Ick Treatment Question

[fishyaddict]

I noticed Ick in my 56 gallon tank exactly two weeks ago today, I re-read the ick sticky and began immediately starting the heat + salt method. At first we had trouble getting the temperature up to 86 but after the addition of a second heater we got it to where it needed to be. Unfortunately the site was down so i would of asked this earlier, and i re-read the ick sticky and can't seem to find the answer. So my question is this, How long should we leave the temperature elevated? We have not seen any sign of ick in the last five-six days. Is it ok to
start reducing the temperature, and if so how slowly should we do it?
Thanks
Dave

 

[daveedka]

I would say it's definately safe to start reducing temps, It is probably O.K. to start lowering the salt level as well. 5-6 days is a pretty good sign that ich is gone especially at high temps.
I generally reccomend treatment for a full week after the last sign of ich. The one week reccomendation is actually more than is usually needed, but I prefer to be sure.

Dave

 

[Danny-O]

For my recent (and apparently successful, thanks to "The Sticky") salt & heat ich treatment, I raised the temp gradually from 72 to 86 in small steps over three days. I am in the middle of reducing it back to normal at a similar rate. My particular heater, though, just has a 1-2-3 scale, and not a specific temp control, so I have to proceed extra carefully so as not to overshoot.