LR during hypo

[jrisgr8]

I just aquired a new Valentini puffer that is showing signs of ich (about 3 spots). Puffer is swimming fine and eating great, color still looks good. Only symptom is spots. He is in the main tank because the tank was empty (fishless) for 8 mos. I do have LR but the amount is not very significant. It is enough where I could put it in a 5 gal bucket I have here at the house with some salt water or my extra 10g tank. I do have a 10g. QT that is not running, but is available if needed. Do you think it would be better to treat the main tank and not relocate him and stress him further by another move? If so, would the LR be alright in the bucket/tank if I added the tank water that I take out to do hypo? I also have a PH availabe to put in with the LR if necessary. The LR can not hold ich correct? No fish, no host right? I know this could not have come from my tank as it was without fish for at least 8 mos.
Also, I know that you decrease SG over 48 hours. How often do you change out water and what is the max. decrease in SG you sould do at one time?
This is very frustrating as every fish I have aquired in this hobby has come down with this parasite. It is enough to make me want to throw in the towel. I feel so bad for the fish.
Here are my readings:
Tank size: 65g
PH 8.2
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 5-10 (a little high, I know)
Calcium: 400
Temp: 81
SG: 1.022
Fish fed: Form. 1, Brine w/ spirinula, Mysis, algea sheets, and Form 2. All being soaked in Zoe, Zoecon, and Garlic.

 

[caomt]

id just go with the garlic soaked food for a bit and do a r/o water change

 

[evanish]

Garlic isn't a good idea to put one the fish's food. All type of garlic have been studied and none of them have been proven to prevent ich. Most likly when feeding garlic, the fish can get a skin disease from garlic and later on kill him. ( Ive had a kole tang that got the skin disease )
Now for the real question, ich can be in your liverock. Leave all the liverock in the main tank and don't put any in the qt tank. Then try to get the fish out without stressing him out too much and put him in the qt and start hypo. Once there are no fish in the main tank, let it sit fishless for 4-5 weeks and by that time, all the ich will be died and your fish will be done with hypo and it would be safe to add the fish back to the main tank.

 

[anthonynyc]

Garlic isn't a good idea to put one the fish's food. All type of garlic have been studied and none of them have been proven to prevent ich. Most likly when feeding garlic, the fish can get a skin disease from garlic and later on kill him. ( Ive had a kole tang that got the skin disease )
QUOTE]
There are a number of studies that show and explain why garlic can help fishes that have ick.
Read here for more info.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/194842/interesting-article-regarding-garlic-and-ick
Just curious what you think after reading that article.
Thanks,
Anthony

 

[beth]

Yes, you can use the main tank, and relocate your LR and any inverts that you have. Do you have a refractometer?
And I agree that garlic can help, but it is certainly nothing I would place a bet on.