So i got ich on my DT

[Marc2952]

I just found found out that 1 of my anthias has ich ( i made the stupid mistake of not putting her in QT). My question is how i go about quarantine? I got a 20 gallon qt tank that ive been trying to cycle for the past 2 weeks with no success. I took some marinepure blocks from my DT tank and added dr tims ammonia, the ammonia has stayed at a constant 2ppm. Do i have to empty the tank to start all over again? I fear that maybe time is running out for my anthias ( the other fish dont have any signs of ich even though i know that they all basically have it now).

 

[Redfoxtang]

I would add some more bacteria now that you added more ammonia. As for QT process if it’s just ich I would get copper power and dose tank to 2.0 checked with a copper Hanna checker. The checker improves accuracy as reading a number instead of a color chart. Would do that for 14 days then move fish to a sterile clean no meds tank for observation while you DT sits fallow for 76 days to rid the ich.

 

[Marc2952]

I would add some more bacteria now that you added more ammonia. As for QT process if it’s just ich I would get copper power and dose tank to 2.0 checked with a copper Hanna checker. The checker improves accuracy as reading a number instead of a color chart. Would do that for 14 days then move fish to a sterile clean no meds tank for observation while you DT sits fallow for 76 days to rid the ich.

Unfortunately i only have 1 DT tank available, i will buy a fritz turbo start and add it hopefully it cycles before things get worse in my DT. I have been feeding strict frozen food like mysis shrimp and reef frenzy.

 

[Redfoxtang]

So QT your fish to 30 days in the same QT. Then after 30 do a large water change to remove copper or any meds that are in the tank. Then observe tank while your DT sits fishless for 76 days for ich to run its cycle. Remember any fish in DT is not consider a host to ich. So ALL fish need to be removed for treatment.

 

[Terri Caton]

First of all, you don't need to cycle a QT tank. The treatment for Ich is short with copper. You won't need to do a water change that quickly. After that you need to switch them out of that tank and into another while your DT is fallow. However, since that is not an option for most people, you could put the fish in a bucket with a heater and air stone while cleaning the QT with chlorine then put them back in (after the chlorine smell is gone).

76 days is not true. There was only 1 study done in 1997 which showed it surviving 72 days in a test tube with an antibiotic and at a low temp.

Check out the end of this thread.

Fallow periods: Going Fishless

My correspondence with Dr. Colorni (who co-authored the study) can be found here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/marine-ich-and-temperature.232825/page-2#post-3367199 I asked him specifically about the 72 day fallow period. That’s interesting. Thanks for the link. I agree getting those...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Uncle99]

72 is the amount of time in which one can be 99.9% sure of the eradication.
We go 60, and never a problem, As you lower the days, you increase the risk.
Each reefer is different, depends on their individual situation.