We removed the filter entirely because we didn't know how to take the carbon out and the guy said, it's fine. When this is over in a few weeks, you'll be ready for a new filter anyway. I just did a test on the ammonia using a tetra strip because the lady at the other store told me what I bought, the API (which was recommended here, was useless, and that they use tetra in their tanks). So I used that and the ammonia was high under "stressful" stage. He had me dump triple the dose in though so maybe it locked it where it was? I poured a little bit of prime in there... didn't even bother to measure at this point, any amount will be beneficial to a tank that size and I'm hoping that helps detoxify it a little bit. I don't think I'm planning on waiting 10 days. Maybe 5 or 6 at max and then I will do a 50 percent water change and add the rest of the bottle. Some of the fish don't seem too happy at this heat--at all. I'm really confused what the lack of filter is for because he gaves us stuff that is supposed to boost the filter's performance. I can understand if you remove the filter so that the Ich spores don't get caught there and if you squeeze your filter into the next filter, you could be squeezing those spores into a treated tank. I'm just confused and have always come to the conclusion that my fish will eventually die. The black one with all the spots on its lips and face is very, very lethargic. Hiding at the bottom, staying all the way at the top. Not eating, etc. It's very depressing to leave my fish like this. I don't know what else to do. The other fish seemed pretty ok with the temp increase yesterday to 84 from 79 but now I think they are not happy being above that to about 85. My goal is eventually 86 but I don't know if they can handle it. Why would he give me this product instead of medication for the fish? It's called Microbe-Life Special Blend.
Treating Ich with a Loach
- Thread starter lithe
- Start date
If your carbon is over two weeks old it's pretty much depleted and not a factor anyway. The Microbe Special Blend is just one of those biological additive products that claim to cycle your tank faster. Some work, some don't, but it has no effect on the Ich and right now it's only confusing matters.
Prime @ 5 drops per gallon will detoxify ammonia and nitrite for 48 hours. Salt kills the Ich, but heat only speeds up the life cycle so I would turn that down a bit if they're looking stressed. Adding an airstone or lowering the water level to create more "splash" will help increase oxygen which gets depleted by heat. Do same temp water changes until ammonia tests 0, and vacuum the gravel to help get rid of the parasites. Do not shut your filter off and don't listen to that guy's advise. Between the Ich, ammonia, heat and stress, your fish are in danger but it's not completely hopeless so hang in there and keep us posted...
Prime @ 5 drops per gallon will detoxify ammonia and nitrite for 48 hours. Salt kills the Ich, but heat only speeds up the life cycle so I would turn that down a bit if they're looking stressed. Adding an airstone or lowering the water level to create more "splash" will help increase oxygen which gets depleted by heat. Do same temp water changes until ammonia tests 0, and vacuum the gravel to help get rid of the parasites. Do not shut your filter off and don't listen to that guy's advise. Between the Ich, ammonia, heat and stress, your fish are in danger but it's not completely hopeless so hang in there and keep us posted...
The guy at Petco is psycho. That is a sure way to kill all your fish. What is he talking about? Heat upto 86F. A lot of water changes, python the bottom to get any spores that have dropped off and keep your fingers crossed.
Ok, well, I had removed the filter and threw it out before I posted. Should I add a new filter? My concern is that if I solve the ich, particles of the cysts that drop off will imbed themselves somewhere in the filter and then I'll have to pick them out. I tested the ammonia yesterday night and it seemed similar to the usual 1. I put a few drops of prime in. I tested this morning. Same ammonia, maybe even a bit lighter. No filter, but its still cycling water. I had ich medicine I was about to buy yesterday but one of the people at the store talked me out of it saying to just kill all the fish and start over. There is at least $50 worth of fish in there and that's not really the nicest thing to do either. This is so frustrating.
I still have the temp up. It seems the heater doesn't want to take it beyond 84-85. I haven't re-salted but I also haven't done any water changes since two days ago.
I still have the temp up. It seems the heater doesn't want to take it beyond 84-85. I haven't re-salted but I also haven't done any water changes since two days ago.
There won't be any live spores after you keep the heat up to 86F for a few days. The spores have a very short lifecycle and cannot replicate themselves in the heat. So if the spores are dying and cannot replicate, pretty soon you have none. You don't have to worry about the filter or picking anything out of it. Put the filter back in, do a 35% water change everyday and vaccuum. Keep the heat up and add a little salt and you will have no more ich in a few days.
