Ich question

Chrizzolla · Sep 22, 2018

I have read that eradicating ich in the display tank isnt possible. Is that just for reefs or do FOWLR have the same issue?

James M · Sep 22, 2018

If you put medication into the tank the rocks will absorb it. So it’s for both reef and FOWLR

ndrwater · Sep 22, 2018

To eradicate Ich, the tank needs to run fallow (zero fish) for 76 days. This completely eliminates a host for the entire life cycle of the parasite.
Now.. adding ANYTHING wet to the tank without proper quarantine has the possibility of reintroducing Ich to the system. Different stages of the Ich lifecycle are attached to various things from sand, snails, frags, etc.
By the time we see the typical white spots on our fish, the damage has been done as that is near the end of the lifecycle and reproduction has already begun

Chrizzolla · Sep 22, 2018

ndrwater said:
To eradicate Ich, the tank needs to run fallow (zero fish) for 76 days. This completely eliminates a host for the entire life cycle of the parasite.
Now.. adding ANYTHING wet to the tank without proper quarantine has the possibility of reintroducing Ich to the system. Different stages of the Ich lifecycle are attached to various things from sand, snails, frags, etc.
By the time we see the typical white spots on our fish, the damage has been done as that is near the end of the lifecycle and reproduction has already begun

So, having inverts wouldnt be an issue right?
I just need to take the fish out and put them in quarantine. What medication could I use?

ndrwater · Sep 22, 2018

Chrizzolla said:
So, having inverts wouldnt be an issue right?
I just need to take the fish out and put them in quarantine. What medication could I use?

Depending on the inverts, the basic answer is yes. Things like snails can host the Ich parasite on their shells.
Quaranteening the fish is proper protocol, for the aforementioned 76 days. Copper is the generally accepted treatment for Ich. Copper needs to be maintained at theraputic levels for the duration of treatment or you are just spinning your wheels. Using something like the Hannah Copper checker definitely helps in knowing exactly where your levels are. Many of the instructions that come with copper treatments aren't precise enough to go by what it says on the bottle.
Keep in mind, there are several types of fish that do not do well in copper. Most wrasses fall in this category.
I believe there are some "stickies" on the subject here at R2R for further reading

Chrizzolla · Sep 22, 2018

ndrwater said:
Depending on the inverts, the basic answer is yes. Things like snails can host the Ich parasite on their shells.
Quaranteening the fish is proper protocol, for the aforementioned 76 days. Copper is the generally accepted treatment for Ich. Copper needs to be maintained at theraputic levels for the duration of treatment or you are just spinning your wheels. Using something like the Hannah Copper checker definitely helps in knowing exactly where your levels are. Many of the instructions that come with copper treatments aren't precise enough to go by what it says on the bottle.
Keep in mind, there are several types of fish that do not do well in copper. Most wrasses fall in this category.
I believe there are some "stickies" on the subject here at R2R for further reading

Ill check into them.

pdxmonkeyboy · Sep 23, 2018

Having a DT without ich can be done. I had it for two years. I QTd EVERY fish, three weeks in copper.

In a moment of excitement I added a batch of acans on cultured rock to my tank. Boom..10 days later ich on my tangs.

I had to tear apart my 300 to get all the fish out and put them in totes. Read...nightmare. rocks with tons of SPS on them, it was a horror show.

Honestly, I think it is almost safe to assume that MOST fish have ich on them. If you see a fish at your LFS with ich...now the ENTIRE system has ich.

It's a drag, but honestly, every LFS should tell people they have to QT there fish for a month before putting them into the tank. QT is soooo simple its ridiculous. 20 gallon tank, sponge filter, light, and heater. $40 tops.

Anywho, there are a tremendous amount of stickies on the subject but definately buy a hannah copper checker.

Chrizzolla · Sep 23, 2018

Brian Bieger said:
Having a DT without ich can be done. I had it for two years. I QTd EVERY fish, three weeks in copper.

In a moment of excitement I added a batch of acans on cultured rock to my tank. Boom..10 days later ich on my tangs.

I had to tear apart my 300 to get all the fish out and put them in totes. Read...nightmare. rocks with tons of SPS on them, it was a horror show.

Honestly, I think it is almost safe to assume that MOST fish have ich on them. If you see a fish at your LFS with ich...now the ENTIRE system has ich.

It's a drag, but honestly, every LFS should tell people they have to QT there fish for a month before putting them into the tank. QT is soooo simple its ridiculous. 20 gallon tank, sponge filter, light, and heater. $40 tops.

Anywho, there are a tremendous amount of stickies on the subject but definately buy a hannah copper checker.

I think I will try the Tank Transfer method.