Orange Shoulder Tang w/ Ick

[aquarius]

Ok, I've read just about everything there is to know about ick in general but how does it pertain to my situation. I have an Orange Shoulder Tang with visible ick, a Lemonpeel Angel and 2 Green Chromises in a 70 gallon f/o w/o lr tank. There's a protein skimmer, 2 powerheads and a fluval 303 for filtration. What should I do as far as treating the tank? I would like to stay away from copper and look towards cures like garlic, hyposalintiy, etc. So does anyone have any input? Thanks in advance!

 

[beth]

Well, the good news is that you have a FO tank. No LR, no LS and no inverts. This will make treatment much easier.
The best course of action is hyposalinity. Over a 48 period, gradually, and in small increments, reduce the SG in your tank to 1.009. Adjust the progress of the salinity change based on how your fish are coping with the change. There really should be no problem. Now, after all visible signs of ick have disappeared, wait 1 month, maintaining the SG at 1.009. Know that with lower salinity, your PH will also be lower. You want to keep the PH at the same level that your tank is now, so take a reading before beginning hypo, and maintain the PH at that level throughout the treatment.
Following the month, if all is well, then, gradually you can increase SG back to normal levels, say within a 4-5 day period. In the meantime, feed your fish garlic soaked food.
You do not have to change out anything in your tank and you can keep all your filters running, etc.
Good luck!