Ich; some clarification needed

[swifty]

I have had my 29g tank setup for about 8 months now. A week or so ago I added a small 2" BNP, which I believe is what introduced it to my tank. That or some skirt tetras I added a week or so before that from petsmart (first time I bought from petsmart).

Anyhow, a few of the 10 tetras have anywhere from 2-6 spots, and the pleco has the worst of it. Thankfully it hasn't spread to my juvenile cichlids; a firemouth and blue acara. This morning I bumped the temperature up to 86, but the tank was only reaching 82, so I bought another 150w heater. The tank is now at 87, and a lower water level to increase aeration in the tank.

I feed NLS exclusively, with an occasional frozen blood worm/mysis shrimp treat. Two Aquaclear 50s and weekly 33-50% water changes.

I have a lot of plants, so medication/aquarium salt was out of the question. A few things I needed cleared up:

-I read 86 and above is what's best; will 87 be enough to prevent reproduction or kill any of this parasite?
-How long should I keep the tank at this raised temperature?
-I have a sand substrate, and since yesterday have been doing 33% water changes; increase/decrease frequency and how should I deal with the sand?
-Any other tips from others that have been unforunate to battle ich?

 

[Drstrangelove]

87 will be enough to eradicate the parasite
the life cycle is 7 days at 77 degrees and will be shorter at 87
you'll want to keep the tank at 87 for around 12 days to be sure to eradicate all forms of the parasite
do vacuum the sand at first to remove the tomont (dividing stage of the parasite)
if you have other tanks, sterilize all the objects used in the infected tank as any drop of water can transfer the parasite
do not re-insert any siphons tubes, cups, nets, etc into the infected tank unless you have boiled the items
do add aeration to the tank
do not add chemicals to the tank at high heat
do watch for fish being in distress
do reduce feeding as fish will be under stress and ammonia will increase the stress
do keep all filtration running as ich is likely everywhere including the filter
do not stop the heat when you stop seeing the ich on the fish; it has other stages and is not yet dead
at first, ich will seem more prominant with high heat....this is normal

 

[swifty]

87 will be enough to eradicate the parasite
the life cycle is 7 days at 77 degrees and will be shorter at 87
you'll want to keep the tank at 87 for around 12 days to be sure to eradicate all forms of the parasite
do vacuum the sand at first to remove the tomont (dividing stage of the parasite)
if you have other tanks, sterilize all the objects used in the infected tank as any drop of water can transfer the parasite
do not re-insert any siphons tubes, cups, nets, etc into the infected tank unless you have boiled the items
do add aeration to the tank
do not add chemicals to the tank at high heat
do watch for fish being in distress
do reduce feeding as fish will be under stress and ammonia will increase the stress
do keep all filtration running as ich is likely everywhere including the filter
do not stop the heat when you stop seeing the ich on the fish; it has other stages and is not yet dead
at first, ich will seem more prominant with high heat....this is normal

Okay, thanks.

It's been 2 days, and my pleco has cleared up a bit, but now it's on my BA. No other fish have any signs though.

I've let the siphon, net, and cups I use air-dry for the last few days, is that good enough?

I lowered the water level to increase aeration, and so far no distress yet after 2 days. The only thing is my 2 cichlids have become a bit more aggressive to the tetras, but no damage done yet.

You say no chemicals, is that medication only? Can I still keep dosing my flourish excel for my plants?

I've also reduced feeding to once a day, one small pinch, rather than the 2-3 times a day 2-3 pinches per feeding.

 

[Drstrangelove]

Okay, thanks.

It's been 2 days, and my pleco has cleared up a bit, but now it's on my BA. No other fish have any signs though.

I've let the siphon, net, and cups I use air-dry for the last few days, is that good enough?

I lowered the water level to increase aeration, and so far no distress yet after 2 days. The only thing is my 2 cichlids have become a bit more aggressive to the tetras, but no damage done yet.

You say no chemicals, is that medication only? Can I still keep dosing my flourish excel for my plants?

I've also reduced feeding to once a day, one small pinch, rather than the 2-3 times a day 2-3 pinches per feeding.

1) air drying works as long as the objects are completely dry. Siphons may take longer and if not see through could be risky. If you don't want to boil them, you could also dip the net and cups in soapy water for a while. Just rinse thoroughly afterwards. The siphon you could flush with tap water.

2) I don't understand lowering the water level, unless you mean you are creating an overflow into the surface is being created. If so, just watch the fish to make sure they aren't showing oxygen deprivation (gils moving excessively or staying at the surface)

3) by chemicals I was thinking any other treatments for ich. However, I'd hold off on chemicals for the plants as well unless you feel that it's critical

 

[swifty]

Yeah, I lowered the water level to increase the aeration in the tank. I'm sure they would've been fine without but I just did it anyways.

My blue acara actually has most of the ich now, going on 3 days @ 87/88f and he's the only one with it left now. It started with a little, but now he's almost completely covered.