Timbo2,
Yes, there are many purported treatments for ich. Unfortunately, most of them do not work consistently, or worse yet do not work at all. There are only a few treatments that work consistently and they have all been proven in scientific trials. Those few treatments that are actually reliable cures for ich are: copper, hyposalinity and the transfer method. All of the others are hit or miss or worse. The only alternative treatments that are really even worth a mention are feeding the fish garlic soaked foods and a powerful
UV light. Even the best alternative treatments are not consistent. Formalin does not work that well because it is so dangerous. It must be maintained at a therapeutic level for too long. Formaldehyde is highly toxic and immunosuppressive.
IMO, formalin should only be used in a dip and even then it will not cure ich as the only treatment. Malachite green is also toxic to fish and immunosuppressive, especially to small fish. It simply does not work well.
I disagree with your statement that none of the treatments work consistently or even 100%. In laboratory studies, copper, hyposalinity and the transfer method all work very consistently when administered correctly. Cryptocaryon irritans has been the subject of intense study by the scientific community and it is very well understood. I have to agree with the idea of not advocating the use of copper or formalin to treat ich, because there are better ways. Hyposalinity and the transfer method both work extremely well for wiping out ich. However, the transfer method has been too stressful on the fish meaning that the survival rate is not satisfactory
IMO. With a traditional transfer method of treatment the fish may be cured but the stress of all that handling required can be enough to kill the fish. That is why I worked out a way to refine the transfer method making it a more suitable treatment and improving the survival and cure rate. Hyposalinity remains to be the treatment of choice as it has shown to be highly successful at destroying the parasite while the fish are not weakened of stressed by the treatment.
Oftentimes when any of the other purported treatments appear to work (and that is not often enough) it is a matter of misdiagnosis or the fish developing some level of acquired immunity. Acquired immunity may very well explain why some of the so-called reef safe medications appear to work sometimes. Unfortunately they don’t work often enough.
Not all treatments are equal. I choose only to recommend those treatments that work consistently. After all, I feel that it is our responsibility to use those treatments that offer the highest chance of success.
IMO, and in that of the scientific community hyposalinity is the treatment of choice.
Terry B