Blue Tang Ich

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Would also check on ph levels in fw dip. May need to use buffer to keep it in-line with the sw. It might be just me, but I feel folks miss this point too often. I lost a pbt to a few dip without checking ph - with temp being almost the same. Used rodi water.

In many parts of the country, it is actually best to just use tap water and adjust to the proper temperature. The chlorine isn't high enough to cause harm in the five minutes the dip takes, the pH of most municipal water systems runs 7.8 to 8.5. The fact that the water is essentially sterile is a big plus. If you use RO/DI you will have to buffer it. Remember, if you make the dip water too inviting, the parasites won't want to leave the fish(grin). Indeed, Neobenedenia flukes often need a bit of agitation to get them to let go...

Jay

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I plan to continue the copper treatment in QT. But was curious if changing over to a fresh ich free tank with copper while the parasites are off the fish and reproducing. Basically TTM but with copper...my assumption is that I would be removing many of the parasites and give the fish some relief before round 2 of parasites reattaching to the fish.

I agree with @Sunreefer on this - stay the course in the same tank (assuming your ammonia level is well-managed). A modified TTM like you envision picks up most of the risk of moving fish to a fresh tank (damaging it, having ammonia problems, etc.) with none of the main benefits (timing it so that the parasites lose out).

Jay

 

[rwreef]

I agree with @Sunreefer on this - stay the course in the same tank (assuming your ammonia level is well-managed). A modified TTM like you envision picks up most of the risk of moving fish to a fresh tank (damaging it, having ammonia problems, etc.) with none of the main benefits (timing it so that the parasites lose out).

Jay

Thanks ! This is exactly the info i was looking for.

 

[4FordFamily]

Wait a moment, 2.0 PPM is fine for chelated copper, but for Cupramine (ionic copper) this is fatal. Cupramine shouldn’t be above .5 maybe .75 for virulent strains.

Copper power and coppersafe are fine at 2.5PPM.

 

[rwreef]

Agreed, I did not go to 2ppm I am around .5 to 1ppm tops. Hard to tell with api test kit

 

[vetteguy53081]

And . . . Be sure to remove carbon/carbon source. Many treat for a few days and state the copper is not working , not realizing that the carbon is removing it quickly.

 

[rwreef]

And . . . Be sure to remove carbon/carbon source. Many treat for a few days and state the copper is not working , not realizing that the carbon is removing it quickly.

I removed all carbon and UV before QT.