Update: Unfortunately 4 of the 5 five have died. One is alive, and seems to be doing well, he hasn't seemed under too much stress through all of this and didn’t seem to have ich attached to him like the others, not sure why but I hope that he continues doing well, it is our Flame Hawk Fish.
I have listed my QT actions, what do you all think? Mistakes? I definately want to hear all thoughts, I know there is room for improvement! Tempature stayed between 79-80F. Please note that my salinity was a bit higher than I thought, thank goodness for the refractomoter. Plus, I am working on the ammonia, I haven’t been able to get it to lower yet.
(1 CUP= 1 16oz plastic cups)
Ph Nitrate Nitrite Ammonia Salinity Water Change
QT-START8.45.000.00.01.025START
QT-1-1ST HYPO8.45.000.00.01.0258.5 CUPS
QT-1-2ND HYPO7.810.000.00.251.02321 CUPS
QT-1-3RD HYPO7.810.000.00.01.02126 CUPS
QT-1-4TH HYPO7.910.000.00.01.019531 CUPS
QT-1-5TH HYPO7.910.000.00.151.01830 CUPS
QT-2-6TH HYPO8.010.000.00.251.01430 CUPS
QT-2-7TH HYPO8.110.000.00.251.01330 CUPS
QT-3-8TH HYPO8.410.000.00.251.011530 CUPS
QT-2-9TH HYPO8.410.000.00.251.009
QT-Day 18.410.000.00.251.009
Also, after going through this process and trying (hopefully) to follow the procedures in the disease and hypo threads I have some specific questions to ensure that I have done it completely correctly for reference now and later in the QT. Any information would be great!
1-As noted, during the hypo 48 reduction salinity time the Ph easily falls. This happened to me as described in the thread and others, so I added a small amount of Ph increaser each water change, it eventually raised and stablized. Putting this increaser in each time seemed to be the only way to keep it from dropping too far, was that the best way for me to do it?
2-What happens if the water drops below 1.009 during the salinity reduction time? We managed to hit it pretty exactly but we were worried we might go too far down and cause something else to happen.
3-Within this thread in an earlier post (#23) Al Mac mentioned “Amquel plus.” What exactly is this and where could I find it?
4-Freshwater dips-I believe my tank was well into the 4th stage of the ich lifecycle before we could start the hypo. Is that too late to dip the fish in freshwater because I know that that is when they can develop infection? If I do a freshwater dip how long exactly should the dip be, keep them in the water for 30 seconds,1 minute, 5 minutes? What should the fish do after this, their reaction I guess is what I am looking for, can I see a visible difference in the ich on the fish or in the fish’s actions?
5-Garlic-Several of you suggested to feed the fish garlic prior to the 48 hours salinity drop in the hypo treatment. Do I continue to feed them garlic during the entire treatment in the QT also?
6-Some fish I have been told are more apt to get ich, for example: Flag-Tail Surgeonfish the "Dori" tang. Once a fish like that has gone through hypo are they still more apt to get ich? My children have always wanted one of these but I was hesitant because of the ich issue but now with the hypo procedure available...
7-Do you need to QT Corals because of ich or other diseases? If so, how long- three weeks? My concern with corals even though they can not "catch" ich can they bring it into your aquarium via water. I try to never add water to the aquarium from stores or orders but some is on the coral itself or if the coral is a non-air touch coral some water is transferred. Can this transfer disease?
Sorry for the lengthy post but I so want to do the right and best thing for my fish and I always have so many questions. I hope you all understand and that this thread may help others through these problems too!!
