Ich help

clb2196

clb2196

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Feb 21, 2009
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2 of my cories have ich spots. :( I added a new fish about 2 weeks ago, didn't QT because it was a store I trusted. Sigh. So far it's only the 2 cories affected. I'm pretty sure I caught it early, cause I did a wc and some rescaping yesterday and I'm positive I didn't see any spots.

I just cranked the heater up. I'm not sure how high the heater I have will get the tank, if I need to I can grab another heater tomorrow. Should I be aiming for 85 or so?

Also- salt. Should I add it, and how much? I'd rather do salt than meds, as I have kuhli loaches, and they're more sensitive to meds right?

Also- how long does the cycle usually last? I'm going to be gone for a week after Christmas. I have someone looking after my tanks, but probably not doing water changes, so I would hafta stop with the salt at the point anyway.

Oh- I also read some advice about doing a blackout? My plants can handle it for a few days I'm sure if I need to. Is that a good idea?
 
Just had another thought too- just did a water change on my 10 gallon last night after this tank with my python. That can transmit the ich between tanks, right? Should I pre-emptively treat that tank? That's my DP tank and I know they're more sensitive so they worry me a little more.
 
The heat will need to be at least 86F. Not sure how kuhli loaches handle the salt treatment so best to research that before adding salt. Take a look at the sticky above called Freshwater Disease Guide here and read through on white spot (ich) and treatment.

Tank blackout is not needed for ich treatments.
 
Consensus seems to be the salt would be bad for the kuhlis, cories, and tetras. so no salt. The heater I have only got the temp to about 82, so I'm going to grab another one today. I've been meaning to anyway.

As of this morning, the cories are still the only ones affected. Everyone else looks healthy, and the cories, besides some flashing still seem pretty healthy themselves. *fingers crossed*

Oh and I'll add an air stone too with the higher temp.
 
Last edited:
RDTigger said:
Sorry to hear..even trusted LFS are no guarantee...
Click to expand...

Ugh, I know. It was an impulse buy- they had a fish I'd been looking for *forever* and couldn't find, and I don't have a QT tank set up at the moment since I haven't needed it.
 
Yes, the airstone will be great for the higher temps. Good luck!
 
in my case I used salt/higher temps (88 for my discus tank) & didn't want to use meds either. but didn't work & it got worst. so I augmented with Kordon's Rid Ich +.

dosing for 5 days str8 the cysts disappeared (the cysts are not affected my the meds but when they burst then it works). then continued for 5days more.

My 72gal discus tank caught it 1st (I to didn't QT but never again will make this mistake!) then my 20gal angel tank.

in both cases Ich was wiped out. but I think we always have Ich lurking around so that's why you have to continue for at least a full 10days str8.

the combo for salt higher temps & Rid Ich + helped me.

also I didn't overdose with salt as some recommend. I used 1/4cup for my 20gal & 1/2 cup for my 72gal.

also was no prob for my albino cories & plecos. but I think it's not good for your kuhlies as you have researched.

good luck.
 
Grrr. Grabbed a heater yesterday. Put it in the tank, put in the airstone, and the heater won't turn on. Sigh. Returning it today adn getting another one.

Good news is one of the bronze cories looked fine last night. I think I may have actually seen the same one twice and thought 2 of them had spots. The one that does have spots seems relatively ok- doesn't seem distressed, but he wasn't eating, either. At least while I was watching.
 
I'm considering buying a uv sterilizer- the one discussed in this thread. Would that be more effective that trying to kill it with heat? I realize I still need to keep the temp up to accelerate the cycle to the point the parasite is free-swimming- but could I raise the temps to about 86 and use the sterilizer? Would it be worth it? It's only $40.
 
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