Hyposalinity for 8 weeks - ich returns! HElP!

[lakelanson]

Hi Everyone,

I've treted my main tank with hyposalinity for over 8 weeks.

I used a refractometer so that the salinity was definitley correct, and this week started to raise the salinity so that I can put my soft corals and inverts back into my main tank.

Today, I see a spot on my Fox Face, and my powder blue has started rubbing against rocks!

The hyposalinity took a lot of time and effort, as did returning the tank back to the normal slainity - will I have to go back to treating again with hyposalinity for a further 8 weeks or so?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated...

 

[TerryB]

What was the salinity that you used? Did youi check it every day? Have you calibrated your refractometer?

Terry B

 

[snapper1]

I used copper power on my four Tanks some had Haitian live rock in them.I lost two triggers to a Bad case of Ich,the Bottles were $5.00 a Bottle 35 Days later NO ICH.The live rock is Fine all ich is dead and Fish are Happy and Heathy and eating.Copper levels in Tanks are .4 to .35.That is why I wont use nothing else but copper IT WORKS PEOPLE.I have proof everything else is way to much work and isnt a sure thing.I am sorry that Hyposalinty did not work for you if possible try copper worked for me.I dont know how it would effect expensive live rock mine was the cheap stuff.And if you have corals I would not use this stuff any copper is lethal to corals and Inverts.One Tank were the ich was worse was a Fish only Tank and had Tough predator Fish in there.Copper power worked for me it might not work for you but it might.Copper kills ich that is the bottom line I considered Hyposalinity but was not convined way to much work and no guarintee.However everywhere I read copper was a universal killer of ICH and I did alot of research at various sites.Fish are tolerant of copper long term emposure can have side effects on some.However seemed worth the risk considering the alternate treatments.

 

[lakelanson]

Thanks for the reply Terry B..

I used 1.090 all the way through.

I removed my soft corals, crabs, star fish, snails etc, they are still in my new quarantine tank ( i know - a bit late, if I only had patience and read things I wouldn't be in this situation).

Also - this may be a false alert, as the fish appear to be all ok, no spots or flashing on the rocks for the past 2 days, but I'm just worried as I know the cysts drop off and multiply.

I'm considering using a 3 day course of ESHA Oodinex, just in case, as I really don't want to use copper as I believe traces are always left for some time, which is going to be tricky with my inverts and corals - Snapper, is this true with copper as never used before.

Thanks again for your replies.

 

[TerryB]

Lakelanson,

Do you understand the difference between salinity and Specific Gravity? You should be measuring the salinity not the SG. What was the water temperature kept at? SG is effected by temperature, salinity is not. Was your refractometer calibrated? I still have not ruled out the possibility that your salinity (not SG) was too high during treatment.

Terry B

 

[lakelanson]

Hi Terry

Yes I understand the difference, and my salinity was at 12.

My refractometer was calibarated and I use a deltec one with ATC, so I thik I've done everything right.

I'm hoping this is a false alarm, as I really do think that hypo is the only treatment to rid an aquarium of ich, as I hate using any kind of additives or medication, as my opinion is that they cause other problems.

No flashing or spots ( I only have seen the one on my foxface - may have been a bit of the fine sand swept up? who knows..) so fingers crossed...

Maybe i'm being paranoid - but i'll kep you guys updated... Really do appreciate the feedback on this subject...

 

[TerryB]

Hypo works very well almost every time, but it is possible to get an unusual strain (they found them in Tiawan) that can withstand low salinity. Fortunately they still cannot survive without fish. They can also be treated with the transfer method or Cupramine.
Have you added anything to the tank recently?

Terry B

 

[lakelanson]

Hi Terry

I've not added anything to the tank apart from some live rock.

Do you think this could be my problem - another day has passed, and still no spots or flashing against rocks.... so fingers crossed!

Lee

 

[TerryB]

Yes, the tomonts (reproductive stage) attach to any hard surface (even glass, pumps, etc) so you can import ich on live rock. Did the live rock come from a tank that contained fish within a month or so of your getting the live rock?

Terry B

 

[lakelanson]

Hi again Terry

I got the live rock from a local store - no fish in the tanks that it is kept?

Another day passes and all ok

Just for info for anyone reading this and doubting hyposalinity - it really does work, within 3 days the ich in my tank cleared, fish were more lively and no flashing off rocks - I think the addition of rock may have caused my problem once I returned the salinity levels back to 35ppm.

However, another day has passed and no flashing, spots and fish are doing great!

Terry - is there any other reason in your experience why a fish would flash off rocks?

My initial thread stated my powder blue tang done this a couple of times - not since though, just wondered if it maybe due to something else.

I'm also guessing that if Ich was present in my tank still, after these 4 days, my powder blue would be the first to show signs?

 

[lakelanson]

Hi again guys, well ich has returned!

Considering hypo once again - any harm in doing this?

 

[andrewsmart]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9551458#post9551458 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lakelanson
Hi again guys, well ich has returned!

Considering hypo once again - any harm in doing this?

no harm at all there are some good articles writen by terry here follow the method in these carefully.

http://www.marineaquariumadvice.com/library.html