Question about ich...

[Hurley]

I have a question...

About a week ago a bought 2 blue rams. I had them in a quarantine tank to watch them for awhile but they developed ich. I treated with salt but after a couple days they passed away. I want to get another pair and but I was wondering how long it would take for the ich in the tank to die off? The only things in the tank beside the 2 blue rams were some java moss, and some Giant Hygrophila. The tank is a 5 gallon. The tank still has salt in it and after the last fish died, 2 days ago, I cranked the heat up even more.

It is my understanding that ich can’t live without a fish host, but it can be transferred from tank to tank on plants, snails, crustaceans, and filters.

So, how long would it take for the tank to be safe to put more fish in or move stuff like the plants or filters into other tanks?

 

[patoloco]

I'd go the safe way and re start the Q tank from scratch again. Take all out, wash everithnig (including tank) with bleach and let it dry to the sun for 2 days.

Else, I'd wait at least 15 days, but remenrber to seed the biological filter with ammonia to keep it cycled.

 

[IceH2O]

I don't think you have to be as drastic as patoloco states.

Ich will die without a host within a few days.

To be on the safe side I'd put salt at 2 tsp/gallon and crank the heat to 86 degrees. Wait a week to 10 days and it should be safe.

Then do back to back 50% pwcs and you could add fish again.

Just remember you will need to add ammonia to the tank to keep the bacteria alive.

If you have any questions about ich just click the link in my signature that says Most any fish tank problem can be fixed by clicking this link

 

[daveedka]

3-4 days max at normal tank temps is really enough. The ich life cycle (complete usually takes between 4 and 6 days depending on temps, and a good bit of that life cycle is on the fish. So the largest protion of the life cycle has occurred before the ich fell off the fish, so that leaves anly a few days before all ich is dead.
Dave