Marine Ich ??? Not In Above Faq

[mconley8001]

Hello all, I am new to saltwater fishtanks and I enjoy everyone's post, they have been very helpful. THANKS! I have a question that I cannot find the answer to though.... Tank just finished cycling about three months ago. I added two clowns and a variety of damsels, you know starting off slow and cheap to see what happens. One of the damsels has ich (salt grains on fins etc) and another (different type damsel) looks to be contracting the same thing. I'm setting up a QT to move the affected fish into and treat with Hypo for 4 - 6 weeks. The questions is do all the other fish in the tank have to be moved as well, even though they show no visible signs of Ich. I appreciate the help in advance.

Mike

 

[Jerry W]

To be safe, all fish exposed should be treated. Some fish won't show visible symptoms, but can harbor the parasite at sub clinicla levels. Treat only a few fish and then put them back in the display tank, and they are exposed again. How large is your QT? Is your tank a reef or FOWLR.

 

[downhillbiker]

i second that. in order to run a clean system you need to run the display tank fallow (without fish/host for the parasite) for 6 weeks. if your qt is big enough put them all in there and treat with hypo and i use copper power. this product is much less toxic than other copper treatments. in both tanks i would raise temp to 82 degrees to help ich cycle faster. this will help you kill 5 or 6 cycles instead of 3 or 4. i am a believer in garlic on their food. add garlic extreme from kent marine to their food to help keep them eating and boost their immune system.

once you do all this work it is very important to keep it from happening again. keep all new fish in qt for 4 weeks minimum, but preferably 6 weeks, and it will save you so much headache. PLEASE follow these directions, many of us have learned the hard way and been impatient and put fish back in after 3 weeks just to have it come back stronger and KILL.

i also use a 36w uv sterilizer on my display tank, but have it paralleled with 2 hoses and tees on the return line and valves on each hose to control flow. slower flow=higher kill rate.

 

[mconley8001]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your advice. I figured the same thing, might as well get this over with ASAP. My DT is FOWLR so I know I can't treat in there. There are also a few inverts. My QT is 20 gal so all fish will be fine in there for 6 weeks. Apparently I should assume all new fish are infected, irregardless of how they appear! Well, wish me luck.....................