Ich Question

[Jacob Sellers]

I have a question to which I think the answer is evident, but would appreciate some confirmation and/or suggestions.

I have a 400 gal FOWLR tank. About a month ago, I had an ich outbreak that claimed the lives of several large angels. I quarantined the remaining fish showing signs of ich infestation and did a 50% water change. The remaining fish appeared fine (showing on signs of ich) until two days ago; many of them now bear the tell-tell white spots.

I have read that the only truly guaranteed way to eradicate ich from a tank is to fallow the tank for 6 to 8 weeks as the ich parasite lives in the substrate and has 6 to 8 week life cycle.

My question is were I to drain the tank and ditch the substrate (2 inches of sand) would that have the same effect as a 6 to 8 week fallow?

I would ask because the fish that I quarantined are reaching the end of the quarantine period and I would like to added to back to the DT rather than keeping them crammed into a small holding tank while the tank fallows.

 

[shorty53538]

I would let the tank sit empty for the time frame you had said... with no host the parasite can not live. Leave the sand and rock in there... however, make sure you stick to the time frame without anything in there that can catch ich.....
otherwise your asking for disaster...

 

[Chris27]

The parasite will entomb itself in the rockwork as well - so just removing the sand may not do the trick.

 

[wooden_reefer]

You cannot but also do not need to remove any substrate in DT to get rid of ich. The tank has to be fishless for many weeks, IMO eight weeks is reasonable.

The key as always is how are you going to care for the fish in QT for such a long period? How are you ridding the QT water of ammonia?

 

[montipora80]

When you let the tank go 6-8 weeks fishless will ich host a purple fire fish? It does not get it and I would hate to tear the tank up just to get him out.

 

[Jacob Sellers]

You cannot but also do not need to remove any substrate in DT to get rid of ich. The tank has to be fishless for many weeks, IMO eight weeks is reasonable.

The key as always is how are you going to care for the fish in QT for such a long period? How are you ridding the QT water of ammonia?

I have been doing weekly 25% water changes and testing the ammonia every other day; so far no issues. I am treating the fish that are in QT now with copper.

 

[Jacob Sellers]

When you let the tank go 6-8 weeks fishless will ich host a purple fire fish? It does not get it and I would hate to tear the tank up just to get him out.

My understanding is that it will host any fish, but not LR or inverts.

 

[wooden_reefer]

I have been doing weekly 25% water changes and testing the ammonia every other day; so far no issues. I am treating the fish that are in QT now with copper.

It depends on how large the QT is and how much bioload there is. 25% weekly is generally far from enough. I think ammonia is waiting to increase, from what I gather.

This time you may not have much option; next time, you should cycle the medium for QT very well.

Ammonia is very toxic to fish.

Even this time it may be better late than never to start a cycle in a separate container without livestock. You use bacteria seed and a source of ammonia now. It is very easy to do; don't hesitate to do something so easy but can be important later.

 

[Chris27]

My understanding is that it will host any fish, but not LR or inverts.

That is correct, but while the parasite is waiting to hatch it does so on the rock and in the substrate, basically anything wet...

 

[Jacob Sellers]

It depends on how large the QT is and how much bioload there is. 25% weekly is generally far from enough. I think ammonia is waiting to increase, from what I gather.

This time you may not have much option; next time, you should cycle the medium for QT very well.

Ammonia is very toxic to fish.

Even this time it may be better late than never to start a cycle in a separate container without livestock. You use bacteria seed and a source of ammonia now. It is very easy to do; don't hesitate to do something so easy but can be important later.

I forgot to mention that the now-active QT was cycled prior to adding any fish. My LFS keeps poly filter inserts in their system that can be purchased in the event (such as mine) that you need to set up a QT in a hurry.

The QTs are 20l with hang on the back filters. I am keeping one fish per tank.

 

[wooden_reefer]

My LFS keeps poly filter inserts in their system that can be purchased in the event (such as mine) that you need to set up a QT in a hurry.

Yes, if I were to run a LFS I will sell cycled medium with ich free in mind, not bottled bacteria. $9.99 a bunch of cycled polyester floss without contact with fish.

Just for a situation like this.

Why don't more LFS do?

 

[Chris27]

Yes, if I were to run a LFS I will sell cycled medium with ich free in mind, not bottled bacteria. $9.99 a bunch of cycled polyester floss without contact with fish.

Just for a situation like this.

Why don't more LFS do?

Gold mine if you ask me!