ICH in QT....Need help ASAP

[hogcr8]

When I got the QT I planned on having it up 24x7 365 that way I should never have to wait for a cycle. I put it on a cabinet with wheels so I can roll it out of the way when not needed but will still do the things necessary to keep it up. I always like to get new fish and it's a hassle cause most LFS won't hold them for 3 to 4 weeks for your QT to cycle.
I really appreicate all of your help with this project and you have taught me alot. I think that after this experience I will Hypo any new fish I get and be well prepared for it. Also, I will keep him in the tank for the extra week as you suggest. I would rather take the precaution than to have to go through all of this again. I will post more as things happen. This has been a learning expericene for me and I hope this thread will help others in the same situation.
Do you have any info on the buffer I will be using to keep the PH up???????
More to come..........

 

[hogcr8]

Another question to add.... I have a Refractometer that was set to read at 68 degrees. I made the water last night to be 1.009 so that I would have some water for water changes when the time came. This morning I decided to check the water again and it was still 1.009. I decided to check the temp and it was about 62.5 degrees, hearing that temp can affect the Sal. I decided to put a heater in the water and bring it up to the temp in my QT and tested the Sal again which is 78.5. This time it was 1.013. This is a major difference if I am to keep the Sal at 1.009. Should I be heating the water up to QT temp prior to checking the Sal and making the necessary adjustments??????
Thanks
Cory

 

[nicetry]

Focus on the actual salinity and not the specific gravity, which is temperature dependent. I shoot for a salinity of 14 ppt. Salinity is constant. Yes, your water should be the same temp as your QT, and then adjust salinity from there.
With regards to the buffer, again it's a small tank so use according to instructions but monitor it carefully.

 

[hogcr8]

We are getting there..... Is it normal for them not to eat while the Sal is coming down?????
At about 23ppt still a ways to go but I have until tomorrow night for the full 48 hours......

 

[nicetry]

Originally Posted by HogCr8
We are getting there..... Is it normal for them not to eat while the Sal is coming down?????
At about 23ppt still a ways to go but I have until tomorrow night for the full 48 hours......
Lower salinity should not affect appetite. In many cases fish will eat more as they have more energy. Fish expend less energy on osmoregulation in hyposaline conditions. Not eating may simply be a symptom of the parasite at this point. If the fishes appetite drops way off, there could be something else going on but don't fret about this. My bet is he'll eat well during the course of the treatment.

 

[hogcr8]

Thanks for being here for me during my stress....... I will post an update tomorrow afternoon.........

 

[sepulatian]

What are your current water readings. Do you still have nitrite? This tank was never fully cycled. That will cause them not to eat. How are the fish doing now?

 

[hogcr8]

The tank had been set up for 6 + weeks prior to adding the Emporer. I tested all of the parameters before adding him to the tank. I had recently had a Lyretail Anthias die in the tank due to suiside. She was only dead for less than 6 hours. She liked to hide in the rock and got her head stuck in a cravasse...........
Did a 1 gallon water change this morning and plan on going home at lunch to test all of the parameters and do another change. I will post the info when I get back to work.......
Thanks for caring folks.............

 

[hogcr8]

Here's where I stand. First thing I did was test water.
Sal 1.015
Nitrate 15 - 20
Nitrite .4
Ammo .1
I think I am starting to lose the BIO. I did a 5 gallon water change 3 from my DT and 2 RODI, the Sal was 1.010. Swapped out the floss filters with ones that have been in my DT sump for going on 3 months (kept the old ones just in case this was a mistake)(didn't place the old ones in the sump).
I still have a sponge filter in my sump that has been there for at least a year. I have 2 pieces of it in the filter of the QT right now and can change it if needed.
Retested
Sal 1.014
Nitrate 10 - 15
Nitrite .2
Ammo 0
I am making water like it is going out of style...... Really hope I haven't made any mistakes up til now. The trites and ammo could possibly be from food that he is not eating. I tried to get as much off the bottom as I could when I did the water change. Please let me know If I am doing something worng or am on the right track................
Thanks
Cory
BTW: The tank has been up and running since January 12th............

 

[hogcr8]

Lat update for the night...... Need help.
PH was down to 8.0 added buffer back up to 8.2
Ammo 0
Nitrites still at .2
Nitrates 10 - 15
SG down to 17 PPT - Am going to do one more water change tonight before going to bed and do another in the morning. Run the gamit of test at lunch and will post the outcome.......
Could use some feed back on my last post.....
He is back to eating. Will only take Angel Formula flake but its better than nothing.... Tried Mysis but wouldn't touch it.
Thanks
Cory

 

[hogcr8]

Lat update for the night...... Need help.
PH was down to 8.0 added buffer back up to 8.2
Ammo 0
Nitrites still at .2
Nitrates 10 - 15
SG down to 17 PPT - Am going to do one more water change tonight before going to bed and do another in the morning. Run the gamit of test at lunch and will post the outcome.......
Could use some feed back on my last post.....
He is back to eating. Will only take Angel Formula flake (not much) but its better than nothing.... Tried Mysis but wouldn't touch it.
Thanks
Cory

 

[nicetry]

You're on target. syphon out any uneaten food to prevent fouling the water. Any food the fish eats is fine. He may be uncomfortable from the parasite. Once he feels better he should eat a bit more. I'm wondering if your nitrite test is even accurate if you keep showing a reading. Once you're at 14 ppt. It will be easier to do larger water changes. Monitor the water parameters and the fish's behavior. Just watch for any distress. IMO, you're doing well.

 

[hogcr8]

Things are looking real good right now. It took a little more than 48 hours to get it down but it is finally there. He still has a few white spots so I can't start counting the 3 weeks yet. Ammo is completely gone Nitrites are down to .1.
I am sure I will have additional questions as I go through this experience and next time I will know exactly what to do thanx to this site.
Bringing the SG down was the easy part (I'm guessing). When I go to bring him back up how much can I raise the SG at a time so not to freak him out? I know it needs to be done over 5 to 7 days but not sure how much to raise it with each water change.
If anything bad happens (heaven forbid) I will let you know.
NICE............ I really want to say thank you for all of your assistance. You have been a god send in my whole mess.

 

[nicetry]

When you're done with the treatment, raise salinity back to display levels by 3 ppt a day. Be careful raising it back as too rapid an increase is stressful.
Glad it's working out. It's really not difficult but so many folks are afraid to attempt it, rather opting for bottled stuff that doesn't work.

 

[hogcr8]

I'd rather try something that works and doesn't cost anything than waste my money of the other stuff that doesn't like you said. I will post tomorrow and let you know how it's going...... Wish someone could bring a law suit against them for false advertising..........
Cory