Help with clown loaches please - ich

[terror]

Hi,

i've been given new loaches, but they have developed ich Sad
I'd like to avoid malachite green if possible since the tank they are in has lots of fish, and filtration is sump tanks.

i want to avoid recycling if possible.
i've read that salt is bad for loaches?
can i use malachite green? and elevate the temperature of the tank a little?
my tank is barebuttom 300 gallon tank. i have some severums and small arowanas also in th etank.

thanks.

[fishorama]

You can use salt with loaches just add it, dissolved in tank water, gradually over a couple days. I believe the usual dose is 2 Tablespoons/gal (3 T = 1 oz, 8oz=1 cup, since your tank is so large) Raising the temp will speed up the life cycle of the ich, the sevs should be ok but I have no idea with the aros.

I would do frequent vacs to remove as many cysts as possible but remember to add enough salt back to keep the dosage. I'd do 2 weeks but at least 4-5 days past all visible ich & gradually reduce the salt over several days. Good luck.

I have also used malachite green, it can but doesn't always mess up the good bacteria. I think you have to keep the lights off or it breaks down, it's been a while. Again, no idea on the aro.

[terror]

You can use salt with loaches just add it, dissolved in tank water, gradually over a couple days. I believe the usual dose is 2 Tablespoons/gal (3 T = 1 oz, 8oz=1 cup, since your tank is so large) Raising the temp will speed up the life cycle of the ich, the sevs should be ok but I have no idea with the aros.

I would do frequent vacs to remove as many cysts as possible but remember to add enough salt back to keep the dosage. I'd do 2 weeks but at least 4-5 days past all visible ich & gradually reduce the salt over several days. Good luck.

I have also used malachite green, it can but doesn't always mess up the good bacteria. I think you have to keep the lights off or it breaks down, it's been a while. Again, no idea on the aro.
thanks :) i think aros can handle salt and malachite :)
I'll try to increase salt content tomorrow :D

[swany]

I have had great success with a product by Mardel called "copperSafe." One of the reasons I really like this product is that you only add it once and it last for a month. That is long enough for the ich to go through their entire cycle and get killed.

[Mr. Convict]

The only thing you can really do to get it off of your fish faster is to turn up the heat, as ich is untreatable in its first stage (the stage it spends on your fish). As soon as you see it leave your fish, begin treating with the medications and such that other members recommend.

Good luck, I hope your loaches make it through.

[fishorama]

AAck--I told you the wrong dose, it's teaspoons NOT tablespoons. 3 teasp=1 Tablesp, 2 Tbsp (6 teasp)=1 ounce etc. I'm so sorry but I know you're going slow so hopefully you'll see this.

[Mr. Convict]

AAck--I told you the wrong dose, it's teaspoons NOT tablespoons. 3 teasp=1 Tablesp, 2 Tbsp (6 teasp)=1 ounce etc. I'm so sorry but I know you're going slow so hopefully you'll see this.

Thought so.. I was like.. 600 tablespoons? :confused:

But i assumed i was wrong lol.

Everyone makes mistakes :S

[Lupin]

I answered your queries in the other thread.


Did you dissolve the salt, terror? I treat my loaches using heat and salt treatment. Dissolve salt first before adding it to the tank. Try a tablespoon per 5g dosage. What's the temperature right now?


Melafix will not destroy the parasites. Medicines are only a last resort if all else fails.

[terror]

thanks for the help guys :)
i've slowly increased the salt in my tank, i now have 65 tablespoon in my 300 gallon tank, temperature is also currently at 30 Deg celcius , my loaches seem to be better, but my severums seem to have ich too, though they don't seem to be bothered much :D
currently my salt content is at 1 tablespoon per 5 gallon, so will this be able to destroy the ich once they are free swimming?

[fishorama]

That's the trouble with salt, everyone does it different. I'd do at least 2Tb/5gal but Lupin does only 1Tb/5g apparently with good success. Don't forget to vacuum, should be easy with bare bottom & add back enough salt to keep up whatever dose salt you decide on.
After all fish seem clear, keep going for 5-7 days to be sure then slowly, over several days or more, remove the salt through small water changes. Good luck.

[inkyjenn]

aros can handle higher heat. they like to be in the 80-86°F range anyway. they can also handle salt. id try that before the malachite green or coppersafe

[terror]

thanks for the help guys :D
will update again later :D

[terror]

My clown loaches look better :)
but my adult severums look bad right now :)
Salt is currently at 1 tablespoon per 5 gallon, can loaches take it if i add some more salt?
or should i just maintain the current salt level?

[Lupin]

My clown loaches look better :)
but my adult severums look bad right now :)
Salt is currently at 1 tablespoon per 5 gallon, can loaches take it if i add some more salt?
or should i just maintain the current salt level?
I'd maintain the salt level. Strange the severums are like that. Feed them plenty of foods to maintain their immunity.:)

[terror]

I'd maintain the salt level. Strange the severums are like that. Feed them plenty of foods to maintain their immunity.:)
thanks :) they are full of dots and fins clamped, but they seem ok and still eat like pigs, I'll make a 25 % water change and add back the salt.