When can I add fish to my tank

[ffmd212]

I have a 65gal FOWLR tank. I had an assortment of fish 4 damsels, a foxface and powder blue tang. After the the tang had been in the tank for about a month, it developed ich and died, all of the other fish succumbed to the ich too and paraished, except for the foxface who seems to have recovered. Now, I am a little confused on what I should do. I was told and read that once a tank had ich that it would need to be fishless for about eight weeks to kill of the parasites. I was goning to do this thinking the foxface would die, but since it has not and now appears to be healed I an not sure what to do next. I would like to re-populate the tanks but I want to make sure the ich is gone.

 

[melosu58]

Your tank needs to be fishless for 6-8 weeks. I would say shoot for 8 weeks.

 

[ffmd212]

Your tank needs to be fishless for 6-8 weeks. I would say shoot for 8 weeks.

SO I should try and get the foxface out and keep in a QT?? Even though it has seemed to have survived?

 

[thincat]

You may have to treat as if the foxface had ich when you have him in QT to make sure the ich completely gone. IMO

 

[ffmd212]

ok thanks

 

[melosu58]

SO I should try and get the foxface out and keep in a QT?? Even though it has seemed to have survived?

The foxface might have survived so far but the parasite is still there. As long as there is a fish host there then it still thrives.

 

[ffmd212]

update

Well all fish are gone now, so I am about 4 days into my 8 week wait. Now I do have another question, with all the fish gone will my live rock start to die off? Will I need to "feed" the growth I have somehow? Just curious

 

[melosu58]

I would say add a few flakes to your tank every 3 days and the break down of them will feed your nitrifying bacteria that is on your rock.

 

[ffmd212]

I would say add a few flakes to your tank every 3 days and the break down of them will feed your nitrifying bacteria that is on your rock.

Thanks, I will do that, plus I think a little food here and there will keep my little crabs at bay!

 

[roka64]

I agree with Mike.

 

[ffmd212]

What about adding some coral?

I was wondering, since my tank will be fishless for a couple of months, can I start adding some coral. That was my original plan, to add some coral but of course the ich problem surfaced. I believe coral would not be affected by ich is that correct?