Resurgence of ICK after 3+ MONTHS

[jacksparrow]

Hello, I have followed this board for great info and research- Thank you.
I am in need of help on this issue. Ive read the stickies regarding hypo-treatment and successfully eliminated Ick then gave the fish away to my buddies tank. (where they all still remain ick free and healthy) I started an aggressive tank with my SAME ROCK and SAND approx. 2 1/2 months (10 full weeks) later + another full month (3 1/2total) for the cycle. I'm now in month 2 with fish and 1 week ago added a powder brown tang which the fish store has had for over 4 months in the same tank everytime i go in. (they've had it in there when i was still running my old tank setup) Well apparently it has picked up ICK from my tank or brought a new case to my tank. Somehow i feel it just got ick from me, as its been in their window display tank for over a month and i begged to get it sold to me.
I'm pulling my hair out.
The powder is the only one showing signs. I have 2 triggers, SFE, and a dragon wrasse in the tank as well. I have a spare 50G to hypo, I now know i should've quarantined,(won't do that again-..err will from now on) but i buy from the same guy with never an issue. ( the previous case came from an unnamed internet order of inverts) Plus it was kinda aready in its own tank at the store for a while, not in a 10-20 gallon holding box connected with the rest of the fish. I just really feel like it never left my rock or something...
Should i hypo everyone (healthy fish exposed) in the tank? I have a LOT of snails that i can't hypo. Is it possible that the ICK stayed dormant in my tank (rock,sand,snails) for those few months???
Is keeping it fallow again for 6 weeks going to even kill it off??
Happy fathers day to everyone, my present was this headache, hope yours goes much smoother!

 

[beth]

Are you using a refractometer when you hypo?
More likely that the ich came from the fish store, and you re-introduced it into your system. It doesn't sound like you quarantine new fish, is that right?

 

[al mc]

IMHO it came in with the new addition. He/she appeared fine in the LFS display and had Ich but it did not manifest itself until it was 'stressed' by being put into a new environment. A fallow DT for 6 weeks

and proper hyposalinity for 3-4 weeks of all fish in a QT should solve your existing problem. As Beth suggested it is important to use a calibrated refractometer to do hypo safely and properly.
If everyone is eating and appears 'happy' set up the 55g, cycle it well, then start your hyposalinity. Many losses occur during Ich treatment in a QT that are ammonia/trite toxicity because of a poorly cycled QT (and not from the Ich itself).
BTW: Welcome to swf.com

 

[spiderwoman]

I agree on the infestation coming with the new fish. Who knows maybe there was a new fish introduced to the same tank as the Tang was a LFS a week ago and that's when the Tang got it.

 

[jacksparrow]

thank you for the replies. In most instances i do quarantine from any lfs, but neglected to this time thinking i was safe buying from a seperated 'show' tank.

I'm going to order a refactometer today as i only have used a hydrometer for water mixing. I'm going to get all the fish into the 55G today and see how they all react to being in the smaller tank together. It has been running fishless with just hermits, snails, LR,+ LS for months so i have some transfering to do between the tanks. I should've used this tank for the tang right off the bat, until proven healthy. (this is where a smiley that is kicking himself goes) THanks A LOT for this site, boards, and your help! I will be posting some pics of my tank when i get it photo worthy and healthy. What an addictive hobby.

 

[beth]

Hobbyists can not rely on fish stores, or anyone else, to make sure that the fish they are getting are parasite free. Always quarantine, and you will have a hobby experience with a lot less stress and aggravation.
Getting a refractometer is the best choice for hypo, but also for everyday use. Swing arm hydrometers are highly, and even dangerously, inaccurate. If you are using a swing arm, my advise is ditch it now. You can pick up a glass hydrometer at the LFS and use it until your refract arrives.