Well, I completely agree and understand that the med is what is predominately responsible for killing the ich in my tank but I believe that keeping the temp stable @ at least 80 degrees after the ich is cured is what helps keep new outbreaks from starting. Ich does not thrive in consistently warm water & most folks with an outbreak keep adjusting temp too soon and it is that fluctuation I believe that can help the ich return - the life cycle of this parasite is, after all, two weeks so treatment should be at least three weeks with Korden's herbal formula (it can take up to 5 weeks for some infections).
And, yes, it does also help that I my stock is healthy and that I keep my tanks heavily filtrated and I do water changes regularly....that, along with the consistent warm temps keeps ich at bay IME. I have not had a single outbreak since keeping my tank temps steady at 80 degrees. As to what brought my ich infestation to the fore IMO was stress to my clown loaches during a move from one tank to another - I was told a long time ago that ich, as a parasite, is nearly always dormantly present in the water column and stress can be one of the triggers to bring it out.
Any new fish are now always given a very light dose of the herbal med while in their bag acclimating - probably doesn't amount to much, but makes me feel better LOL. I also never add the bag water to my tanks; better safe than sorry & no, I don't quarantine my new fish - my LFS does a very good job of this with fish that it suspects might be infected & I seldom buy fish that are new arrivals.
This was a very good thread - hope it helps Nu-Nu the Eel
