Ick confusion runs rampant on the Internet

Elevated temperature is primarily used to speed up the life cycle of the ich parasite. I've never seen heat alone eradicate ich. The salt, at around three tsp/gal, causes excessive osmotic pressure on the free-swimming stage of the parasite, killing it. Will be watching this thread to see the outcome.

Mark
 
You know the temperature has been at 85 or 86 for the past two days and the neons seem to be fine. Actually all the fish in my tank are currently showing no ill effects from the temperature or the salt. They are all swimming happily and eating normally. Some of the fish still have a few spots but for the most part everyone seems to be recovering. Now I understand the life cycle and the key is to not see any new spots going forward but so far so good. I am nervous about leaving the salt and high temps for two weeks but I plan on staying the course.
 
Water changes througout will help the fish deal with any stress from the salt and heat. Just make sure you add in salt to replace that which you take out.

I agree with Mark, I've never seen heat alone work. Heat just speeds up the life cycle of the parasite. Which means if you up the heat and don't add anything to kill the parasite you'll just infect more of your fish. So, in the first few days you will see more spots than you initially had, which typically freaks people out and makes them buy a chemical. But staying the course is what matters. It is my understanding that the life cycle takes about two weeks at the higher temperatures, but could take up to 3 weeks depending on how high you raise the temp. Adding the salt will kill off only eggs and young larvae if I remember correctly, so it is extremely important that you keep the salt concentration up (1 tblsp for every five gallons roughly) for the duration of the time period. Just like antibiotics, don't stop just because it seems better. You have to complete the course.
If you're worried about the stress of heat, add in a few air stones or increase your filter flow if you can. These things will help the fish to cope with the stress.
 
Yes, I am adding salt back in with water changes and gravel vacs. My temp is about 85 or 86. Salt is a little more than 1 tablespoon pet five gallons but less than the three teaspoons per gallon that Mark suggested. Again fish are acting quite normal and happy except for some flashing with some particularly infected fish. I did increase aeration with air stone and lower water levels for surface agitation. Thank you for everyone's responses. I have had ick before and always used malachite and always killed the fish. This is the first time I feel like I am winning the battle. I have only lost one fish so far and I think he was sickly anyway. He was probably patient zero.
 
I guess I've been lucky then. I've eliminated the effects of ich twice, with nothing more than heat and increased water changes and gravel vacs. The initial (and worst) case I had, I used API Super Ich Cure which worked on it's own. This was before I knew of heat/salt, etc..
 
I guess I've been lucky then. I've eliminated the effects of ich twice, with nothing more than heat and increased water changes and gravel vacs. The initial (and worst) case I had, I used API Super Ich Cure which worked on it's own. This was before I knew of heat/salt, etc..


Which leads back to the title of this thread. There is so much conflicting information out there that it can drive a person bonkers
 
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I say go with the method that works best for you and your fish.

Good to hear you have only lost the one. Fingers crossed for a full and speedy recovery
 
I have always used the commercial ich remedies, but have also religiously followed the instructions. I view treating my fish the same as treating my cats/dog for illness, so always follow the directions. Luckily I have only had a couple ich outbreaks in the two decades or so that I've kept fish. The heat/salt method is totally new to me, and I'm glad so many people have posted here. Valuable info. Just hope I don't have to use it.
 
Day 3 Update:

Day three of heat to 86 degrees and salt at 1 teaspoon per gallon. Just completed another water change and gravel vac. Fish are doing really good. Showing no ill effects from salt or heat. In fact if I didn't know better I think they kind of like the higher temperature, but that is probably just wishful thinking. I currently have only 2 neon tetras with any spots and those guys are minimally infected. All of my other fish that were showing signs of ick have cleared up. Even one of the platies which was severely infected has cleared up and has started swimming again instead of hiding under a rock. I have 11 more days of treatment but right now I'm feeling really encouraged with the results. I have still only lost the one fish and everything appears to be looking up. I will continue updates.
 
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