What kills ich?
- Thread starter DaisyTattoo
- Start date
All of the above will work, the choice ussually depends on circumstances (type of fish, sensitivity of plants etc.) and personal preference. Every solution will have people who swear by it and people who think something else is better.
Meds will kill ich.
Heat will kill ich
Salt will kill ich.
They all kill ich, however, heat will only kill them if the water is hot enough -- 86*, I think the number is -- and that will kill most fish as well. It's also not guaranteed as some ich can live in that temperature of water.
Heat is usually used with to accelerate the ich cycle, not to kill ich itself, because of above.
The problem with meds is that most of the treatments do not allow or specify a long enough treatment time and therefore much of the ich survives in the substrate. They are also very stressful on the fish and on the biofilter, depending on what types you use.
Some meds cannot be used with heat or they become more toxic. Some meds cannot be used with some fish because it can kill them. Using those types of meds in half-doses as the manufacturers recommend often does not kill all the ich. If a half dose can kill the ich, then why tell people to put a full dose in anyhow? Doesn't make sense to me.
There are some meds that DO work well and do not harm the biofilter and the manufacturers' instructions include a long enough treatment period that will kill all the ich. There aren't many that fall into this category.
The main problems with meds, IMO, are that:
a) many people do not understand what they are doing, see b)
b) people "make up" their own treatment regime based on a little knowledge or what other people have told them worked for them. Doesn't matter if it was salt + heat, they figure that if they mix all three or add heat to the mix then the ich will really be gone. Sometimes that means the fish will be gone as well.
c) the manufacturers do not give enough information as to what is in the bottle. They don't bother to tell you that the medication inside becomes more toxic at warmer temps. They tell you that "sensitive" fish may be adversely affected, but do not tell you what those "senstive" fish are.
d) people do not follow the instructions
I like salt + heat because it's harder for someone new or just getting into the hobby to mess up. No surprises. You're not at the mercy of manufacturers or some strange chemical. No danger to the biofilter, or, for the most part, plants. I've never had a plant die because of salt + heat.
Anyhow, that's just my 2 cents.
Roan
Heat will kill ich
Salt will kill ich.
They all kill ich, however, heat will only kill them if the water is hot enough -- 86*, I think the number is -- and that will kill most fish as well. It's also not guaranteed as some ich can live in that temperature of water.
Heat is usually used with to accelerate the ich cycle, not to kill ich itself, because of above.
The problem with meds is that most of the treatments do not allow or specify a long enough treatment time and therefore much of the ich survives in the substrate. They are also very stressful on the fish and on the biofilter, depending on what types you use.
Some meds cannot be used with heat or they become more toxic. Some meds cannot be used with some fish because it can kill them. Using those types of meds in half-doses as the manufacturers recommend often does not kill all the ich. If a half dose can kill the ich, then why tell people to put a full dose in anyhow? Doesn't make sense to me.
There are some meds that DO work well and do not harm the biofilter and the manufacturers' instructions include a long enough treatment period that will kill all the ich. There aren't many that fall into this category.
The main problems with meds, IMO, are that:
a) many people do not understand what they are doing, see b)
b) people "make up" their own treatment regime based on a little knowledge or what other people have told them worked for them. Doesn't matter if it was salt + heat, they figure that if they mix all three or add heat to the mix then the ich will really be gone. Sometimes that means the fish will be gone as well.
c) the manufacturers do not give enough information as to what is in the bottle. They don't bother to tell you that the medication inside becomes more toxic at warmer temps. They tell you that "sensitive" fish may be adversely affected, but do not tell you what those "senstive" fish are.
d) people do not follow the instructions
I like salt + heat because it's harder for someone new or just getting into the hobby to mess up. No surprises. You're not at the mercy of manufacturers or some strange chemical. No danger to the biofilter, or, for the most part, plants. I've never had a plant die because of salt + heat.
Anyhow, that's just my 2 cents.
Roan
I tried medication for over 9weeks and still the dreaded plague survive - until I read the posted article regarding salt & heat treatment. I followed the article to the letter and within 7 days all signs of ich had gone. Now all I have is happy fish and dead plants. 
I'm With Roan on this one, couldn't vote because all choices will technically kill ich. I have done enough research to claim this as fact not opinion, all will kill ich.
It would be better to specify meds when doing this, there are a few out there that claim to kill ich and do not, but most commercial ich meds are effective despite being harsh on the fish and system.
My personal preference is Salt and slighlty elevated temperatures.
Dave
It would be better to specify meds when doing this, there are a few out there that claim to kill ich and do not, but most commercial ich meds are effective despite being harsh on the fish and system.
My personal preference is Salt and slighlty elevated temperatures.
Dave