows where to the LFS and thrown into a small 12x12x18 tank. Then it's bagged up and throw in my QT tank, then it's placed in my DT. The QT imho is another layer of stress on the fish.

It seems like my last hippo got it's ICH once it hit my DT. What would I treat if I put it directly into my QT when it does not have any signs of ich?

Just trying to do my best due diligence..

 

[MotherFish]

Crosby is correct.
Remove the False Percs, chromis, and 6line to a QT and treat them with hypo while you let the display tank sit fallow for 6-8 weeks to kill off the remaining Ich by starvation.
Afterwards make sure to QT and treat any new arrivals before adding them to the display.

 

[wab]

If you set up the qt to match your lfs water parameters then that takes care of one transition. In the 6 weeks that he is in the qt you can treat with copper if he shows any signs of ick. If there are no signs then you can over the 6 weeks bring the qt to your water parameters and then it will only be a scenery change to your dt. If when you place the new fish in the dt leave the lights off 24 hours this helps the fish adjust to the new scenery. Good luck

 

[stricknine]

+ 1 with Crosby/Mother fish.

Dont bother QTing another. Its not the fish with the ICH, its the tank. If you quarantined a new hippo, you are still putting it in a system with ich and it may develop it again if it doesnt build a bit of an immunity and that doesnt mean it doesnt have it, just wont show (like your other fish).

To avoid the situation, take all fish out for 2 months to a qt tank, dose cupramine for 4 weeks during, and treat all new fish prior to adding to the DT.

Sucks, but better now than to loose a whole tank later.

 

[WaterKeeper]

I choose to disagree stricknine. The ich entered the tank thanks to adding a non-quarantined hippo. It is in the tank at the moment but it can be eliminated.

Clay this get complicated but hang on. Do QT your current fish in a Q tank but treat them with copper or hyposalinity. I know they don't show signs of the disease but the are, like typhoid Mary, carriers.

The main tank will remain fallow of fish and the parasite will die out in a month to six week. Add the ordinal fish into the dispay tank and clean the Q-tank well before getting a new hippo. Once you have him, place him in the clean Q-tank for at least a month and, if he is healthy, move him to the display.

 

[MotherFish]

Actually, WK, it looks like you and stricknine agree... perhaps a misreading?

 

[stricknine]

I guess so because I agree w/ WK.

Treat the tank (leaving it fallow), treat the fish living in that tank in a QT (cupramine IMO), then treat all newcomers the same way.

...on the topic, am I wrong for treating all my new fish with copper for 4 weeks in QT prior to adding to my DT?

 

[claymc]

I appreciate the input.. I know a QT is required, but the idea of it sucks. I just hate having to create/purchase/maintain an additional tank.

no way to treat a reef tank for ICH w/out having to remove the fish to kill it off? Again, I'm not for medication, but anything?

Can anyone give me an example of their QT tank?

 

[PRDubois]

QT tank is cheap compaired to what you have now.

20 gal tank with cheep lights
Heater & Powerhead
Hang on Wisper winter
A couple pieces of PVC pipe for structure/hiding places
NO sand
NO ROCK

 

[MotherFish]

It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive at all.
The simplest QT can be nothing more than a plastic tote with an airstone sponge filter.

 

[rort]

I have a very simple QT set up with a 30g tank with 100 AquaClear. You can beef your QT up with a small skimmer if you want.