Hypo duration for Ich treatment?

[N8ster]

The main article by Stephen Pro says that two week in hypo is sufficient to kill ich, and he cites a study.

Many other places say 6-8 weeks, but do not cite any sources.

Is two weeks enough to kill ich, or is there other research out there, or experience showing that 2 weeks is not enough?

I know you have to leave a dt fallow for 6-8 weeks to kill the ich in the display, but this is to allow the ich to complete its lifecycle at normal salinity. Is it possible that some people confuse these two treatments?

The bottom line is that I would rather not run hypo for 6 weeks if I only need to do it for 2.

 

[Patrick12]

I do it for a month in a QT tank at 1.009 and 80-82 F. I then raise it back to 1.022 over a few days and watch for another 2 weeks. If no issues they get to go to the new home, if they break out again, they get copper treatment for 14 days.

2 weeks is a bit short on the hypo treatment, given the lifecycle of the parasite and the fact that it shields itself pretty well in the cyst stage. I would error on the longer side. My Powder Blue has just finished 4 weeks in hypo and hopefully won't break out. He's on the clock now.

 

[kevin2000]

My 02

I think Hypo probably is effective in as little as 15 days or so ... but most would argue that you should QT for at least 4 weeks (some argue 6 weeks) and since most fish seem to do well in hypo I don't see any downside in extending the hypo QT. Further .. if your show tanks infected with ich you should keep that tank without fish for at least 5 weeks at any rate.

 

[paulamrein]

I think the 6-8 weeks comes two fold. Alot of people on here don't start out QT so they have to pull their fish from an existing tank, which would need 6 weeks to fallow to rid the ich in the system. It is also based on the cycle of the ich, usually as long as 2 weeks on fish and 4 weeks in cystic form. It would be great if all ich would cooperate and be on a strict schedule. To me, I count on the fact that LFS has ich in their system and treat them as soon as I get them in. From there I know the fish won't look any worse than the day I got him home, so I have to follow the time frame considering I can't count on "4 weeks after last cyst falls off" method. I realize that everyone is eager to get that new fish in the display, You aren't alone on that. I would love a quicker treatment, but nothing good happens quick in this hobby. Look at this time as time for the fish to recognize you as the food source and it makes for a better, healthier, more interactive fish. I have a banner fish currently in QT and he would eat out of my hand if it didn't hurt when he snatched food from me. But the second I come into the room he darts over to me, swimming up and down almost as if happy to see me. I liken it to a dog wagging his tail. And you really can't have that in the "dump and pray" method. Before I QT'd it would be a week or two before the fish would stop darting behind a rock in the display much less come to see me.