ICH question

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dkknight

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Aug 2, 2003
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I have a 29 gallon marine tank with a false percula clown and long nose butterfly. I just noticed white cysts on the butterfly and am already applying Kordon's Rid Ich+ and am aware of doing the 25% water change and treating a few days after the cysts disappear.

Questions: The aquarists at the petstore said it was not necessary to remove the filter or carbon, It would seem to me that it is. What do you think?

If I do remove the filter, how long do I keep it out of the system? If it's recommended that I keep it out for the length of the treatment wouldn't that drastically decrease the quality of the water?

Anyone know how long it takes with marine fish until I see the cysts disappear?
 
Until you see the cysts disappear is not long enough for a course of treatment...you need to use it until a full life cycle for Cryptocaryon has been completed. That depends on temperature, among other variables. Is this a FOWLR or reef system? If so, you may kill some of the invertebrates with this treatment!

I would remove the carbon, but what other filtration would you have? Live Rock? Skimmer?
 
Just a standard saltwater marine tank. no invertebrates, no skimmer, no live rock.

Once the cysts disappear i do intend on continuing treatment for a few days as i'm aware of the ich lifecycle.

so when i remove the filter do you know when i can replace it? or am i supposed to keep it removed for as long as i'm applying the treatment?

and does anyone know about how long it takes for the cysts to disappear?
 
Generally you replace the carbon filtration after the usefulness of the last dose of medication is done...i.e., if the meds are good for 24 hrs., then 24 hrs. after the last dose is administered...
 
Originally posted by dkknight

Once the cysts disappear i do intend on continuing treatment for a few days as i'm aware of the ich lifecycle.
Click to expand...

You are going to need to continue treatment for a MINIMUM of three weeks after cysts are no longer visible. With SW Ich, if one protozoa makes it alive to a fish, you will have 600 more within 5 days. SW Ich is incredibly persistant, and if you are going to rid your tank of it, you will need to treat until cysts are no longer present, and then continue for another three weeks to a month afterwards.
 
If you can, move the fish from the main tank for treatment. Use a bare bottom tank, daily vaccuming and water changes for 3 weeks.

Leave the main tank fish free for at least 6 weeks. Bring the temp up to about 84 for the entire time. Without a host, the parasite dies off, and with the raised temp, it's life cycle speeds up. However, you MUST start using a q-tank for new fish, or the parasites will be re-introduced.
 
Originally posted by OrionGirl
If you can, move the fish from the main tank for treatment. Use a bare bottom tank, daily vaccuming and water changes for 3 weeks.
Click to expand...

If i do this, should i wait until the cysts disappear? Should I move the butterfly and what seems to be a non infected clown to the same tank?

Today the butterfly didn't eat and i noticed her very inactive and breathing heavily. It even looked like more cysts appeared on her head. Any ideas on what's happening? Has it just gotten worse?

thanks to all for all the advice so far!
 
The Ich is spreading. It goes for the gills first, hence the rapid breathing. By the time you can see the cysts, it has done most of the damage. I have had excellent success treating Ich with No-Ich Marine available at www.drsfostersmith.com It is reef safe, and won't harm corals or mobile inverts. However, you must continue treatment for at least three weeks after symptoms are no longer present on your fish.

If you use a QT, do what Oriongirl posted and use a copper treatment. Copper is extremely effective against Ich, but cannot be used in your main tank because it is toxic to invertabrates, and will remain in the tank for years, meaning any furture inverts will also be poisoned.
 
Agree with Kreblak
Never,never ever treat a display tank with copper.
It will leach into the substrate and remain for a very long time.
 
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