Plant-Safe Ich Meds?

[SlyPolak]

OK...... so I have an earlier post expressing my new Ram problems in one of my tank... Thankfully the Rams that are left are still alive and kicking.. I NEED HELP


2 days ago I saw two salt sized spots on one of my kissing gouramis tail, I was hoping it was nothing... WRONG I was!!! Today the 2 spots turned into 8 or more and now one of my new Rams has a few on him---- so far its on only the 2 but I know how fast this bug works. I am fairly sure its the annoying ICH!!!


Does anyone recommend any Plant SAFE meds for this type of bug?

This is my current stock list--- 2 opaline gouramis, 2 kissing gouramis, 4 jouvenile angels that will be moving to my 180 as soon as they get a little bigger, 2 baby "dinosaur eels" (bichirs) that will also be moving to the 180 real soon so they dont have my rams for a snack, 1 raphael cat, 1 synandontis, 2 butterfly fish, 4 german blue rams, a betta and a farlowella......I also have about 2 - 3 dozen ghost shrimp for my "dinosaur eels" and cats as a nice snack ( wouldnt really mind losing the shrimp as long as my fishies and plants survive )


I was REALLY hoping I can find a safe med for the sake of my many plants and few cats, I also heard that the "dinosaur eels" (bichirs) may be sensitive as well...


What do all of you wonderful people recommend




EDIT::: What do you guys think of Rid-Ich+ ? I have also read about salt and high heat but I am afraid that I will lose all my plants

 

[robryb]

That's a tough one, no matter what you use, it's going to be tough on plants. I recently had a bout of Ich, and I treated with King British WS3 formula, which contains malachite green. It says for sensitive fish like loaches or light scaled fish you should half the dose. If you do that, it might take longer to cure, but it should be easier on your sensitive fish and plants.

My green leaf plants were fine, but my sensitive red-leaf plants lost all their leaves, and the grass took a hammering. The leaves are growing back now, but I lost 2 plants.

You should raise the temperature, it will help speed up the Ichs life cycle to the vulnerable free-swimming stage. I don't think the plants will mind the temp. You could try salt, but I'm not sure how effective it is against malachite green

 

[SlyPolak]

I understand that raisisng temp. will speed up the life cycle but I am not willing to do it with no meds yet... Ofcourse I will once I choose a form of tratment

 

[SlyPolak]

Ok, so after several hours of searching/ reading/ and chatting with some very experienced fishkeepers (Tolak/ Nosoup) I have come up with an attack plan!!!!!

I will also be crancking the temp. up to a good 86 degrees by 1 degree every few hours

Day 1- 50% water change + full dose of Maracide
Day 3- 50% water change + full dose of Maracide
Day 5- 50% water change + full dose of Maracide
Day 7- 50% water change + full dose of Maracide
Day 9- 50% water change + full dose of Maracide
Day 11- 50% water change + full dose of Maracide
Day 13- 75% water change NO more Maracide and carbon added to filter


Packaging says only treat for day 1/ 3/ and 5 but someone suggested to treat for twice as long and I have done exactly that with another Mardel product in the past and it worked wonders.
Then someone else suggested to do water changes due to certain fish I own are a bit sensitive and the half-life of Malachite Green even though packaging says no water changes needed. I will also be crancking the temp. up to speed up the life cycle of this flea even though directions say you do not need to.



So I will ost back with results, positive OR negative... HOPEFULLY POSITIVE

 

[SlyPolak]

I have actually made up my mind to try the HEAT ONLY method for about a week or so because of my sensitive fish, plants and I ABSOLUTELY HATE adding chemicals to my aquariums... I will post back with results and if unluckily this doesnt work I will go with my original plan with Maracide!!!