Ick

[freestyle]

Hi, iam brand new to this forum

I have 5 Tiger barbs and 3 platys, all the barbs has ick (white spots on all thier fins) the platys seem to look okay, in a 5 gallon tank.

I have read different articals on salt water treatments but iam kind of "stumped", their instuctions aren't very clear. They say to raise temp. to at least 86.5 degrees and add 2 tablespoons of salt per 5 gallons.

The question i have is do i add 2 tablespoons salt every day or just a one time thing to the water? It would seem adding it every day would build up the salinity to high and kill my little friends.

Any advice would help alot, Thanks http/www.fishforums.net/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum freestyle.
There is a link to a very thorough explanation of what ich is and how to treat it in my signature area.

 

[freestyle]

Thank you OldMan47

But the artical still doesn't seem to answer my question as too, should the salt be added every day for the duration of the treatment?

Oh i did forget to say i also used the Malachite green, Ick Away by Wardley before i tried the salt treatment.

I guess i am looking for a simple answer, should the salt be added every day?

 

[Syphoniera]

Hi, freestyle
As OldMan47 hasn't yet returned, I'll butt my non-expert nose in until he, or another expert, does.
It's best to start adding salt mixed into water on a gradual basis, although increasing every few hours up to levels seems to be OK, but once the desired level is achieved, one only adds the approximated amount removed through water changes, as this is the ONLY means of reduction of salt levels.
You are absolutely right that re-adding the recommended amount daily would kill your pets.

Edit: just noticed you have all these fish in a 5 gallon, so I hope this is a temporary Q tank thing, as they cannot be healthy in such cramped conditions.
Even so, their recovery will be hindered by this, even if daily water changes are conducted.
Personally, I'd get them in a bigger tank, ASAP, a 15-20 gal would do, as there are multiple problems created by this, and it's likely the stress has weakened your fish and made them susceptible to disease.

 

[OldMan47]

You are trying to achieve a particular salinity level and then hold that level for the duration of the treatment. Once you have the salt in the tank, there is no need to add more unless you drain water from the tank. If you do a partial water change during the treatment you would add back enough to the new water to match it to your tank water. If you are making up for evaporation, the salt is still in the tank, it doesn't evaporate, so you would add back straight water.