Ich - Save the fish and plants

[LonBeMe]

I've my first ich outbreak (on Serpe and Neon Tetra's - not on others yet) in my somewhat heavily planted tank.

Much I read is about raising the temp and adding salt. I thought the salt is bad for plants. Comments? If ok - how much?

If meds, what's best?

Thanks!!

 

[Ms.Bubbles]

Although I have never done it myself, I have read numerous reports that salt and high temperatures are not detrimental to most plants when done for a short time.

I refer you to this article, in case you haven't seen it:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39759

Dave comments on use of salt, meds and plants.

 

[rrkss]

I'd treat with 2 teaspoons of tablesalt per gallon and a temperature of 80*F and you will be ich free in 14 days without damaging the plants long term.

 

[Quartermain]

Uh.. for the sake of your peace of mind I will reveal a somewhat embarassing fact. I misread the instructions for ich treament the first time I did it (I've done it twice in two tanks) and I added Tablespoons instead of teaspoons per gallon. :thud:

My plants did just fine. The issue is durration. The fact is most plants are really quite hearty. They can withstand several weeks and probably a lot more without any ill effect.

The fish don't care about a bit of salt. Some actually are healthier for it.

Avoid medications for treating Ich. They're no good for your aquariums biosystem and inferior to the salt/heat treatment anyway.

 

[ks_tetra]

What about aquarium salt-or does it need to be treated with only table salt? I notice a few of my cardinal tetras getting white spots-in the past I've had pretty good luck with using medications but my tetras are in a planted aquarium-do I need to raise the temperature also?

 

[rrkss]

Aquarium Salt is fine. I said tablesalt since most people have it on hand, it is cheap (I treated my tanks for ich for about $0.42) and works well but aquarium salt will do the trick also.

 

[misopeenut]

you can put some chile peppers, i dont know why it works but it did for me.
all you do is put it in the tank, change it when it gets soggy and starts to fall apart.