troubled 55 gal, could use some help

[fergie615]

Hi everyone, my first post

My 55 is not doing so well. Its about a month and a half old. Fishless cycle in four weeks then added fish in signature plus four that didn't make it. I've been battling ick for about a week. The loaches and the tetras are the only ones to show any signs. Have temp up at 86-87 and did a three day treatment with Quick Cure by Aquarium Products, followed by 25% water change. Started another three day but after one day things looked worse not better, so I started using pimafix and melafix 2 days ago. Things don't look any better so I am lost what to do now. I've lost 2 tetra's and 2 clown loaches. Water parameters seem good amm 0, no2 0, no3 40(abit high, but I'm trying not to do so many water changes while medicating)

I have a 10 gal that I just started up with 4 zebra danios.

I'll take any help, please.

Thanks

 

[adblair]

I have had a recent battle with ich also that cost me 2 clown loaches. One died during treatment, the other lost a lot of weight and died soon after. I treated with salt and elevated temperature. It worked well, but it takes time.
If I were you, I'd do a water change now with thorough vacuuming, forget the chemical treatments, and add salt to my tank.
These articles are very good to help understand the life cycle of ich. While it is ON your fish, no treatment will help - not even the chemical ones that promise a "quick cure" for ich.
http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/health/ich.shtml
http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/salt.shtml

 

[OrionGirl]

An important point--it's important to do MORE, never LESS water changes while medicating. Of course, this means you have to use more medication since you remove some of it. But, the improved water quality is much, much better for the fish. Fewer water changes means more pollutants for the fish to deal with, when they are already weakened. Not good--you want to make their environment better to help them fight the infection.

 

[fergie615]

Thanks for the help