emergency please help

[ian]

I just ran into a similar problem. The best solution is a water change on your main tank. Take the water from the main tank's water change and use it in the QT tank. Then you can use a heavy copper based medicine to help the fish. You should hurry, I lost a tank full before getting to this point
good luck

 

[timsedwards]

Hi Ian,
Ive done a 15% water change already in my main tank and am feeding them with garlic along with the treatment mentioned above.
I decided not to use a QT for this batch as the stress of moving the fish and changing the water every day for a month seemed a little bit silly for me, so I am cycling the tank so it will hopefully be ready safely in 3 weeks or so, but fingers crossed this medication method above will work!
Thanks for the help,
Tim.

 

[ian]

Hi,
I really wish you luck. I had the exact same situation and I came home for lunch one day a few weeks ago. I lost a huge blonde naso, true percula pair, lopezi tang, bunch of damsels and cheaper fish. The only thing that fixed it was a uv sterilizer. They problem got so bad the parasites ate the eye out of one of my tangs that is still alive with only one eye. I guess my point is don't wait to long you may regret it. You should be able to do another 15% without any trouble. Do you have a small tank you can use?

 

[timsedwards]

Hmmm havent thought of UV sterilisers....I thought they were a bit detrimental and not too good for the tank as well? So UV kills all parasites so your fish will never get a disease?
I relly hope it works too, i havent cycled my QT yet so in an emergency if it all goes wrong I can put them in there, but maybe its psychological but the clown already looks better, but time will tell, I will keep you posted!
All the best,
Tim.

 

[ian]

The UV can't cure the fish but it can cure the water. If you QT the fish then and take care of the water with a UV everyhing is back to healthy. At that point you can turn the UV off if you need to. Just a thought but it worked for me. There is a great place a few hours from me I got a corallife UV for abouot $119 brand new. Not a bad investment if you think about the cost of losing fish.
Best of luck,
Ian

 

[timsedwards]

So a UV will destroy anything in the water? INcluding Ich before it reaches its host? Why cant you keep it off all of the time?
Thanks,
Tim.

 

[ian]

A UV will destroy just about any parasite in the water. The thing to remember is the fish will remain sick they can't get through the U.V. Many fish stores leave them on 24/7. The are two downsides to this. The first is you will replace the bulbs more often. The other is some people feel it does kill some healthy bacteria some people say that is entirely untrue. I have talked to a few marine biologists about this and they tell me if you have a lot of coral then 24/7 is not ideal. BUT BUT BUT I have run mine non stop since I got it and it knocked out the worst ich I have ever seen. This ich made it through 3 cycles of kick ich and had eaten huge holes through several pectoral fins , big enough I could stick a pencil through them. After 2 weeks of running the U.V all ich was gone!!
I also think I read that you are going to use RX. That will often kill your inverts so follow the directions very close, primarily the part about adjusting your protein skimmer.

 

[timsedwards]

Yes I spoke to the guy in charge of Kent and he advised me.....what do you mean about the skimmer? He just said to keep an eye on it and make sure it is a) on 2) empty the cylinder frequently so it will skim as that is very important? Is that what you were referring to?
All the best,
Tim.

 

[ian]

Hi,
It has been a while since I used it but read the label there are specific instructions on the very first part of the directions that reference your protein skimmer. I do not remember 100% but the use of pepper is basically a heavy irritant. Harsh enough to harm the parasites not the fish. Also the reason the inverts may die. Don't get me wrong it is a good product but it is harder to use than your cheap "dose and go" medicines.
Great luck,
Ian

 

[timsedwards]

yes all it says is to maintain it is on and creating bubbles, which it was merrily! Thanks for your double checking tho for me!
Tim.

 

[eng50]

First, I would like to praise Tim, he is constantly trying to do the best he can for his tank and researching as many options as he can. This however brings many differing opinions on this board...Its hard to sift through all that info and try to pick whats right for an one as an individual.
Tim, UV sterilizers have been debated many times as to effectiveness, benefit, and detriment. However, those that use them will be the best source of info on there use and effectiveness! There may be many reports, and official studies, but the bottom line is actual experience, such as you will find in many things in life! I do not use a UV unit, but I have as yet, not had a reason to, if/when I should have any disease issues, i would seriously consider one, as several friends here have used them with good success, and no problems other than maintenance issues like the bulbs, cleaning etc. When you think of the cost vs benefit, if about $100.00 can add a significant decrase in disease than in this hobby thats a good invstment especially since you can easily turn it on and off when you like!!
As far as your Kent Biologist contact, good for you! trying educated other options are a good idea IMO, if things work out well, then we all will benefit from your experience. Be aware others will still be skeptical, as they have not used or have little info on this type treatment and other types have worked for them. The only way we can further this hobby is to expand our knowledge by educated trial and error, and I believe you are on a beneficial path..
Good Luck, hope all works well and will be following your posts on this!!
Bill

 

[flamehawk]

About UV's. All I can say is that I have not had an ich breakout since installing 2 years ago. Don't know if it's coincidence since I should also say that I'm much better at doing the right things today then I was when I started 4 years ago.