Ridich + Bio-Spira

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gnahc79

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<--noob mistake of overloading the tank, DOH! :argh

I have a UGF and an AC 200 in my 20gal. Timeline:
2/7: new tank, I put in Bio-Spira
2/8-2/10: overload tank
~2/12: remove 4 fish, not overloaded any more
2/14: install AC 200 w 2 sponges, see Ich on 2 of 6 neons, 1 swordtail...the 3 platies and 2 diamond tetras seem fine. Remove carbon & start Ridich treatment (daily dose & water change)
2/14-2/16: All three days - pH 7.6, nitrite 0ppm, ammonia 0.50ppm

I'm considering dropping in an ounce of Bio-Spira again. I want to do it ASAP, but not have it wiped out by the daily water changes. A friend/fish guru said I should be fine adding the Bio-Spira now, but the lfs employee says the daily water changes would probably remove most of the Bio-Spira.

Should I a) wait until the Ich treatment is done...~2/22 or b) do it now during the Ich treatment. :confused:
 
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hm, I think I'll wait until I'm done with the daily water changes.

btw, I read this on thekrib.com:

http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-tests.html
Warning: Amquel and other similar "ammonia-neutralizing'' water additives are incompatible with most ammonia test kits. Water treated with Amquel will falsely test positive for ammonia, even when ammonia is not present. Test kits using the "Nessler'' method are known to give false readings under such conditions.
Click to expand...

I'm using Amquel and the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Master Test kit (Nesler-based). Is the 0.50ppm a false reading? :confused: Should I use a non-Nessler-based ammonia test kit (which one)?
 
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It could be, Amequel turns ammonia into ammonium which is harmless to fish, but, it still registers on most test kits.

I would add the Bio-Spira now, and dump it into the filters instead of into the water. The colony should be set in 24 hrs, then you should be okay to do a 20% w/c. Test your water, also, before the water change as the bacteria will break down ammonium just like ammonia.

HTH
 
eh, sorry to be so bothersome :)...should I dump the bio-spira into the AC sponges and leave the AC off overnight? Or just dump it in while the filter is on?
 
Not bothersome at all. I would leave the filter running so some of the bio-spira will be released to settle in the gravel. HTH
 
well, I dropped in another ounce of bio-spira into the filter the other day. I think I had 0ppm ammonia anyways, but it never hurts to have more :).

Ok, the white spots on my neons do not seem to be falling off. I first noticed the Ich back on 2/14, very very small white spots. On two of the neons they are salt grain-sized spots now. They are still eating, but their swimming is a bit jerky and just yesterday they seem to be hiding more. I have to get another small bottle of Rid Ich since I'm almost out :(.

How long do the cysts stay on the fish, max? 7-10 days? I plan on doing the daily water change/dosage for a total of 12 days (those suckers better fall off), and then do a change/dose every other days up to a total of 16 days.
 
anyone? :) I plan on upping the temp of the water, from 80F to 85F at a rate of 1-2F every 12 hours.
 
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