Will Bare Bottoming A Tank Help Curb Ich

[Captain Bucket]

Have had a recurring ich problem in my 125 gal FOWLR despite fallowing for 6 weeks, cupramine treatments (in excess of one month), and religiously treating and quarantining new livestock before introduction.

I use ocean water, but I pass it through a micron filter before introduction to system.

Have a 2'" substrate of fine native beachsand (crushed shells) for aesthetics.

Since ich settles in the substrate as part of its life-cycle, would going bare-bottom help my predicament?

 

[szwab]

IMO it would not make a significant difference as long as fish (hosts) are present.

 

[Redfish]

From personal experience, NO, it does not make any difference.

 

[kevin2000]

The tomont stage of ich will stick to just about any surface - including tank walls, snails etc - as such, substrate vs BB doesn't really help.

 

[Captain Bucket]

Okay, thanks everyone... On to plan B.

Status of system as of now. Water parameters are excellent, livestock consists of...

1 Imperator Angel changing to adult coloration.
1 Bicolor Angel
1 Heniochus
1 Royal Gramma
1 Percula
1 Crab Goby

Only Imperator has spots, but I can tell the others are bugged.

Started cupramine treatment in DT.

I tried hypo about a year ago and wiped out my livestock (except for the percula). Anybody have any ideas other than hypo?