fulcrum
Member
Things were going too smoothly. I set up a 14 gal nano, its been running very well for a little over a month. Mini cycle occured quickly, but I did use live sand, rock from established tanks and "purified ocean water" (for what its worth I know there is plenty of debate over the usefulness of this product, but its done well for me over the years). I have since done a major water change.
I have placed a couple of corals (cheap and small.....but they are present). And a couple of small black ocellaris clowns. I have checked the water every other day since the cycle, and frankly I have never had a tank with water conditions this good so early. So far optimum conditions Ammonnia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates <5ppm, pH 8.1-8.2 (has drifted a little...but come on).
Well yesterday I came into my office and everything looked fine. When the lights came on, however, I realized my clowns were covered in Ich (I am 99% sure). From nothing the day before to total covering of little salt sized grains.
Here's the twist....I had to leave town for 2 days, and thanks to tropical storm Fay, my office is closed anyway...so I gave the clowns a 4 minute freshwater dip and hoped for the best.
When I am able to get back in there on saturday I'm worried I'm going to find two dead fish. Does ich kill that quickly? I tested water again and the parameters are still perfect, so hopefully the dip will give them a little relief until I can get back.
I cant hypo the tank or treat with copper due to the cleaner shrimp and corals. I suppose I can continue to dip the fish and feed them garlic, but is that realistic?
If I lose the clowns, how long do I have to wait before adding more fish (I know there is a lifecycle which ich will die off without a host)? I assume the corals are not affected?
I have placed a couple of corals (cheap and small.....but they are present). And a couple of small black ocellaris clowns. I have checked the water every other day since the cycle, and frankly I have never had a tank with water conditions this good so early. So far optimum conditions Ammonnia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates <5ppm, pH 8.1-8.2 (has drifted a little...but come on).
Well yesterday I came into my office and everything looked fine. When the lights came on, however, I realized my clowns were covered in Ich (I am 99% sure). From nothing the day before to total covering of little salt sized grains.
Here's the twist....I had to leave town for 2 days, and thanks to tropical storm Fay, my office is closed anyway...so I gave the clowns a 4 minute freshwater dip and hoped for the best.
When I am able to get back in there on saturday I'm worried I'm going to find two dead fish. Does ich kill that quickly? I tested water again and the parameters are still perfect, so hopefully the dip will give them a little relief until I can get back.
I cant hypo the tank or treat with copper due to the cleaner shrimp and corals. I suppose I can continue to dip the fish and feed them garlic, but is that realistic?
If I lose the clowns, how long do I have to wait before adding more fish (I know there is a lifecycle which ich will die off without a host)? I assume the corals are not affected?
