ich management

[thomashtom]

Hi , i had a major ich outbreak about 6 months ago. Treated affected fish in QT for about 2 months. Could not go fallow because of Epaulette shark and 3 eels. Been slowly adding fish like Crosshatch trigger about a month ago with no reoccurring signs. he is with an Asfur who is also doing well. I added a personifer angel about 2 weeks ago and saw a couple of spots about 8 days ago that disappeared the next day and it kept happening for the last 9 days. I have been running a Diatom filter almost 24/7 for weeks which i think might be helping. Anyway i have a bunch of fish that ready to go back in like a couple of Tangs(dussemeri and Fowleri) which i know are ich magnets.I have been housing fish in a 180,65 and 30 gallon tanks. As a last resort has anyone had success with using CP on a DT with a shark in it? I would remove all Live rock. Its a 450 gallon tank so removing all sand would not be feasible. Thanks for your help. Tom

 

[Jdub968]

Hi , i had a major ich outbreak about 6 months ago. Treated affected fish in QT for about 2 months. Could not go fallow because of Epaulette shark and 3 eels. Been slowly adding fish like Crosshatch trigger about a month ago with no reoccurring signs. he is with an Asfur who is also doing well. I added a personifer angel about 2 weeks ago and saw a couple of spots about 8 days ago that disappeared the next day and it kept happening for the last 9 days. I have been running a Diatom filter almost 24/7 for weeks which i think might be helping. Anyway i have a bunch of fish that ready to go back in like a couple of Tangs(dussemeri and Fowleri) which i know are ich magnets.I have been housing fish in a 180,65 and 30 gallon tanks. As a last resort has anyone had success with using CP on a DT with a shark in it? I would remove all Live rock. Its a 450 gallon tank so removing all sand would not be feasible. Thanks for your help. Tom

I'm not sure how your shark will do with cp however have you considered adding all the fish to the DT removing the shark and eel doing a ttm on them remove live rock and sand from the DT and treat it with cp

 

[JustinM]

Sharks will handle CP fine, the only problem is you can’t test the concentration of CP. I would say it’s definitely worth a shot, just remember light degrades CP and the biofilm will as well.

 

[thomashtom]

thanks i have used it in QT with success just not on DT with a shark and 3 eels. If i remove rock and leave sand in would it work if i dose a little high to account for sand absorbing some of it?. The dimensions of this tank is 96 by 36 by 32 so getting all the sand out would be close to impossible. Thanks

 

[Jdub968]

thanks i have used it in QT with success just not on DT with a shark and 3 eels. If i remove rock and leave sand in would it work if i dose a little high to account for sand absorbing some of it?. The dimensions of this tank is 96 by 36 by 32 so getting all the sand out would be close to impossible. Thanks

The problem you have is like Justinm mentioned there's no way to measure concentration of cp so it's a gamble. If I were to say yes then the next ? Would probably be how much should I overdose the tank? That's something I can reccomend because this could be dangerous to the fish. Also I can't say for sure how your sand will affect the cp I just know it is common knowledge amongst aquarist to treat in a bare bottom tank especially with meds that can't be measured

 

[thomashtom]

Yeah i know it is a gamble, i would not go much above the dosage for the volume of water i am treating. The reason i was asking about CP and sharks is i am getting different answers on it so i was hoping someone had personal experience or knew someone that used it in a tank with sharks. Thanks for your help. Tom

 

[JustinM]

There a shark primer in the fish only and aggressive tanks section. You could probably speak to someone that has been in the situation you’re in.

 

[Dmorty217]

CP is a extremely forgiving medication. I have used it with eels and many other fish without issue. CP was actually exclusively used on sharks at first since they can't tolerate copper. Sand is the biggest issue when using CP since it seems to absorb it more than anything else. If there is a active infection (which sounds like you have) I would dose at 60mg/per gallon or 27 grams for your tank. Keep a eye on the fish and if the ich continues I would redose the CP within 7 days. CP can be measured but it takes a special piece of equipment that cost thousands (spectrophotometer) and even then you need to be versed in measuring it in water since there is no chart or manual for doing it. I dosed CP in my 625g (about 750g total I would guess) but did it for months on end and would redose the med once a week with NO water change. I purchased 1000g of CP when I was going through this since I was dosing 45g at a time.

 

[thomashtom]

Thanks really you were able to dose every 7 days without water change. That's awesome. No ammonia? Do you ythink badge works? Thanks

 

[Dmorty217]

Yes the ammonia badges work and a great to have, especially in a QT situation. Where did you get your Epaulette from, I'm trying to source one and have been for the past month?