Finally have ich in my tank

[Caveden]

The salt is effective if dosed at the levels explained above. Lesser dosages won't do the trick.

Temperatures higher than 86F are also effective...unless you have one of those new heat-resistant strains. Temperatures lower than 86F will still speed up the life cycle of Ich, but won't kill it.

I agree wholeheartedly with neutrino above; you must consider the types of fish you have before choosing a course of action. Things like temperature sensitiviy and required dissolved oxygen levels vary from species to species. If you have live plants, that's another concern, as is the presence of snails, shrimp and other invertebrates.

I have no access in Canada to fish medications, but I used just salt and/or heat even before that particular legislative boot came down on my neck. Salt will remain effective until you remove it be means of water changes, so it has much the same benefit as a copper treatment.

For sure, you will need to do something that will continue its effectiveness while you are gone, without relying upon someone else to re-dose or otherwise mess with your tank. Ich isn't the End Of Days for your fish; treated intelligently, it's very easy to control and eradicate. Good luck!

Copper is generally safe for all fishes besides those scaleless correct? I have ordered coppersafe Fritz which would be arriving the day before I go overseas. Just checking in case it affects any of my fish.

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

Copper is generally safe for all fishes besides those scaleless correct? I have ordered coppersafe Fritz which would be arriving the day before I go overseas. Just checking in case it affects any of my fish.

Just make sure you don't have inverts (which I don't think you do in this tank), copper is deadly to inverts.

 

[jjohnwm]

Copper is generally safe for all fishes besides those scaleless correct? I have ordered coppersafe Fritz which would be arriving the day before I go overseas. Just checking in case it affects any of my fish.

I'm responding only because you quoted my comment above...but I have no business making suggestions to you regarding medication. I am literally the last guy to ask. I have virtually no experience with most of them, especially in the past decade, can't even buy them in my country if I wanted to. Salt is safe and works, puppy-dewormer can be useful but it's dosed by guess and by golly, Epsom salt is still available (haven't used it in years)...beyond that I am at a loss. Micro-filters using diatomaceous earth or other ultra-fine media that remove ultra-small particles can be a Godsend, as can UV units. But in terms of miracles-in-a-bottle, I won't suggest which particular members can better answer your question, because...all of them can!

I will say that I would never, ever try something completely novel and different to me...whether copper or otherwise...one day before leaving on a trip. I dunno, maybe it's completely 100% safe...which I doubt, because almost nothing falls into that category. It just seems wrong to me to do that and then blithely fly off, making it impossible to observe my fish for possible adverse reactions...but that's just me.

You're in a pickle, timing-wise; I'll be watching the this thread and hoping things go well, but I'm useless otherwise. Good luck.

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

I'm responding only because you quoted my comment above...but I have no business making suggestions to you regarding medication. I am literally the last guy to ask. I have virtually no experience with most of them, especially in the past decade, can't even buy them in my country if I wanted to. Salt is safe and works, puppy-dewormer can be useful but it's dosed by guess and by golly, Epsom salt is still available (haven't used it in years)...beyond that I am at a loss. Micro-filters using diatomaceous earth or other ultra-fine media that remove ultra-small particles can be a Godsend, as can UV units. But in terms of miracles-in-a-bottle, I won't suggest which particular members can better answer your question, because...all of them can!

I will say that I would never, ever try something completely novel and different to me...whether copper or otherwise...one day before leaving on a trip. I dunno, maybe it's completely 100% safe...which I doubt, because almost nothing falls into that category. It just seems wrong to me to do that and then blithely fly off, making it impossible to observe my fish for possible adverse reactions...but that's just me.

You're in a pickle, timing-wise; I'll be watching the this thread and hoping things go well, but I'm useless otherwise. Good luck.

I agree with jjohnwm@ with this. I wouldn't put new meds in before a trip.

 

[Caveden]

Important with both heat and salt, since both reduce the oxygen carrying capacity of water.

Don't think it was mentioned which species, but it's also a consideration, since high temperatures can stress some fish. There's nearly always more than one way to treat fish illnesses, and factors like water chemistry can make a difference to which is most effective, so as far as I usually go is to say this or that worked for me, but one of things I like about Coppersafe is you can leave it in the tank for 30 days, which should treat the complete life cycle at tropical temperatures-- I've never had retreat afterwards. Might be a good option if you'll be away for a while.

Well I read up on the link you put on your comment. It mentioned how my alkalinity level affects how much copper sulfate I should add. Should I be worried about coppersafe?
The ich has spread to more of my fish in larger numbers including my bichir and I’m paranoid as hell as I’m leaving tomorrow.

 

[neutrino]

I can't honestly speak to that. I've tested hardness, which is related to alkalinity, but I don't test alkalinity directly ( duanes likely knows more about this aspect). My understanding is that, generally speaking, if your water is stable at neutral or higher pH your alkalinity should be at or higher than those levels. Since this has been true of my tanks for over 30 years it hasn't been a concern for me. Before that when I kept lower pH, planted discus tanks I used to use Aquarisol, which also has copper, and I never had any issues-- at the time I tested pH regularly, but this was before I ever tested hardness.

This may be somewhat helpful, but doesn't directly answer your question:
Fritz Coppersafe Product Info Sheet (fritzaquatics.com)

 

[Caveden]

Quick update from my trip back: all the ich has cleared up. Everyone is doing fine so far. Thanks everyone.

 

[tlindsey]

Quick update from my trip back: all the ich has cleared up. Everyone is doing fine so far. Thanks everyone.

View attachment 1532059

Great update

 

[Pufferkeeper]

personally to deal with ice I raise the temps to 88 and add salt to the tank. roughly a cup for 20 gallons and use ich x and usually within 3- days ut is gone and I continue to treat till 3 days after I see the white spots gone