Ich Questions Please Help

[cdub614]

I've been having some problems with my tank for the past week or so and have lost 2 convicts already (I'm pretty sure they didn't have Ich though...) The post concerning them should be at http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...p;#entry2360044


Now I have Ich in my main tank and will begin treating within the hour. However here are my questions, and please accept my apology if these are "dumb" questions....

1. Should I do a 20-50% water change before treatment? Should I do a good gravel clean? I usually do a gravel vacuum every 2 weeks, the last one I did was last Sunday.

2. I've got a good bit of algae growth on the flower pots/filter extremities, etc. Should I do a good tank scrub with the water change before treatment? I know not to wash them out in the sink....

3. Also, I always wash my hands after handling anything in the tank, but do I have to worry about infecting myself with the Ich sick tank? I'm assuming probably not, but....???

Thank you for quick answers, I will be starting the Ich treatment hopefully within the hour.

Inhabitants are: a 6" male jack dempsey, two 3" female convicts and a 1" female convict
55 gallons, water stats are still good: 6.75 ph, 0 amm, 0 nitrite


Poor Flapjack, he's been looking so sad

By charletw

 

[cdub614]

I also forgot to ask, what will the effect of medication in the tank be on my existing filtration system? I took out the carbon pouch, but I still have the foam pieces and biostars. Will the treatment kill my good bacteria? I'm just concerned because I had a pretty tough time getting through the cycle when I originally set up my tank last year.

I have a Rena XP2 canister filter.

 

[mixmaster jay]

hi

Raise water temperature

Medicate for 10-14 days

Reduce medication when treating scaleless fish

Discontinue carbon filtration during treatment

Perform water changes between treatments

The entire cycle takes about two weeks from start to finish. Higher temps will shorten the cycle, while low temps lengthen it. Therefore, raising the water temp shortens the time it takes for the parasite to reach the stage in which it is susceptible to medication.Treatments must be given for a long enough period to assure that all parasites are gone. Watch carefully for other infections, as secondary infections often occur where the skin has been damaged by the parasite.

Although nothing kills the parasite once it has checked into it's fish "hotel", several chemicals kill ich once it has left the fish. Malachite green, methylene blue, quinine hydrochloride, and mepracrine hydrochloride are all effective, and are available under several brand names.

Dose based on the package instructions, however cut dosages in half when treating scaleless catfish and tetras. Regardless of the medication used, treatment should be given continuously for 10-14 days to ensure all parasites are killed. Between treatments a partial water change is recommended. Keep water temperatures higher than usual to speed up the life cycle of the parasite. Discontinue carbon filtration during treatment, as it will remove the chemicals

hope this helps

JAY

 

[cdub614]

Thank you for the quick reply Jay, but I hope you won't mind me noticing the reply being fairly generic? I had done some researching and there's lots of info on this site about treatment, I don't want you to think I didn't spend time looking around to find answers before posting my questions. I raised the temp from 78 to 80 last night and kicked it up to 82 this morning.

I am hoping someone will have some answers to the questions originally posted....?