long and little progress

[flyinbrian]

Alrigt here it is.. I have a blue tang that was in my 50 gallon reef. The tang is only maybe 2 inches long. He got ich in my main tank, so I tried hypo on the ich in a hospital tank for 3 weeks. The ich was gone, so I added him back, only to find ich on him again in a few days.(there was probabvly still ich in the main tank). Now he has been in hypo for another 3 weeks and all the ich, but one large spec remains. How could this be? I have also added a copper medication to the hypo tank and the one spot still remains.
now, should I bring the hypo to a lower concentration, because I only have a basic hydrometer, and am guessing it is at about 1.009. And also when and if the ich clears and I put him back into the main tank, what precaustions can I take, or is there anything to add to my main, so he doesnt get it again?
I appreciate your time reding this and helping.

 

[clarkiiboi]

Keep you main tank fishless for 6 weeks, to let the parasite die off with no host. Even though your other fish may not be showing signs they are still hosting the parasite and it will be a never ending battle----you need to put all fish into qt and go from there.

 

[beth]

Guessing is your problem. Using a swing arm hydrometer or a cheap glass hydrometer will not get you to the target specific gravity of 1.009. Anything less than this target is a waste of time.
There are places online where you can get a refractormeter for $70. Also, hypo must be done for min of 3-4 wks AFTER all signs of ich are gone. Meaning that once you don't see any more spots, then you begin counting the days in hypo beginning with 1.009.
Unless you are using a copper test kit to bring the copper up to a threaputic dose, then the copper treatment is useless as well, not to mention exposing your fish to toxic metals for nothing.