ick free tank

ich has a three stage life, only in the first stage is it visible on the fish. As the cysts on the fish drop off into the gravel the parasites are vulnerable to medication and physical removal through vacuuming. Stage 2 is in the gravel, stage 3 is free swimming looking for a host. Also very vulnerable to treatments with Malchite green, the stage three free-swimmers are the easiest to kill, temperature plays a key role in stressing the parasite and the medications are more effective and in many cases useable at lower doses.

I treat with an 86 degree temp and half doses of Rid Ich for 7 full days. Regardless of how long the symptoms have persisted prior to treatment.

Also, an important note, remove severly infected (dead or requiring euthanasia) inhabitants immediatly.

After a successful elimination of Ich, wouldn't you say the tank was under quarantine for a while? I'd give it a month.

You aren't going to buy fish and just pop them into the aquarium anyway...

Absolutely temperature dependant! If your temp was 80+ degrees (F), I'd say you're pretty safe. Every fish I purchase goes into a Q-tank and is treated for ick -(82-85 temp, salt and formalin) every day for at least 7 days (50% water change daily with gravel vac). If I see ick, then I treat for 9+ days, depending on when I see it.