Ich that just doesn't seem to end
- Thread starter 6stringpenguin
- Start date
todd rose
Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9117504#post9117504 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by billsreef
Is understanding the life cycle required to beat it? No. However, folks not understanding the life cycle of Cryptocaryon irritans, aka ich, is why so many snake oil remedies and myths exist. So it does help, and making the suggestion of understanding the life cycle is far from an attack on anyone
Simple statement of fact. No more,no less. Have a nice day
6string, we're glad to help.
Course, we can't stand by and watch drive-by-(tr)uckers jump on our boy Larry. (who was only trying to help) Unfortunately this thread got nasty in a hurry.
Please post more about your setup (reef/fish only etc) and we can be of more help. GArlic seems to be a big help, I'd suggest that you soak your food in garlic extract quickly before feeding. I have even had success crushing a clove right into the tank and some tanks eat it. This seems to create an immune response of some sort.
Do the garlic with each feeding.
You then need to consider how to really treat. Copper is effective, so is hypo. I like doing hypo, as I feel safer.
Course, we can't stand by and watch drive-by-(tr)uckers jump on our boy Larry. (who was only trying to help)
Unfortunately this thread got nasty in a hurry.Please post more about your setup (reef/fish only etc) and we can be of more help. GArlic seems to be a big help, I'd suggest that you soak your food in garlic extract quickly before feeding. I have even had success crushing a clove right into the tank and some tanks eat it. This seems to create an immune response of some sort.
Do the garlic with each feeding.
You then need to consider how to really treat. Copper is effective, so is hypo. I like doing hypo, as I feel safer.
6stringpenguin
New member
I have a fish only setup. I tried Kick-Ich because I have plenty of stars, shrimp, and snails. That seemed to only hold the Ich at bay, never fully took care of it. I just started to use a copper med in a 15 gallon tank for my flame angel (he showed the least improvement out of all of my fish since it started). He died, but I also noticed that he hadn't eaten in almost a week before the transfer, so I assume he was so far along, that the copper just finished him off. Then I placed my clown tang in there. within a day, he looked great, then I went away for a weekend and left my tanks in my fathers care. He added more copper (I told him not to!!!GRRRRRR) and I think it was an overdose that did it. I don't like Kick ICh because it seems to not work in my tank. I personally have had no luck with copper. I have been adding garlic to their food for about a month now. I like the idea of crushing a clove right into the sump. I really want to save my hippo and sailfin tangs. I also have 4 chromis, and 2 three striped damsels, but they seem okay after all the money I dumped into useless medications. I did daily water changes everyday for about 2 weeks, stirred up the sandbed and ran a diatom filter. If I do hyposalinity, can I leave the inverts in there? My salt used to be too lean and I lost a lot of starfish and urchins, so I really don't feel comfortable with the hypo, but I have to get rid of this for my fish's health as well as my sanity.
Thanks a lot guys!
Thanks a lot guys!
you can't leave the inverts in the tank during hypo.
Copper is very unforgiving, too much and stuff dies quickly.
Dont put the garlic in the sump, crush it right into the tank and the fish will pick at it.
Kick-ich seems too good to be true, therefore it probably is, I havent tried it.
My inclination is to say take out the inverts and put them in a different tank then do hypo in main tank. I'm worried though because any residual copper (any at all) will kill them. Even a timy bit absorbed by the silicon. Maybe someone else (bill?) w/ more experience w/ copper can chime in.
If you've been doing the garlic thing, it doesnt seem like it was just a little stress flare-up and the cycle is going to get worse. I'm sorry, but actual treatment seems like it's necessary.
I'd yank out the inverts, and get started. Drain 25% of the water and re-fill w/ ro-di, then do it again tomorrow. Then twice more the following day and you should be close to 1.009.
You will lose any coralline, but after 8 weeks, you can bring it up again, and start fresh. Hate to say it, but there really is no other way.
Copper is very unforgiving, too much and stuff dies quickly.
Dont put the garlic in the sump, crush it right into the tank and the fish will pick at it.
Kick-ich seems too good to be true, therefore it probably is, I havent tried it.
