Angel Lady said:
Now why are you saying that for I have used this method with very good luck to I might add... I dont like using medicines at all I think the good old fashon way of treating for ich is the best. It takes a week this way with daily water changes of 25 percent and adding a little salt.. The parasite cannot survive this high temp..
I have had the temperature in my tank up at 86* or so for just over two weeks. The temperature has been up as high as 88* at times. In the last couple days it has dropped below 86* some, but I have it back up at 86* now. It was at or over 86* for at least a week. I've also been doing water changes every few days.
I originally tried using CopperSafe for a month - that didn't work. Now I'm trying the high temperature and that's not working either. The only fish in the tank that have the ich are the Neons (also have loaches, Corys, a Guppy, and an Oto in there).
That being said, I would definately suggest trying to treat using the salt and the high temperature method. I hope you get better results than I did!
I would prefer to stop the medication. I think it's killing off some of my good bacteria. Is this possible? I think I will raise the temp and continue using salt. Is it possible that some fish can't be cured, or doe's it take a little longer for some to be cured? Will too many water changes cause more stress?
Yes, the ich medicine can affect your biological filter. I think doing more frequent than usual water changes than usual would be a good idea, especially if you think your biological filter is being affected. If you are upping your temperature, remember that the warmer water is, the less oxygen it can hold. Make sure you have some surface agitation to help get/keep enough oxygen in the water. I put an airstone in my tank when I upped the tank.
Good luck!
Pamela
aka Married Lizard