Quarantine Tank Setup

[PerryClem0842]

2 of my Pearl Gouramis have just got white spot, I have already asked about using Cupramine and have had no replies.
I would like to set up a quarantine tank for them both so I can treat them safely without harming barbs.
I would really appreciate it if somebody could give me some tips on how to set it up, what to do and what not to do.
At the moment I have a spare 20L tank would this be OK?

 

[fluttermoth]

With ich/whitespot, you need to treat the whole tank. The ich parasite passes through a few stages in it's lifecycle, only one of which is on the fish; the others are free swimming or in the substrate.

Your green barbs will tolerate the meds, they're not a delicate fish

I can't comment on Cupramine, as I've never used it!

 

[Fishy friend2]

honestly, you are better off just treating the whole tank as if one of them had a low enough immune system that was most likely cuased by the stress of poor water conditions, or stocking. then most likely more of the fish will soon get it
My recommendation for treatment is too add aquarium salt, and heat up the tank, but if you have fish that are intolerant of salt than heating the tank, and proper medications should be okay, instead if salt and heat
good luck mate! i hope that it clears up!!

 

[fluttermoth]

As there's a loach in the tank, I'd recommend a half dosage of a proper ich med, rather than salt. Cupramine should be fine, but it's always best to start with a lower dosage if there are scaleless fish present.

 

[PerryClem0842]

honestly, you are better off just treating the whole tank as if one of them had a low enough immune system that was most likely cuased by the stress of poor water conditions, or stocking. then most likely more of the fish will soon get it
My recommendation for treatment is too add aquarium salt, and heat up the tank, but if you have fish that are intolerant of salt than heating the tank, and proper medications should be okay, instead if salt and heat
good luck mate! i hope that it clears up!!

The good thing is that it is definitely not stocking because I only have 10 fish in there, the temperature is 26.4, water conditions tested every 3 days and they're all fine!
Good idea to treat the whole tank though thanks, saves too much work.

Cupramine should be fine, but it's always best to start with a lower dosage if there are scaleless fish present.

I have used half as it recommended on the bottle and have now raised the temperature to 28.2... OK?

As there's a loach in the tank, I'd recommend a half dosage of a proper ich med, rather than salt.

I haven't added salt yet but thanks anyway for the heads-up
I really do hope it clears up soon

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes, should be fine.

Ich isn't hard to treat; the only real problems arise if the particular strain of ich your fish have happens to be resistant to the particular med you're using.

 

[PerryClem0842]

Yes, should be fine.

Ich isn't hard to treat; the only real problems arise if the particular strain of ich your fish have happens to be resistant to the particular med you're using.

how can you tell the difference between different strains ?

 

[fluttermoth]

Oh, you can't, I'm afraid.

If the Cuprazin hasn't cleared it up by the end of the course, you'd need to try something else, rather than plod on and on with the same med or complain that 'it's rubbish', as I've seen some people do!

 

[PerryClem0842]

I see what you mean..... Ive heard that king british is good! any thoughts?

 

[fluttermoth]

I've only had to deal with ich once, and I used esha exit that time. I'd recommend that, if the Cupramine doesn't do the job for you, but I'm sure the King British has it's fans too!

 

[PerryClem0842]

I've only had to deal with ich once, and I used esha exit that time. I'd recommend that, if the Cupramine doesn't do the job for you, but I'm sure the King British has it's fans too!

OK thanks that seems good, if this doesnt work then ill get my LFS to order some in for me. thanks again

 

[PerryClem0842]

how will i know if my Aquael Fan Filter Plus Fan-2 has carbon in the sponge?

 

[fluttermoth]

There'll be either carbon pellets in there, or it might be a black sponge (but not all black sponges are carbon ones ).

Most manufacturers now have a website with details of their filter's set up on it.

Having had a quick Google, I don't think the sponge in those filters is a carbon one.

 

[PerryClem0842]

Thanks for the help i have contacted them and have found that it doesnt contained carbon. the ich has nearly cleared up now... looking good and just put in the second dose

 

[fluttermoth]

Ah, that's good

Don't forget you have to follow the whole course (even if the spots have completely disappeared) so you get all the parasites as they hatch out