Let’s Talk Fertilizer & Schedule ( again)

Update! Heater came in but I am not so sure I am completely done seeing ick or ich symptoms. I don’t however have much api ich cure left. ( enough to finish this round as directed) I am leaning towards ordering Seachem ParaGuard since it’s claims to be plant safe and ok for the Pygmy’s + the fact that it does more than just cure ich ( according to label ) I haven’t used it before though.
 
Well, despite the fancy language, malachite green & formeldahyde ("aldahydes" are in this category) is pretty much the "old school" treatment. I'm not sure what "protective polymers" are (sounds almost like plastic coating, doesn't it, lol). To this old-timer, it sounds better than the salt, nitrofurazone & dye you're using (too many ingredients but maybe not enough of any? I don't know if they tell).

I forget after all this long thread what day of treatment you're on... You're getting so close!!! Are the corys still ok? Don't stop tx too soon, you know that.

The heater, well, it "used to be said" that high heat ~92F would kill ich but there is definitely a heat resistant form these days. Higher heat does speed the ich lifecycle & your rams might be ok with that but not your corys, other fish or plants. I would not suggest you do that!

Since you're "almost" done, can you get that med or something similar locally? Yep, you have to read ingredients, but it may be as good as ordering online plus shipping fees &/or time...If you lfs is open & you feel safe to go there. It would be worth a phone call anyway...with a quick search to see if they have something close... (Victoria green is very similar to malachite green)

I'm happy your rams are feeling good!
 
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Well, despite the fancy language, malachite green & formeldahyde ("aldahydes" are in this category) is pretty much the "old school" treatment. I'm not sure what "protective polymers" are (sounds almost like plastic coating, doesn't it, lol). To this old-timer, it sounds better than the salt, nitrofurazone & dye you're using (too many ingredients but maybe not enough of any? I don't know if they tell).

I forget after all this long thread what day of treatment you're on... You're getting so close!!! Are the corys still ok? Don't stop tx too soon, you know that.

The heater, well, it "used to be said" that high heat ~92F would kill ich but there is definitely a heat resistant form these days. Higher heat does speed the ich lifecycle & your rams might be ok with that but not your corys, other fish or plants. I would not suggest you do that!

Since you're "almost" done, can you get that med or something similar locally? Yep, you have to read ingredients, but it may be as good as ordering online plus shipping fees &/or time...If you lfs is open & you feel safe to go there. It would be worth a phone call anyway...with a quick search to see if they have something close... (Victoria green is very similar to malachite green)

I'm happy your rams are feeling good!
Thank you so much, my corys seem to be doing good. I agree raising the heat isn’t preferred. I do have enough to finish the next 48 hour dose and 48 hours later 25% wc . That will complete 3 rounds of api super ick cure doses as directed. I agree I am so so close :) I have not had any losses or even loss of appetite so I am feeling ok, we’re on the right track. I was just hoping to avoid buying more of this exact product. If I completed the dose and ran a second new filter w/carbon for a couple days and then starting a new medication that is of better quality. I did think the Paraguard was similar but I could have had the wrong ingredient in my head.
 
Really? You're only on day 3 of an an every other day tx? It seems like this has been going on longer...What do you mean by 3 "rounds" of tx? Sorry, I've lost it...I was eating dinner...with wine, lol.

Super Ick Cure is different than you've been using, right?
 
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Really? You're only on day 3 of an an every other day tx? It seems like this has been going on longer...What do you mean by 3 "rounds" of tx? Sorry, I've lost it...I was eating dinner...with wine, lol.
It’s totally ok. I am sorry I could have been more clear. After the next dose ( last dose in bottle ) will complete my 3rd round. So one round looks like :
( remove carbon ) dose day 1 , wait 48 hours and dose day 2 , wait 48 hours and do 25% water change
*may need to be repeated.
So each dose is multiple days
 
Ah, I think I understand now. But you still haven't had 7-10 days of no spots right? So time for a new med? Paraguard would be ok...Are you still "low dosing"? I got distracted by the herbal thing for a day or 2. Just go full dose of whatever you have decided to use, this is taking a long time to treat. Watch for distress but stop being so (perhaps overly?) cautious (said in a nice & understanding voice ;) truly). Just be ready to do a WC if the fish seem very unhappy. I'll reread tomorrow to get back up to speed.
 
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:eek:
Ah, I think I understand now. But you still haven't had 7-10 days of no spots right? So time for a new med? Paraguard would be ok...Are you still "low dosing"? I got distracted by the herbal thing for a day or 2. Just go full dose of whatever you have decided to use, this is taking a long time to treat. Watch for distress but stop being so (perhaps overly?) cautious (said in a nice & understanding voice ;) truly). Just be ready to do a WC if the fish seem very unhappy. I'll reread tomorrow to get back up to speed.
You are absolutely correct. Not 7-10 days without symptoms I still see a two or three tiny specs. But yes most of it was at half dose. So I totally get what your saying ;) that’s probably exactly why it’s taking so long. So now do you think I should add this last half dose in the bottle tomorrow as directed? OR should Skip that tiny dose & toss a second filter cartridge in the filter today ( one with carbon ) and let it run like that until the new meds get here? Or just continue this dose to finish the cycle and then jump to the Seachem Paraguard? I figured letting the carbon run a day or two before switching could have its benefit but is it worth the risk of running no meds for 48 hours prior to switching?
 
You might as well use up the med you've been using to keep the tx going even a bit. Sorry not to get back to you sooner. Carbon will remove the nitrofurazone & dye but not the salt. That's ok, you'll gradually get rid of it with WCs.

Oops, still a couple new spots? I'd hoped you were done on Sat. Dang, you're so close...You might wait to WC just to keep something in there working until before you dose with the new med. Each stage takes 2 days or so, maybe 3, that's why you want to continue dosing. Any guesses on when the Paraguard it "supposed to" come? I've heard some shipping is slow these days. Hopefully it comes soon.
 
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You might as well use up the med you've been using to keep the tx going even a bit. Sorry not to get back to you sooner. Carbon will remove the nitrofurazone & dye but not the salt. That's ok, you'll gradually get rid of it with WCs.

Oops, still a couple new spots? I'd hoped you were done on Sat. Dang, you're so close...You might wait to WC just to keep something in there working until before you dose with the new med. Each stage takes 2 days or so, maybe 3, that's why you want to continue dosing. Any guesses on when the Paraguard it "supposed to" come? I've heard some shipping is slow these days. Hopefully it comes soon.
No problem at all
It will be here tomorrow ( Amazon is moving pretty fast actually ) :)
 
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