my tank in the past has had ick attacks and one of my smaller tanks that i just introdeced fish into has had an ick attack i have done some research and was wondering if the temperture raising and salt treatments actually are usefull or if the pharmacuticals are actually better to use.
temperture method of fixing ick
- Thread starter Ravenfish
- Start date
100% . The heat/salt method is the only one I use now and for the past several years. It is simple and I have never lost a fish to Ich. I always add 1 rounded tablespoon of salt (non-iodized) per 5 gal of water. I add this slowly over 2 days and I up my temp slowly to about 82-84 degrees. If you do water changes all you have to add is the salt for the amount of new water. The heat speeds up the life cycle of the Ich, so it will seem like it is getting worse but it is the Ich growing faster. When it drops off the fish it cannot multiply in the substrate because of the salt. You will see fewer and fewer spots and when all of the fish are clear I would keep the salt/heat treatment for about a week longer. After that gradually reduce the heat back to your regular temp and reduce the salinity with several small (20%ish) water changes over the next week. Loaches and other scaleless fish are usually the first to show signs of Ich and the last to get rid of it. They are a good indicator when all of their spots are gone, you have it beat.
is it safe to add salt to an aquarium for the purpose of treatment if only 1 fish is affected by ich? i have 2 convicts ( 2 1/2" and 1 3/4") 1 firemouth (2 1/2") and 1 black molly (3") in a 29 gallon and the larger convict has a cyst at the base of his dorsal fin i just noticed tonite
Electropunk, once one fish in the community tank is affected, the entire tank has to be treated because anyone in contact with the infected has the potential to become a disease carrier.