lingering cichlid tank issues (with pix)

[gil]

i have a 150g so american tank filled with a variety of juveniles. it has been set up for apprx 8mos and for the most part, everything is ok.

however, i have had WAY too many cases of ich in recent months (currently have a case, depite the fact that i keep the water at 85 degrees). also, the tiger barbs that i use as dither fish seem to be dropping scales (one, sometimes 2 of them have a "bald" spot). and finally, my 3 electric blue jacks now have this brown fuzzy fungus-looking stuff on their noses.

my water parameters all check out (save for elevated phospahate readings) and i am religiously performing 25% water changes once/week.

so what's my problem? there appears to be some kind of lo-level stress that is affecting my smalles/weakest fish -- but i am at a loss to determine what it is...

advice appreciated.

 

[Cross127]

Invest in a turbo twist uv steralizer. It willl get rid of your parasite problem. Maybe step up your water changes to 35% each week. You may think just because they are little yet they dont produce alot of waste but they certainly do. Lower the temp as well to about 80 or so it will be better since it will give they more oxygen and vitality. Also you can be getting the ich parasites from the place you bought your fish from so check them out. Set up some diversions in your tank or hiding spots if there is any aggression towards the smaller weak fish. They will get stressed and will be more prone to disease. Good luck! awesome tank and fish you got there!