New Ich infection and QT

delta2210

delta2210

New Member
I recently (four months ago) started a new 50 gallon saltwater tank with live rock and live sand. Everything had been going great, with about one new fish every three or four weeks. Then, I got ich. I have lost all the fish I really liked. The only one left is the long-nosed hawkfish that brought the ich and 2 damsels leftover from when I started the tank. I have a nice coral banded shrimp, decorator crab, and a bunch of hermit crabs and snails. I really don't want to kill off $250 of live rock and sand and inverts to save 3 fish that I don't want. The inverts are more interesting to me.
I am using some "kick ich," but that won't clear the infection. I am thinking of basically flushing the remaining fish and letting the tank sit with the inverts for 2 months to clear the infection. What do you think?
Also, I now realize the value of a QT. Do most people keep a copper level in their QT to kill off any ich from the LFS?
thanks
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Well, I have no heart when it comes to damsels, so those I'd flush or just give to the LFS.
If the hawfish is the only other fish, a small 10G tank can be set up for him, and you can treat him in there.
As for the copper in QT. I do not run copper for ich in my QT. Ich can be treated with lowering the salinity level down to 1.009. You can look through our diseased fish forums for information on how to effectively treat ich using this method. Hypo works much better, although it is a longer process, than using copper, as some fish do not respond well to copper treatment.
My suggestion would be to set up a small QT, put your remaining fish in that and hypo them. Leave the main tank fishless for 2 months, this will allow time for the parasite to die off in your main tank and to treat your fish in your QT, you can then add your treated fish, and you should be golden. Once you have the QT, use it with all new fish.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Flush the fish
I mean if you really do not want them....give them away...why kill them??
I have no use for damsels either, BUT still.....
 
J

jstdv8

Guest
I personally like the copper treatment (cupramine) better than hypo
1.) you don't have to have a refractometer (you should have one anyways, but still)
2.) you don't have to worry about the medication reducing its level during the 4 week treatment period. it's basically a set it and forget it application (except when doing water changes)
3.) Every fish I've Qted has acted completley normal throughout the process and eats well.
4.) I've read hundreds of threads and articles on people who used hypo or copper to treat ich and the failures always seem to be with the hypo. IMO it's much more difficult to pull off becuase you have to monitor your water closer for evaporation.
As BLT said there are fish that don't tolerate copper so be aware of that.
 
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