Now what, ich

[OutsideBrian]

So my fish are showing signs of ich. I have a coral display tank so I cannot treat it with copper.
My understanding is I need to take the fish out for 76+ days to let the ich die.
I have a not cycled 40 breeder and a cycled 5 gallon I’ve used for copper treating.
Should I start pulling fish out and putting them through copper for two weeks. Move them over to the breeder and then eventually back to my display? Sounds like a long road with 8 fish.
Or is there another recommendation?

 

[HotRocks]

So my fish are showing signs of ich. I have a coral display tank so I cannot treat it with copper.
My understanding is I need to take the fish out for 76+ days to let the ich die.
I have a not cycled 40 breeder and a cycled 5 gallon I’ve used for copper treating.
Should I start pulling fish out and putting them through copper for two weeks. Move them over to the breeder and then eventually back to my display? Sounds like a long road with 8 fish.
Or is there another recommendation?

Sounds like you are on the right path.

If you desire to keep an ich free tank you are exactly right.

Pull all the fish, move them to the copper QT. Keep them there for 2 weeks while the 40 cycles then move them to the 40b for the remainder of your 76 day fallow period.

I would recommend using biospira to Kickstart the bacteria in the 40b and you should be just fine. 5 gallon tank my be a bit small for 8 fish though depending on what they are.

 

[OutsideBrian]

Yes I will definately have to take some time pulling the fish. I have a midas blenny, tailspot blenny, royal gramma, blue damsel, black clown goby and a six line wrasse.
Would less than 14 days in copper qt be ok?
I could always run them back through my copper qt before reintroducing them?

 

[sharpimage]

Remember, nothing from the display set up goes to the qt or 40b. Wet hands included

 

[sharpimage]

Also a good time to redo your scape or change livestock, if you like

 

[Spar]

Yes I will definately have to take some time pulling the fish. I have a midas blenny, tailspot blenny, royal gramma, blue damsel, black clown goby and a six line wrasse.
Would less than 14 days in copper qt be ok?
I could always run them back through my copper qt before reintroducing them?

14 is best to ensure that all parasites have had a chance to jump off the fish. 10 days would be the bare minimum, but really is best to give it the additional 4 days if at all possible. No point in rushing this.

And keep in mind the 14 days countdown starts when the copper gets to 2.0ppm. You will want to raise the copper level slowly prior to that, over 5-7 days. So really they will be in copper for 19-21 days overall.

Consider Chloroquine Phosphate if you want to knock off the 5-7 part. You can just drop the fish straight into a full dosage of Chloroquine. The 14 days will still apply however.

 

[CDavmd]

In the same boat as you despite being ultra-careful with my new system. I've managed to get most of my fish out but two filefish and antennae Goby are going to be a royal pain- might need to starve them into "the net"

In any event the advice given is exactly what I am doing. QT Tank with Copper along with @HotRocks method of dosing General Cure and Metro.

Just thinking though....when done with the copper would it hurt to put them in the sterile breeder and dose CP for extra insurance. Would be a big no no in treating human beings but fish?

 

[Spar]

Just thinking though....when done with the copper would it hurt to put them in the sterile breeder and dose CP for extra insurance. Would be a big no no in treating human beings but fish?

Really is no need to do this, and any additional exposure to toxins is just adding risk to the fish.

 

[HotRocks]

Really is no need to do this, and any additional exposure to toxins is just adding risk to the fish.

Agree. One treatment is sufficient as long as they are clean after one round.

Keep in mind copper is not harmless, it is poison. So it reduces immune system which can lead to other issues. Minimal exposure is best.

 

[CDavmd]

Really is no need to do this, and any additional exposure to toxins is just adding risk to the fish.

Agree. One treatment is sufficient as long as they are clean after one round.

Keep in mind copper is not harmless, it is poison. So it reduces immune system which can lead to other issues. Minimal exposure is best.

Just my paranoia....I should know better. In humans you'd risk super-infections or precipitating C. Difficile-
I guess this has been such a nightmare that I am just terrified it will happen again when I re-introduce.

 

[Spar]

Just my paranoia....I should know better. In humans you'd risk super-infections or precipitating C. Difficile-
I guess this has been such a nightmare that I am just terrified it will happen again when I re-introduce.

I hear you brother. My tank got wiped out by velvet recently. I had two survivors that I ran through CP treatment twice (hence the understood paranoia understanding). I ran the DT fallow for over 90 days. I re-introduced the two survivors and one of them died two weeks later. About a billion things running through my head! But, you have to trust the system.

 

[CDavmd]

I hear you brother. My tank got wiped out by velvet recently. I had two survivors that I ran through CP treatment twice (hence the understood paranoia understanding). I ran the DT fallow for over 90 days. I re-introduced the two survivors and one of them died two weeks later. About a billion things running through my head! But, you have to trust the system.

Thanks bud! always good to be reassured.