How do I know when the tank is Ick free?

[mjime714]

I had an outbreak of Ick and it killed my 4 2.5" loaches really quick (The Ick came from some new fish I introduced into the tank... I really should invest in a quarenteen tank). My female GT and a 2 of the my 4 Silver Dollars got some spots as well, but not as bad as the loaches who were covered with them. The other fish were fine.

When I first noticed the Ick, I did the temp raise and salt solution for treating Ick and now all my fish look great and there are no signs of flashing or spots (except for my loaches who died a couple days after starting treatment). I have been treating them like this for the passed 2 weeks, so now my question is;

When is it safe to get some fish... clown loaches... again?

Thanks!

MJ

 

[guppy]

If you treated for 10 days with salt and temp at mid 80s then after you returned the tank to normal it should be good. There is no real way to be sure except that you are not having an out break.

 

[danepatrick]

the ich parasite is actually always in the water. it's when your fish become succeptable to it that they get it. but like guppy said, as long as you are not having an outbreak, things should be fine. i would use some aquarium salt on a regular basis. imo it keeps the fish healthy and keeps them from catching it. good luck!

 

[rkc772]

if you have the $$$ buy a uv sterilizer. it can help but it doesn't guarantee 100%. it will reduce the problem significanty though.

 

[mjime714]

Thanks for the info everyone! Ill try my hand at the loaches again this weekend.

Any advise on the best way to prevent another outbreak?

 

[rkc772]

Thanks for the info everyone! Ill try my hand at the loaches again this weekend.

Any advise on the best way to prevent another outbreak?

try to remember what you did before it happened. usually if it's a new fish i would quarantine it for 2 weeks and see how's the fish before adding it to your community tank. i usually had ick when i change water, my fault.. i opened the garden faucet at full blast making temp go down in a few minutes (now i use a drip type way of doing it). and i got a uv sterilizer now. just a back up safeguarding my fish.

 

[cichlid savage]

Another good thing to remember is don't overstock your tank, and make sure you have adequate filtration. Proper stocking levels and good water quality helps prevent many different diseases.

What size tank do you have and what are the inhabitants?

 

[mjime714]

Its a 150gal:
2 GTs
1 Bichir
4 Silver Dollars
4 Africans

I do 50% water changes weekly.

Im running a wet/dry sump, 2 penguin 330's and an Eheim Pro II 2226

Before I introduced a couple Geo's, I went Ick free for 6 months with 4 loaches and 4 more africans in addition to the fish I listed above. A little more than a week after I introduced the Geo's is when I got the outbreak. I believe thats when it was infested.

 

[guppy]

Thanks for the info everyone! Ill try my hand at the loaches again this weekend.

Any advise on the best way to prevent another outbreak?

Inspect all new fish for signs of ich and if possible quarantine for at least a week, use 1 tablespoon salt per 5 gallons water as a usual level, don't overcrowd your tank, and avoid letting fish get chilled as it lowers their resistance.