Hyposalinity not working

[atlfishes]

I'm using a pinpoint salinity monitor that has recently been calibrated.

For over a week my salinity has been below 23ms , which by every hyposalinity article I've read has been within the acceptable range.

I continue to see Ich on the Hippo Tang, although to a much lesser extent. I lowered the salinity to 21ms and it has been at this level for 2 days, but the tang continues to get spots.

By now the tang shouldn't be getting new spots, right?

http://www.americanmarineusa.com/salinityconversion.html

 

[TerryB]

Hyposalinity does not kill the parasites already attached to the fish. Those parasites have to mature and fall off the fish as part of thier life cycle. Hypo stops ich at the tomont stage before it can reinfect the fish. it usually takes a week or more to start showing results, depending on what stage of the life cycle that the parasite is in. You can go lower if you want, down to 19ms (about 11ppt), but 14ppt should be low enough. Check the pH DAILY.

Terry B

 

[atlfishes]

I realize that, but I'm seeing new spots. This makes me think that as the old Ich falls off, the fish is being reinfected. I guess it could still be old Ich that hadn't fully developed on the fish that I'm beginning to see?

What your saying is that after a week of hyposalinity it is normal to still be seeing signs of Ich?

 

[White Tiger]

Actually, lowering the salinity of water does not kill all the eggs laid by the parasite. Infact, you might consider putting a copper-based ich medicine in the tank to help you with your fish.

 

[TerryB]

Hyposalinity is scientifically proven to kill Cryptocaryon irritans at the tomont stage (reproductive stage off of the fish). However, ich is not the only thing that causes white spots. Yes, the white spots can remain a week or longer while in treatment. You might try lowering the salinity further to 11ppt, but keep a close eye on the pH. Hippo tangs are probably the worst species for ich and other external parasites. You could try a series of formalin dips to go along with hyposalinity.

Terry B

 

[White Tiger]

Hyposalinity is proven to kill paracites such as ich. However, it is not 100% efficient in killing ich. I do agree that giving formalin dips will be helpful. But I also recomend buying copper-based medicine to treat the disease along with hyposalinity.

P.S.---It could take perhaps 3 weeks until you see a improvement in your fish's health using hyposalinity and copper-baased ich medicine.

 

[BTTRFLYGRL]

Using copper with Hypo is dangerous...Ph drops during hypo and copper is VERY toxic in a lower PH. Hypo works just fine on its own, no need for copper.

 

[White Tiger]

It true that using hypo with copper is dangerous. However, if you follow all directions for the copper medication and monitor your water quality, you fish will do fine.

 

[TerryB]

White Tiger,

I don't know where you get your information that hypo doesn't work well to cure ich, but I have to disagree. Hyposalinity is usually 100% effective when administered correctly for the correct amount of time.

Terry B

 

[White Tiger]

I know that hyposalinity is not 100% effective based on experience and information from my saltwater fish advisor and veterinarian. In fact, hyposalinity is perhaps only effectice 80% of the time.

 

[atlfishes]

Which is it?

Everything that I have read states that copper is damaging to the fish and that hypo is the prefered method. I have not read that it is only partially effective.

I can run cupramine if necessary.

 

[Psionicdragon]

Its just a difference of opinion. Use the best method you think is best Atlfishes, but make sure that you know side effects of each.

I am in hypo salinity mode for a week now and it seems to be doing its job. White spots are everywhere, but the treatment requires 4-8 weeks. you are only 1/2 way done or 1/4 way done.

One thing about hypo is...you really need to maintain it at that degree or it swings and cause some stress.

 

[TerryB]

White Tiger,

You base your opinion on your limited experience with hypo and the advice of a veterinarian? I base my opnion on my experience (started experimenting with hypo back in the 70's), reports of trials in scientific journals, and personal communication with some of one of the leading aquatic medicine experts in the world (Dr. Edward Noga at NCSU) and a scientist that is highly reguarded by his piers for his research on the subject (Dr. Colorni). Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I no longer recommend copper treatment (even Cupramine) as my first choice for treating Cryptocaryon irritans (Ich).

Terry B

 

[White Tiger]

I was just stating my opinion. You were just stating your opinion.----------------------Everyone has different opinions.

 

[jarhed]

Opinions and researched-confirmed facts are two different things. You may want to read up on the many columns right here on RC by folks who have actually performed trials, and the many many many articles and research supporting the fact that hypo does kill ich at the correct stage of it's lifecycle.

Try Stephen Pro's material. This guy knows his stuff.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-...ature/index.htm
Steven Proââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s article on Marine Ich (Part 1):
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-08/sp/index.htm
(Part 2):
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-...ature/index.htm


I've had copper kill two fish in QT. I'll never use it again. Hypo all the way, but you absolutely have to leave them in hypo for the right amount of time (5-6 weeks minimum).

 

[zens]

hypo all the way!

 

[atlfishes]

I'll stick with Hypo. I was just confused as to how long after starting the treatment I'd still see Ich on the fish. I start on Feb 15 and my hippo tang still has it.

 

[White Tiger]

To jarhed:
My opinions are based on veternarians and experience.

 

[Mike de Leon]

atlfishes,

My Achilles Tang is now on it's fourth week in hypo and is doing quite well.
I experienced what you are experiencing now, with more Ich showing up from time to time. But only to drop after a day or two.
Leave your fish in it and he'll be fine.
Hypo is the best in my opinion. No chemicals, you can run carbon and skimmer. And it does not affect biofiltration. No ammonia spikes to worry about (Make sure you test though). Give your filtration a chance to adjust.

I have tried both Cupramine and copper. I have experienced them to cause Lateral line disease and HLLE.

Good Luck with the PBT! Beautiful fish! (My Achilles is nicer though. LOL.)

 

[janakaybravo]

I also experienced my hippo tang developing spots after a month in hypo! They were tiny though and didn't stay long. He's still in hypo and it's been 12 weeks now. I even thought they might be tiny scars from the previous spots. I'm just making sure it works. I do test everyday with refractrometer and checked ph and do water changes.

Stick with it. It works.