Columnaris question... again

[HausMaus]

I've read through the other threads about columnaris.
My question is, however:
I'm taking all my fish out of my main planted tank, including my corys (fingers crossed I can catch them quickly enough without stressing them). I am then going to do a major vac of the gravel, stirring up who knows what.
Then I'm dropping the temp (or just turning off the heater) and putting in a heap of salt (never did this too much because of my corys).
Anything else I can do to reduce this bug in my tank? I don't really want to cycle my tank all over again as the beneficial bacteria have been doing their job nicely. Yet my guppies keep getting sick and I don't know what else to do.
Parameters have been perfect every time I test (once sometimes twice a week).
I'm trying not to break down the tank and start from scratch

 

[coralbandit]

Salt can be a problem for plants?
How long do you plan on keeping fish out of the tank while you treat it?
Columnaris has a 32(on average) day life cycle without host.
Salt is know to do well with columnaris in early stages but not as effective with stronger/more developed issues.
What are you goingto do with fish(treatment?)?
Kanamycin and furan are the chosen treatment now.
Many members have used this so ask around what their results were.

 

[HausMaus]

I have a tank to put them in. To be honest I have one healthy-ish adult guppy and another male who I fear won't make it through the night. Been swimming the current and hasn't eaten and his mouth is all pouty. Anyway, he is now languishing up top nestled in the plants.
I have 4 pygmy cories who are healthy and happy as anything, but they reacted to the worming stuff I dosed the tank with once, then had to do a 50% WC to dilute it, so the tank never got a full dose. They are difficult to catch as I have plants and wood so I haven't used those meds again, in the main tank.
I also have 5 guppy fry left (from 15 I had in the main tank) that are 3 weeks old.
I got a bigger "hospital" tank (12L/3g) that I was going to set up and put all the fish in whilst I treated the main tank.
I can get Furan-2 here in Australia but wow is Kanamycin sulfate expensive!! 5gm for $70! Not sure I can even get it!
I don't know, maybe I should just start from scratch and clean out the tank and sterilise it all. *sigh*

 

[Delapool]

I have a tank to put them in. To be honest I have one healthy-ish adult guppy and another male who I fear won't make it through the night. Been swimming the current and hasn't eaten and his mouth is all pouty. Anyway, he is now languishing up top nestled in the plants.
I have 4 pygmy cories who are healthy and happy as anything, but they reacted to the worming stuff I dosed the tank with once, then had to do a 50% WC to dilute it, so the tank never got a full dose. They are difficult to catch as I have plants and wood so I haven't used those meds again, in the main tank.
I also have 5 guppy fry left (from 15 I had in the main tank) that are 3 weeks old.
I got a bigger "hospital" tank (12L/3g) that I was going to set up and put all the fish in whilst I treated the main tank.
I can get Furan-2 here in Australia but wow is Kanamycin sulfate expensive!! 5gm for $70! Not sure I can even get it!
I don't know, maybe I should just start from scratch and clean out the tank and sterilise it all. *sigh*

I've had parcels of kanaplax arrive in Australia ok. Sometimes I feel it is pot luck but this was inspected/stamped and still made it in.

If it was a mild infection you could try substituting kanaplax for triple sulpha but of the two kanaplax is better as mentioned above.

Another option is romet b which I think you can get still at guppies aquariums.

http://www.guppysaquariumproducts.com.au/romet-tc-2oz.html

 

[Matt68005]

Have you tried Oxytetracycline?
It works just fine against columnaris and pretty much any fish related bacterial infection. It is a powerful Gram + and Gram - oldschool antibiotic, and its used in farmed fish for the last 30 years all over the world.
It is like 3 USD a pound of food.
Always consider treating antibiotics in their food. Putting powder antibiotics in water is costly and IMO just a waste as it binds to minerals like calcium and dosent absorb very well in the fish.
Here is a couple sites.
Antibiotic Fish Flake Food
Ken's Premium Sinking Pellets with Oxytetracycline 2.5mm

 

[coralbandit]

I myself have never used the furan,kanna,or ANY antibiotic to cure my war with columnaris years ago(I won!).
I use potassium permanganate .
Dela said they may be called "condis crystals" in Aust.
It really works .

My link on PP and how to dose or use it and general info.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f17/potassium-permanganate-338314.html

 

[Delapool]

Good thoughts above.

About the only thing myself and others have found doesn't work here is the tetracycline antibiotic which unfortunately is the main one available in Australia.

I did get the PP - will dig up the site tonight. I don't think it was too expensive for 100 grams from I think a hobby farm shop (online within Australia). No troubles ordering.

 

[HausMaus]

Thanks Delapool, that would be super handy.
Just at my wits end to solve this issue.
It was always about water quality and the nitrogen cycle, and once I'd got that sorted, I thought I could relax and enjoy the fish. I really dislike running a graveyard for guppies! My corys have been fine all throughout though, so whatever bug is in my tank, they can handle. May just have to stock hardier fish, don't think my 5yo can handle any more 'Well "So-and-so" died today'.
Speaking of which the male guppy was dead this morning. RIP "Rainbow".

 

[Delapool]

Sad news. Completely given up on neons here. Same problem.

Can't get on desktop but pretty sure it was first link. Also found another one. From memory chemists seemed dear. Also I think I did find a bulk buy very cheap but decided to go with the smaller amount - just as don't expect to use a lot (touch wood).

Some of the postage is outrageous imo in oz. I've seen stuff a little cheaper but postage is double or triple (off soapbox ).

http://www.thefarmstore.com.au/condy-s-crystals-150g

https://www.beenleighfarmsupplies.com.au/eshop/Potassium-Permanganate-Condy-s-Crystals-500g.html

 

[HausMaus]

Thanks Delapool. I presume there are instructions for dosage, or close enough to. Will keep this in mind.
I decided to break the tank down today. Spent 4+ hours with my arms wet!
Cleaned as much detritus out of the bottom of the internal filter compartment (false back), removed the gravel and replaced with new. Did some plant manicuring while I was there, and removed some black algae on some wood, and some brown on the acrylic.
I got some Bactonex from another LFS, he said it didn't affect the nitrifying bacteria. I asked him if he knew about Columnaris and he didn't. Seems weird to me that someone who works with aquariums knows nothing of it. This LFS specialises in marine but they also have fresh water fish.
Anyway, no harm in doing a clean. I had my media in an aerated bucket with the tank water, and the cloudy water once I started it all back up is a good sign the bacteria are still there. I dosed the tank with Bactonex, and will leave it in for a few days, then put some carbon in to soak it up. Might do a PWC then add some additional beneficial bacteria to give the existing a boost.
Then fingers crossed all is well. Might get some platys this time and see how they go.
Still have 1 healthy guppy and one with clamped fins (not holding much hope), plus 10 fry. Whatever survives is a bonus but I don't think I'm going to buy guppies again.

 

[Delapool]

The package I got was just a 150gram plastic bag. I've put it away in a container. No instructions unfortunately if you did get from these sites but CB's link above would get you started (plus pm'ing him).