Salt treatment - first time I've tried it

K

KarlTh

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Feb 15, 2008
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Got some ich spots three weeks after introducing some new ottos (they, of course, appear unaffected). The infection must have been going on all that time but hidden. Anyway, this is the first time I've tried treating it by the salt method, but the last infection I had resulted in a big fish kill because it was apparently immune to the dye based meds I've used in the past.

Wish me luck.
 
Good luck Karl! I have done it a few times so shout if you need any advice from experience. And remember, it always gets worse before it gets better. Hope all your fish have a speedy recovery!
 
jpappy789 said:
Wow, to be honest I would have thought you had experience judging by your posts. Good luck!
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Me too..........but its hard to be knowledgeable in everything! I used to only do the old fashioned heat way but last times two times I got it I tried various medications. One didn't work at all and the other was the Jungle product for scaleless fish which worked out. I think I would prefer to use the salt and heat method next time.
 
It does work surprisingly well...add salt gradually over a day or so to 1 tsp per gallon, and crank the temperature up to 85F if your fishies will handle it. Blacking out the tank is usually recommended if your plants will handle it. Frequent WC's & gravel vacs, too...

Dissolve the salt in water first before adding to tank. I usually mix it in a jar, then gradually add it to my HOB filter box.

And be patient....it will knock the ich down quickly, but there's always a second round a few days later. I'd suggest a week without spots before you go back to normal.

http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/health/ich.shtml

...and there's no 'magic' about returning to normal. Reduce the thermostat to normal...temp will go down gradually anyway due to the thermal mass of the water. Do partial water changes for a few days.
FYI, carbon won't remove salt from water, you just have to dilute it out of there.
 
Last edited:
Did the first 50% water change and returned to EI dosing yesterday. Spots all gone, fish looking fine.
 
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