Oscar ich help

[Predatoryfishlover]

Hey, i recently got oscars as growouts for a large(200 gallon) pond. They are only about an inch rn. I have a red, an albino, and a normal tiger. The red has contracted a very severe case of ich. The others really dont seem to be effected. The albino had it for a couple days but doesnt anymore. The normal has never had any dots as far as i can tell and he’s constantly rubbing up against and laying with the red. The red however has just gotten worst. Absolutely covered in white spots. I have been medicating the water with Microbe-Lift herbtana since April 25. I have also been able to raise the temp to 84 which is the most i can get it to. All the while they have all been acting normally and personable as usual. What else can i do?

 

[kno4te]

Would stop the herbtana and start adding salt 3 tsp per gallon. Half the total dose of salt now and the other half in 6hrs. Add a pump for circulation.

 

[Predatoryfishlover]

Would stop the herbtana and start adding salt 3 tsp per gallon. Half the total dose of salt now and the other half in 6hrs. Add a pump for circulation.

What kind of salt? I would prefer not to have to go get aquarium salt rn as we are in a tight financial situation

 

[kno4te]

What kind of salt? I would prefer not to have to go get aquarium salt rn as we are in a tight financial situation

Can use salt from the grocery. Most salts are fine.

 

[Predatoryfishlover]

Can use salt from the grocery. Most salts are fine.

How about epsom?

 

[kno4te]

How about epsom?

Won’t work. Need sodium chloride.

 

[Predatoryfishlover]

Won’t work. Need sodium chloride.

Ok

 

[duanes]

Epsom salt is not NaCl, you need NaCl, so rock salt, water softener salt, kosher salt, etc, as long as the ingredient list is 98% NaCl.
Just because you don't see spots on the fish, doesn't mean ick is gone.
Each spot hatches out up to 100 new ick.
The salt kills the emerging new ick so they can't reinfect.
Heat of 84'F doesn't kill ick, (there are some heat resistant strains where temps in the 90s'F dense;t phase them) it just speeds up the life cycle so the salt can work./you can't kill the spots on the fish, they need to morph into new ick to be vulnerable.
If one fish in the tank has ick, you must consider they are all infected.
I use salt by weight method, because different shapes and grades measure differently, I use 3lbs per 100 gallons (or slightly more to achieve a salinity of 3ppt) your beneficial bacteria are only harmed if salinity goes over 6ppt.

 

[Ulu]

I will do a strong saltwater dip on a fish that bad.
OK I've never actually let one get that bad. . . .poor fish.

If your tank won't go hotter you can insulate the top with folded towels or scrap styrofoam. That will help it warm up.
If you have a canister or sump you can do the same. Costs nothing.
Most of the heat lost goes straight up.

 

[Predatoryfishlover]

I will do a strong saltwater dip on a fish that bad.
OK I've never actually let one get that bad. . . .poor fish.

I was medicating even before it got that bad. I started medicating at one or two spots but somehow it has just exploded. And i will put some instalation foam overtop to kee the heat in