Ich question

[TKOS]

The problem with meds is that they are copper based and if you ever want to keep freshwater inverts (snails, crabs, shrimp etc..) it is best to avoid these. Copper can easily linger in the water for a long time and any amount of copper is deadly to inverts.

I would try the salt method first as it is proven to work.

Cories and plecos should be fine with a 1 tsp per gallon concentration.

 

[Blinky]

quick cure is better as a preventive measure when the chance of getting ich is hig. the best product I have seen on the market is called clout which comes in tablet form.

Clout is REALLY strong stuff. I prefer to use salt and heat with gravel vacs because I know it will work without unduly stressing the fish - IMHO Clout for Ich is overkill, a bit like killing a cockroach with a sledgehammer.

 

[amosf]

The problem with meds is that they are copper based and if you ever want to keep freshwater inverts (snails, crabs, shrimp etc..) it is best to avoid these. Copper can easily linger in the water for a long time and any amount of copper is deadly to inverts.

I prefer salt as well, tho just a note. I don't think Malachite green as used in ich meds is copper based. I know the Malachite green (Copper Carbonate Hydroxide) mineral is, but I thought the med/dye version was some sort of toxic phenyl/aldehyde chemical.

A quick look on the net gives me the formula : N - (4 - ((4 - (DIMETHYLAMINO) PHENYL) PHENYLMETHYLENE) - 2,5 - CYCLOHEXADIENE - 1 - YLIDENE) - N - METHYL - CHLORIDE

or more simply C23-H25-N2.CL

Anyway I though quick-cure was made of the malachite green (the dye and antibacterial/antifungal agent) and formaldehyde and so wouldn't contain copper. Any thoughts on that?