Will substrate in a QT affect hyposalinity treatment?

jpawson

jpawson

Member
I am currently treating 5 fish for ich using hyposalinity in an established 20 gal quarantine. I have substrate in this tank (crushed coral) and was wondering if that will affect the treatment? The fish have been at 1.009 for over a week now and they are not looking good. The ich has dropped off and has covered the fish again in this time period (severe). I am currently using a glass hydrometer, but I ordered a new refractometer on ---- (should be here by the end of the week). I have treated fish using hyposalinity before, but not with a substrate. Is this causing a problem? I do not want to use copper in this tank! I have seen some rough looking tangs after this treatment. It seems cruel in my opinion. Do you think these 5 fish are stressing because I have them in such a small area? Their primary residence is a 120. Because I am currently using a glass hydrometer, would it hurt to aim for 1.007? Can salinity levels below 1.009 be dangerous, and are they just as effective at treating ICH? I would like to treat these fish using hyposalinity, so any help or advice for my situation would be greatly appreciated. It has only been 10 days in the QT, and maybe I am being impatient. From what I remember in the past, once I lowered the salinity, the white dots quit showing up. So whats going on?
The fish are a purple tang, blue hippo tang, samll perc clown, bar gobie, and a royal gramma.
The water levels are good. Nitrates- 0 Nitrites- 0, Ammonia-0 PH 8.2 (tested last night)
 
beth

beth

Administrator
Staff member

Originally posted by jpawson
I am currently treating 5 fish for ich using hyposalinity in an established 20 gal quarantine. I have substrate in this tank (crushed coral) and was wondering if that will affect the treatment?
No, it won't effect the treatment for hypo, but if you have to use medications, then it is better not to have substrate.
The fish have been at 1.009 for over a week now and they are not looking good. The ich has dropped off and has covered the fish again in this time period (severe). I am currently using a glass hydrometer, but I ordered a new refractometer on ---- (should be here by the end of the week). I have treated fish using hyposalinity before, but not with a substrate. Is this causing a problem?
No, it shouldn't cause a problem. Are you sure you're dealing with ich?
I do not want to use copper in this tank! I have seen some rough looking tangs after this treatment. It seems cruel in my opinion. Do you think these 5 fish are stressing because I have them in such a small area?
Definately. That is why in the future you must QT all incoming fish before they land in your display.
Their primary residence is a 120. Because I am currently using a glass hydrometer, would it hurt to aim for 1.007?
Go down to 1.008 and see what happens. It is not good to reduce below 1.009, but it is unlikely that you have achieved that with the glass hydrometer or you would not be going thru a 2nd round with ich.
Can salinity levels below 1.009 be dangerous, and are they just as effective at treating ICH?
Yes, it could adversely stress your fish or kill them if you go too low. Go slow and reduce to 1.008 until the refract gets to you.
I would like to treat these fish using hyposalinity, so any help or advice for my situation would be greatly appreciated. It has only been 10 days in the QT, and maybe I am being impatient. From what I remember in the past, once I lowered the salinity, the white dots quit showing up. So whats going on?
You are obviously not hitting the target 1.009 SG. If the fish are still eating, also offer them garlic soaked food.
 
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