Ich

[TRDNiteLife]

<a href="http/www.fishforums.net/content/Common-L...-hugging-Platy/" target="_blank">http/www.fishforums.net/content/Common-L...-hugging-Platy/</a>

Above thread explains situation leading up to ICH discovery.

After reading lots of information I've loosely formulated a plan. Monday (tomorrow) I'm buying a heater, aquarium salt, and QuICK Cure. I don't currently have a heater because my water temps don't drop below 76/77F.

1. I'm doing a large (50%?) water change and thoroughly vacuuming the gravel. Lower water level upon re-fill so filters provide more surface agitation.
2a. Installing a heater and over a period of 24-48 hours raising the temps to the mid 80's F.
2b. I'll also be mixing aquarium salt into tank water, allowing to dissolve and then adding to main tank. I've read several different ratios of salt/gallons and as of right now I'm undecided. I'll probably be adding the salt over the same period as raising water temp.
3. Removing carbon from filter and turning out the tank lights. Also covering up majority of tank sides with newspaper since Malachite Green is light sensitive.
4. Probably will use 1/2 of recommended med dose. Haven't seen all the instructions yet, but will modify if needed.

72G STOCK: 3 Sunburst mickey mouse platys
2 Gold twin bar platys
5 Zebra danios
1 fancy male guppy
2 female guppies

These are my planned initial steps. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[WILDER]

Temp needs to be 30.
Increase aeration with the high temp and med.
If you have scaless fish you can't add much salt.

 

[TRDNiteLife]

Temp needs to be 30.
Increase aeration with the high temp and med.
If you have scaless fish you can't add much salt.

Thanks for the input. Edited post to reflect fish stock. Heater is in and I've started increasing tank temp. On my way to 86F over the next 24-48 hours. Started adding salt - 1 rounded tablespoon per 5 gallons. How should I increase aeration? I lowered water level so HOB filter would increase waterfall-like effect. Also part of the spray bar on canister filter is above water level, having similar effect.

 

[WILDER]

If the water surface is rippling it should be ok.
I use an airpump and airstone for extra aeration in a tank.

 

[andywg]

If you have scaless fish you can't add much salt.

I have stated before wilder that whether a fish has scales or not is irrelevant to its ability to cope with salt in the water. It is entirely down to the fish's osmoregulatory abilities.

 

[WILDER]

Ok calm down we all can't be great science boffs. lol.

 

[andywg]

Ok calm down we all can't be great science boffs. lol.

No. But we can stop giving out incorrect information after we have been told the correct information.

Well, at least some of us can...

 

[WILDER]

I didn't understand you the first time, colin t explained it to me very well, so thanks.