My inclination is to say take out the inverts and put them in a different tank then do hypo in main tank. I'm worried though because any residual copper (any at all) will kill them. Even a timy bit absorbed by the silicon. Maybe someone else (bill?) w/ more experience w/ copper can chime in.
If you've been doing the garlic thing, it doesnt seem like it was just a little stress flare-up and the cycle is going to get worse. I'm sorry, but actual treatment seems like it's necessary.
I'd yank out the inverts, and get started. Drain 25% of the water and re-fill w/ ro-di, then do it again tomorrow. Then twice more the following day and you should be close to 1.009.
You will lose any coralline, but after 8 weeks, you can bring it up again, and start fresh. Hate to say it, but there really is no other way.
If you go with copper, Sea Chem's Cupramine is the best IME. It's tolerated by species that normally don't tolerate the traditional ionic coppers. Also I've found that it will not leave any residual copper in the silicone and glass and such to be of concern. However, any calcerous materials in the tank will adsorb copper and a be problem both during treatment (making it hard to maintain levels) and by leaching that copper back out after treatment is over. Hence, it's best to treat with a bare bottom tank and pieces of PVC pipe for cover that will not adsorb any chemicals
BTW, if your treating a species with copper that needs a sand bottom, use silica sand.
onegreenray
Active member
thanks guys for all the help. hes been drivning me carzy for a month trying to kick the ick. sorry that was bad.
he has an extra 55 gallon. should we just dump the fish in there and hypo that tank. leave the inverts in the main tank?
i usually just use garlic and it kills the ich off in a week or two.
in a fish only should he be using ro water or is tap treated fine? sorry first time doing a fish only tank.
he has an extra 55 gallon. should we just dump the fish in there and hypo that tank. leave the inverts in the main tank?
i usually just use garlic and it kills the ich off in a week or two.
in a fish only should he be using ro water or is tap treated fine? sorry first time doing a fish only tank.
If it was me I would do it in the main tank. I know they say the life cycle is broken with the tank going fallow but I'd rather be sure I killed the F*ckers.
Besides, it's nicer to be able to enjoy the fish in the display tank. They'll probably be happier too. Put the inverts in a small tank w/ powerhead & heater for the duration.
BTW Ray, how's the clown tang? Your purchase made me go out and order one - I have a big fish delivery coming tomorrow, including clown, powder blue and red sea sail tangs.
I'm sure I'll be fighting ich too soon.
Besides, it's nicer to be able to enjoy the fish in the display tank. They'll probably be happier too. Put the inverts in a small tank w/ powerhead & heater for the duration.
BTW Ray, how's the clown tang? Your purchase made me go out and order one - I have a big fish delivery coming tomorrow, including clown, powder blue and red sea sail tangs.
I'm sure I'll be fighting ich too soon.
Spracklcat
Disaster Expert
If you are going to use tap water, let it sit a day with an airstone--the chlorine/chloramine will offgas. Not as good as RO but much better than straight out of the faucet.
6stringpenguin
New member
Ray lives within walking distance of me. He's got an RO filter constantly filling his trashcan. I asked him if I should try that. I have been getting more algae lately, so I think we'll be using his h20 next water change and thereafter. It's my first attempt at saltwater and his first insight at a Fish Only tank, So we've both been learning. I was doing pretty well until about a month ago. Thanks again for all the help guys!
onegreenray
Active member
tang had his ick justin. but it looks like my powder blue is finally laying off. he is now allowed in the top section of the tank and has started eating nori not just off the rocks. where did you order from m. stern?
if so thats where i got my powder blue and naso from.
if so thats where i got my powder blue and naso from.
onegreenray
Active member
thanks chris...lol
justin,
like chris i have 6 tangs in my tank and the aggression subsides the more you add. only thing is i keep up with the maintence since i am only working with a 90 gallon.
i put my powderblue and naso in at the same time and it did help alot with the aggression from my yellow tang. he didn't know which to annoy first.
justin,
like chris i have 6 tangs in my tank and the aggression subsides the more you add. only thing is i keep up with the maintence since i am only working with a 90 gallon.
i put my powderblue and naso in at the same time and it did help alot with the aggression from my yellow tang. he didn't know which to annoy first.
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