Please help me get rid of Black Ich from my reef tank

[cam78]

Well this is not the way I wanted my brand new reef to start out. 120 gallon with a 55 Gallon refuge, 30 gallon live rock tank, and a 55 gallon sump. Massive water volume (for me). Running since July and have a single yellow Tang in it. Noticed just a few black spots on it and looked it up. Went away the next day and saw nothing for quite some time. Ordered three fish from this site yesterday, Naso tang being one of them and I again see more spots on my yellow Tang.
Don't know what to do with incoming order of fish. They are coming Thursday. So here are my questions: How do I How do I get rid of the Black Ich in a reef? Also what should I do with fish that are coming? DOes this disease only affect Tangs? The other fish is a sixline and a Diamond Goby.
I plan on removing the Yellow Tang tonight and putting him in a hospital tank. I want to totally erradicate this Ich within the reef. How do I do this successfully? If a UV will help I will go get one. I do have corals, not many bbut they are in there. Should I remove everything and just bomb the tank with something? Please help.

 

[beth]

You need to quarantine all new fish. Reef keepers just don't have an alternative here.
Black ich is treated with formalin bathes to infected fish. Take a look at the formalin bath procedure in the FAQ topic, top of the disease forum.

 

[cam78]

Thank you Beth. But will this kill the black ich that is breeding in my reef/tank? I understand I can kill it on the fish but what about inside the tank. I just did a freshwater dip for 8 minutes and it removed all the black spots on it tonight. Unfortunately I had to return him to the display tank because my hospital tank, which I now have, is not the right temp or salinity.
Or with this formalin bath do I put it in the display tank after each time?

 

[beth]

Yes, black ich can be transmitted in their free-swimming stage. It is not as infectious as the white variety. You can treat infected fish individually, or QT all fish, leaving the reef without fish for at least 3 weeks. Difficult choice to make.
Formalin will destroy your reef. No medication can be used to treat this in the reef tank.

 

[cam78]

So if I leave this reef fish-less for 3 weeks that is the only way to kill black ich? I was reading that it might take longer, close to 3 months to get rid of black ich. I don't understand though how will a Formalin bath kill it if I use it as a bath then return the fish to the tank. Wont this just kill what is on the fish? Sorry just trying to learn this disease.

 

[beth]

Yes, it will kill what is only on the fish. As I said, black ich does not have the infestation power as white ich. You may get away with it. The longer you wait, the less likely that will work, however.
What were you reading that said 3 months? The life-cycle cycle through its various stages in a relatively short time.

 

[cam78]

Originally Posted by Beth
http:///forum/post/3296710
Yes, it will kill what is only on the fish. As I said, black ich does not have the infestation power as white ich. You may get away with it. The longer you wait, the less likely that will work, however.
What were you reading that said 3 months? The life-cycle cycle through its various stages in a relatively short time.
So since this freshwater dip there hasn't been anything on this fish. Is it possible its gone? How long before until It is safe to assume its gone? Im gonna get that stuff you recommend but I haven't had a chance yet. Prob tomorrow Ill get it.

 

[cam78]

Hello?

 

[beth]

I would look at all your fish with a magnifying glass daily for the next mo. After that, if no signs, I think you'll be ok.

 

[cam78]

Two spots on Yellow today. Ughhh!!

 

[beth]

Black ich is most detectable on lighter, solid colored fish. It may be very likely that the others as well have it. Perhaps QT all fish and proceed with the formalin bathes as outlined in the FAQ Topic.

 

[cam78]

The Yellow Tang is the only fish in the tank. Its a new set up really.

 

[denniscoy420]

I would set up that Q-tank move all fish over and wait 4-5 weeks
in the mean time I would turn ur q-tank into hypo, why ur main tank
sits empty( no fish) , the hypo will kill the ick on ur fish, while ur ick dies in ur main tank because it has no fish to host to. SLOW IS ALWAYS BETTER IN THE LONG RUN
 
also if u already order ur fish I would place them in ur q-tank
let the fish get used to the tank for about a week, then start the hypo process
with ur yellow tang
 
Beth she has good advise, s