Paraguard for Ich Treatment

[emcmilla]

I am currently treating a solar fairy wrasse (and Banggai Cardinal since he was in QT when wrasse broke out in ich) with Paraguard. My question is whether anyone has used this treatment and if so for how long?
The directions on the bottle are not clear as to the length of time treatment is necessary. All it says is to use as long as needed so long as it doesn't start stressing the fish. I started with a half dose last night and this evening added 3/4 dose to the tank. From reading Seachem's forums, it seemed better to start with a gradual dose if you are concerned about how the fish would respond to the treatment.
I also have Cupramine but am hesitate to use the treatment, particularly with the types of fish I have. The Seachem website has said that wrasses can sometimes be sensitive to copper (as well as the Banggai Cardinal). Further, I think copper is an extreme remedy and as suggested by the Seachem forum, if the Paraguard does not work, then move to Cupramine.
This morning, the visible signs of ich were gone. However, I know that the treatment will take a lot longer than that.
So, any ideas how long to treat for? I figure the other problem is that it will be difficult to tell when the ich has been eradicated because the Paraguard is controlling the visual indicators of it...

Thanks in advance

 

[Kidd Reef]

i only know of 3 things that are Generally regarded as effective for ich, Thats Tank Transfer Method(TTM) Copper treatment, and hyposalinity(least popular of the three.)

i Reccomend you look into TTM or the cupramine. If it helps any ive currently had my leopard wrasse in cupramine for 4 weeks, and plan on doing another 4 due to the DT being comprimised on the last few days. In my experience if you ramp up the dosage slowly over the course of a week rather than the two days they reccomend the wrasse should be fine.

I suggest you read the stickies on here about ich to better learn how it works and why alot of remedys seem to work but actually dont, and come to a decision from there.

 

[emcmilla]

Thanks for the reply Kidd Reef! I feel kind of silly because I have the cupramine but am so scared to use it!
I have read the stickies about ich and I believe I understand ich's process. If I decide to use cupramine, how long do you think I should wait before starting it, since the tank has paraguard in it already? and for how long?
It's so frustrating that products claim to fix an issue and they actually don't. I am kind of surprised that Seachem would create a product that doesn't work. In my experience, I have found their products very helpful.

Thanks for the help

 

[Kidd Reef]

Thanks for the reply Kidd Reef! I feel kind of silly because I have the cupramine but am so scared to use it!
I have read the stickies about ich and I believe I understand ich's process. If I decide to use cupramine, how long do you think I should wait before starting it, since the tank has paraguard in it already? and for how long?
It's so frustrating that products claim to fix an issue and they actually don't. I am kind of surprised that Seachem would create a product that doesn't work. In my experience, I have found their products very helpful.

Thanks for the help

i believe that has something to do with them not actually having to have that claim backed by scientific evidence or something along those lines, The same issue exist's with Non Regulated pesticides that claim to kill bed bugs, Since they are over the counter they dont have back their claims and alot of stuff on the market is actually ineffectual unfortunately.But if it makes you feel any better cupramine is made by seachem and certainly does work. Just be sure to do at least 4 weeks in comparison to the 2 on the bottle. Ich has an annoying lifecyce that can last up to 72 days at one stage so the more time the better.

Don't feel bad about feeling hesitant on the cupramine. I was concerned as i too owned a copper sensitive fish, I actually have a thread explaining the whole process on my Chief reef account on here. Only one who reacted at all really was my flame towards the end of the treatment.

I'm not sure on how long to wait(or if you have to wait at all with paraguard, not familiar with the product.) with the paraguard, But you could always do a waterchange and run some copper for a day or two beforehand to be safe. Maybe someone with more experinece with those medications can advise on that one.

 

[emcmilla]

i believe that has something to do with them not actually having to have that claim backed by scientific evidence or something along those lines, The same issue exist's with Non Regulated pesticides that claim to kill bed bugs, Since they are over the counter they dont have back their claims and alot of stuff on the market is actually ineffectual unfortunately.But if it makes you feel any better cupramine is made by seachem and certainly does work. Just be sure to do at least 4 weeks in comparison to the 2 on the bottle. Ich has an annoying lifecyce that can last up to 72 days at one stage so the more time the better.

Don't feel bad about feeling hesitant on the cupramine. I was concerned as i too owned a copper sensitive fish, I actually have a thread explaining the whole process on my Chief reef account on here. Only one who reacted at all really was my flame towards the end of the treatment.

I'm not sure on how long to wait(or if you have to wait at all with paraguard, not familiar with the product.) with the paraguard, But you could always do a waterchange and run some copper for a day or two beforehand to be safe. Maybe someone with more experinece with those medications can advise on that one.

Okay. Thanks for the insight. You are making me feel a little better about using the Cupramine. I think I may try it. I really appreciate your response