ich ickyness

[Newfishlover07]

So my tank some how got overwhelmed with ich. Before people get started I'm not stupid when it comes to my fish my set up and how ich starts. My problem is that we have tried the whole raising the temp, the slat, we have even tried meds but nothing is working. We have lost a baby whale, pictus cat, pregnant swordtail, and my balloon molly even though she's in a breeder tank now (not box or net, I have my own little tank set up for mommies to be) is getting worse and worse. I'm about to lose my 300+ dollars worth of fish that are left. Its frustrating to know that we are trying our hardest and nothing is working. If any one has any other ideas or home remedies that could work for ich. Thank you for your help.

 

[Link119]

Salt??

 

[calfishguy]

By how much are you raising the temp it should be at 84-86 and what type of meds are using. Super ich cure from API works well

 

[Newfishlover07]

Link~ I'm sorry I didn't spell that right yes we tried salt

Our temp is at 85... has been for I think four or five days now. We took all the live plants out and threw them out bought new ones which are in our q/t tank now temp for that is at 85 as well. We took all the fake plants and decorations out and put them in our bath as hot as it woulg go and let them sat for about 20 mins then repeated this two more times. We have tried the ich pellets some blue liquid and a couple others. I have been very sick with morning sickness to my fiancee would know everything he's done. We now have five tanks going because we have seperated the fish that are the worst, scaless, our more expensive fish,and our pregnant fish in hopes that if some aren't sick yet we can keep it from spreeding. We have even shut down our 75 gallon tank and are in the process of tearing everything apart along with the filter so we can clean everything. We are throwing out the rocks we do have and getting new ones. The only reassuring news is that my molly has had it the longest but hasn't died yet... I'm hoping something we have done has helped her. I know fish are replaceable but it took me two months to find my baby whale and the supplier doesn't have anymore for slae yet. Thank you for the advice I will keep you posted on new news as it comes

 

[calfishguy]

The blue liquid you tried is probably the liquid super ich cure from API I would recommend putting some in all your tanks because ich is a parasite that lives in the water and the fish that have it should be medicated in there usual tank. When I get ich I always use the powder form of the ich sure I find that it works best and salt. Have you added any fish to your tank lately because it is possible that your ich was In the stores water.

Good luck

 

[Hholly]

It sounds like you are doing the right thing. It just takes some time. Kordon Ich Attack has gotten rave reviews from some folks on here. I used it when I had an outbreak. But I had already raised temp in my tank for days before trying it. Ich went away regardless. Keep temps up for 2 weeks. It always gets worse before it gets better. You should see improvement soon. Anything you can do to reduce stress on your fish will help. Good luck!

 

[Newfishlover07]

I only seperated the fish because I know you can't use some meds on scaless fish and also because my four swordtails that I paid 60 bucks a pc for are not showing any signs of ich and id like to keep that from happening. In just a short time(3 months) my fiancee and I have become very avid fish lovers and we would hate to see everyone get flushed. With that being said we have had these other tanks up and running before the ich breakout.

 

[calfishguy]

Have you added any fish from the store in your tank.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

I just skimmed over most of it.
It has only been 5 days of high heat? You need to give it longer. You need to be patient. Don't throw everything you've got at the tank it will just make matters worse. Turn the temperature up to 86-88. 85 is a bit low you might not be stopping the ich but increasing the speed of the life cycle. No need to remove or replace anything in the tank. Fighting ich is a waiting game. It won't be cured over night.
You can cure it with heat alone. No salt, no meds.

 

[calfishguy]

88 is too hot for fish stick to 86
88 for more than 3 days will kill your fish

 

[Mumma.of.two]

88 is too hot for fish stick to 86
88 for more than 3 days will kill your fish

Lol. No it won't.

 

[SherryD]

I kept my 55g tank at 88 for entire 2 weeks with no problems when I had outbreak of ick. It does take time and does get worse before it gets better! I lost several fish, but most made it through After the 2 weeks, no ick in sight and no problems since. Be patient, it will work! Oh and I did have several corys that were in the tank, I know they don't do well with the salt but I took them out into hospital tank, used heat only and they did fine....came back a little darker in color but have lightened back up since and are their usual silly selves Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[calfishguy]

In my 55 I got the temp to 85 when I had ich I dosed Ned's and four days later my tank was ich free and has been for the past two months

 

[Newfishlover07]

Well considering the fact that most of my fish max out temps at 80 I feel 85 is a good enoughtemp even if it only speeds up the cycle for them to die. We haven't just had it for five days its been two weeks but I havnt had a phone to post about it with and I hate my computer. We q/t all our fish and live plants for a week unless we see signs of concern. The sad part is we've turned our breeder tank into another q/t. So hopefully this gets taken care of before more babies are here... its already killed my remaining swordtail fry. I really appreciate all the help everyone

 

[Mrduna01]

88 is too hot for fish stick to 86
88 for more than 3 days will kill your fish

Depends on the fish. I kept mine at 90 f for two weeks with nothing bad happening. I have barbs and loaches.

 

[Newfishlover07]

As I said I appreciate the help but there's no need to have a battles of the best advice. Everyone has their

 

[CMN]

Another thing you could try is keep the tank were there is less light or cover the tank's sides. Ick dies when there is no light. hope this helps!

 

[Newfishlover07]

Wow that's odd it only posted part of my schpeel lol. Everyone has their own ideas on what's best but if it works I'm willing to try. Sadly but happily we may be moving in not even a week so we are letting our tank cycle then after we move we will replace the fish back into the tank. Been away a couple days but my mom and sister have been checking up on our fish and sending us pictures. The molly appears to be getting bigger and better as well as all the other fish. So thank you to all the suggestions. Oh yes we stopped the meds and went by temp alone and I reluctently raised the temp to 89 so hopefully by the time the move comes most if not all will be gone. Also will the stress of a 20 min move make them more apt to falling back into the ich cycle, and what is the best way to move them to reduce stress.

 

[CMN]

One of the specialist I talk to about ick told me ick is always present in your tank. Your fish get affected by it when the fish immune system gets low and the ick will start to attack. Fish that have ick usually acquire it from poor water condition or stress. When you move I would ask your local pet store what is the proper way to minimize the stress produced from moving. I recently moved baby mollies to college with me, It's about a 20 -25 min drive as well I had to follow a certain instructions from the pet store. But since your mollies have ick it could be different from my case. When I use to clean my beta tank I would give the beta a drop of medicine that calms it down and relaxes them and lowers their stress. This might be a possibility for the mollies but I still believe you need to ask a local fish pet store because like I said every case is different what might worked for me might not work for you. Hope this helps.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

If cured completely ich will not return to a tank unless reintroduced but a new fish or cross contamination from an infected tank. If completely eradicated (including the ich in the substrate) it will not come back when you move.