Ich problem!

[boxman]

I came home all happy today with my new Ixus 700 digital camera all ready to put some photo's on the site when to my alarm I noticed my male ram had a few white spots on him.

I'd seen this before but after a few minutes it had gone (just airbubbles from the powerhead!)

This time it does look like white spot - the only problem is I'm off on holiday for 2 weeks this Thursday and my folks who are looking after the fish have no clue on fishkeeping!!!

My options seem to be

1) Treat the tank with ich treatment (any UK brands anyone recommends?)
2) I have just aquired a 3gal tank but it only has an airstone and has not been cycled (idea to use it as a quarantine tank).

I'm panicing obviously due to going away shortly and I don't want to come back to an infested tank and I know I'm not going to enjoy my holiday as much now!!

Also, no new fish have been introduced for about 3 weeks and I did last water change just over 1 week ago, tested chemicals recently and all were perfect with a PH of 7.25-7.5.

Any thoughts / advice would be REALLY appreicated.
Thanks
Pete

 

[WILDER]

Turn temp up to 30 add med, put a blanket over it, and if you have no scaless fish add salt.
http/www.aquatics-warehouse.co.uk/acatal...00_WS3__67.html

 

[boxman]

I have 2x Black Ghost Knife fish so I don't think I can add salt.

So do I turn it up to 30oC and cover in blanket - lights off?

 

[WILDER]

Yes it will quicken thing up, good luck.

 

[WILDER]

http/www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/health/ich.shtml

 

[andywg]

Whatever you do don't remove the fish with visible signs of infection and think you have isolated the problem. The chances are that there are a number of parasites at various life stages in teh tank already. Effectively, that tank is now in quarantine.

As I mentioned on your other thread, Skeptical Aquarist (linked above by Wilder) is a fantastic resource (possibly one to add to the FAQ section? )

Salt would appear a no-no with your fish - plecos cannot have salt. Use your Interpet number 6 and buy some more if necessary to ensure that you break the life cycle of the Ich parasite.

HIH

Andy

 

[boxman]

Thanks for that. Last question(s)..... for now.

I've treated the water with 1/2 dose of interpet no.6 and the lights are off, the temperature is at 26oC but the rams are both sat at the bottom of the tank looking a bit 'puffed out'.

I read about 26oC is about the right temp for the treatment to be effective and I don't really want to put it any higher (as per some good advice I've received today).

Also, as I'm on holiday in 2 days, is this treatment to be repeated each week as I can't find much info on the length of treatment time? (When should the temperature be turned down?)

Lastly, as I've taken the carbon out, is it best to put some filter wool or something else in my flval 204 canister filter as it's only running with a bit of filter wool but not much (I don't think my mum is going to know about opening the 204 up!!!).

Sorry for the long thread but treating disease is all new to me (fortunately).

Thanks all!
Pete