I don't think that the ick would be the result of the cypress knees. It probably came from the newly aquired fish. Slowly crank up the heat to 85 degrees for a few days, and that will take care of the ick.
As for the cypress, it's really never good to get fresh knees for 2 reasons (that I can think of). First is that it could leach chemicals into the water and hurt the fish, as in the above link. Second, is that fresh cypress knees are cut from living trees, and I believe if the cypress tree loses all it's knees, it will die (not 100% certain on this). That being said, I have 4 knees in my aquarium that have been dead for a long time (ie driftwood), and I will only use cypress in my tanks. I am not trying to preach.
Your set up looks great. Hope all goes well.
As for the cypress, it's really never good to get fresh knees for 2 reasons (that I can think of). First is that it could leach chemicals into the water and hurt the fish, as in the above link. Second, is that fresh cypress knees are cut from living trees, and I believe if the cypress tree loses all it's knees, it will die (not 100% certain on this). That being said, I have 4 knees in my aquarium that have been dead for a long time (ie driftwood), and I will only use cypress in my tanks. I am not trying to preach.
Your set up looks great. Hope all goes well.
