Last time I had an ich outbreak, I added 1 tbs of aquarium salt per 5 gallons. Increased the heat to 89 degrees and added another bubble blowing powerhead to the tank for extra aeriation. I always thought when the temperature goes up, oxygen levels go down. The ich cured up in less than a week with no casualties and no chemicals were necessary.
Salt in Oscar tank
- Thread starter Keeper of Chunga
- Start date
my oscar had ich, he was kinda large (7"-8") and I heard it was common for large O's to get it when moved from tank to tank.
I did aquarium salt and temp at about 85 and it was gone in 2 days. I swear by the salt treatment now.
Also would like to add that I used rid-ich first and after a week didn't see any significant changes. I stopped after my mother decided to feed the fish and covered the entire surface of water with pellets, so I did a massive water change and netted all the fishfood out and had to put the carbon from teh filters back in. Thats when I used salt and it got rid of the ich so fast.
I did a tablespoon per every 5 gallons. The next day I would add a bit more, and then a bit more.
I know that a ton of freshwater fish are more tolerant of salt than people let on. At the LFS near me, they toss cups (yeah like 8oz) of salt in to some of their 40 gallon tanks. They say it helps them heal up faster, and they have a lower mortality rate because of it. So I say go for it.
I did aquarium salt and temp at about 85 and it was gone in 2 days. I swear by the salt treatment now.
Also would like to add that I used rid-ich first and after a week didn't see any significant changes. I stopped after my mother decided to feed the fish and covered the entire surface of water with pellets, so I did a massive water change and netted all the fishfood out and had to put the carbon from teh filters back in. Thats when I used salt and it got rid of the ich so fast.
I did a tablespoon per every 5 gallons. The next day I would add a bit more, and then a bit more.
I know that a ton of freshwater fish are more tolerant of salt than people let on. At the LFS near me, they toss cups (yeah like 8oz) of salt in to some of their 40 gallon tanks. They say it helps them heal up faster, and they have a lower mortality rate because of it. So I say go for it.
Raising the temperature does lower the amount of oxygen in the water - the ich parasite is extremely sensitive to the oxygen levels in the tank - thus raising the temperature will hamper the parasites reproductive cycle.
I don't think that salt is something that needs to be added. The common denominator in everyones advice here is just raising the temp - dosages of salt are the variables.
If no salt was added and the temp just raised to 85-89 range, plus the fish's natural immune system and slime coat production (boosted by some stress coat product) I think would work. No salt needed.
The commercial meds are rough on the fish - mine is doing the "laying on the bottom of the tank" routine.
The ich is on the mend today - much less and now basically just some spots on the edge of his fins. The other fish are now showing no sign of it. Time to start the WC's to dilute the meds, but I am going to keep the temp at the 85 range for the next 2 weeks to make sure all ich reproduction cycle times are roasted in low oxygen, high temp environment.
Next time there is ich, I am going to just try the high temp's with no salt and no meds. I guess only experimenting will answer the question for sure. Thanks all for the tips though - especially about how high the temp can go without affecting the oscars (90 degress is freakin warm!! Even at 85 my tank feels like a warm bath here in the wintery land of northern NY).
I don't think that salt is something that needs to be added. The common denominator in everyones advice here is just raising the temp - dosages of salt are the variables.
If no salt was added and the temp just raised to 85-89 range, plus the fish's natural immune system and slime coat production (boosted by some stress coat product) I think would work. No salt needed.
The commercial meds are rough on the fish - mine is doing the "laying on the bottom of the tank" routine.
The ich is on the mend today - much less and now basically just some spots on the edge of his fins. The other fish are now showing no sign of it. Time to start the WC's to dilute the meds, but I am going to keep the temp at the 85 range for the next 2 weeks to make sure all ich reproduction cycle times are roasted in low oxygen, high temp environment.
Next time there is ich, I am going to just try the high temp's with no salt and no meds. I guess only experimenting will answer the question for sure. Thanks all for the tips though - especially about how high the temp can go without affecting the oscars (90 degress is freakin warm!! Even at 85 my tank feels like a warm bath here in the wintery land of northern NY).
