How much Heat/Salt can my fish handle for ich treatment?

[jaytech33]

Hello all,

Newbie here, though I do stop by often to read up on the topics.

So I have my first ever outbreak of ICK in 3 years of owning fish. Last night I noticed the spots starting on the danios and pink gourami. I need opinions on how much heat and salt my fish can handle. I am strongly against using meds....

Specs:
90 gal tank, (2 )250W heaters, Rena XP3 filter, 2 power heads submersed to create current, and an airstone.
Fish:
I have 5 clown loach(5"+), an L001(14"), 3 gouramis, 1 pink gourami. They are all about 2.5 years old. I also have 5 danios and a gold nugget plec. that are only maybe 6 months old.

So I raised the tank to 87 degrees from the normal 81, did a very thourough gravel vac, 50% water change, and lowered the water level below the spray bar today.

I have been reading ICH info non-stop since last night. Many different opinions about using salt with clown loaches.

What is my best method of attack? Add salt or not? Go with a higher temp?

Honestly I love my fish, if spending the $$ on a UV and/or diatom will save my little guys I would do that too.

Thanks in advance to everyone.

 

[brianjh]

I would put the temp to 85 degrees, use 1 measured cup salt( I use kosher salt, its cheaper) per 50 gallons, shut off the lights, cut feeding down 75% and give them about a week. If the problem persists then go to meds if needed....
I have only had ich in my 55 grow out 1 time...rescued a royal pleco from petsmart....and this method worked, in about 3 days I was seeing improvements and in 6 it was gone....good luck, hope this helps.

 

[Wolf3101]

1 tablespoon per 5 gallons and 86 to 89 degrees is the normal salt treatment that we use. The level is slowly reduced over time... through water changes but any additional treatments in the same tank should have the amount of salt reduced by at least half.

 

[Nick660]

I am strongly against using meds....

I have been reading ICH info non-stop since last night. Many different opinions about using salt with clown loaches.

What is my best method of attack? Add salt or not? Go with a higher temp?

High temp (86*F+) alone is said to be successful against ich.
I've read a fair bit of info regarding treatment of clown loaches and many experienced owners seem to favour meds at half standard dose over salt. The most important thing is to catch the disease in it's infancy and then use a quick and effective treatment.

Ultimately the choice is yours but meds do have their place and shouldn't be dismissed or considered a bad choice.

In my experience of treating clown loaches with ich (on a number of occasions ) they've been fine with meds.

So I raised the tank to 87 degrees from the normal 81, did a very thourough gravel vac, 50% water change, and lowered the water level below the spray bar today.

Sounds good but you may also benefit from adding stronger aeration with an air stone. Sometimes the splash of a spray bar alone is not enough.

Good luck

 

[jaytech33]

Thanks for all the advice everyone.
I checked every corner of the tank. the water is consistant at 87 degrees. I completly forgot I have a diatom filter someone gave me. What a PIA to get going, but I have that running too. So far only some of the fish have ich. Keeping fingers crossed........

 

[brianjh]

Thanks for all the advice everyone.
I checked every corner of the tank. the water is consistant at 87 degrees. I completly forgot I have a diatom filter someone gave me. What a PIA to get going, but I have that running too. So far only some of the fish have ich. Keeping fingers crossed........

be carefull with the diatom that you dont run it for excessive periods of time. They can get clogged and overheat.... I dont have one personally but a buddy has one for his. He runs it for about 2-3 hours once a week.