Ick and its cures help.

[tomjof]

Okay so my tank I've had Ick in it for awhile. I haven't lost a single fish to Ick but usually at night I see a few specks of it on my clown tang, saw tail tangs, and yellow tang. None on the kole, fairy wrasses, Midas blenny, and foxface. I was wondering, besides taking out all the fish what's the best way to control it in a reef tank. It's a mixed reef so most medications will kill coral

 

[marrone]

Outside of using copper or Hypo there really isn't anything else that is going to work in a reef tank. If you can't treat the best thing to do is put on a UV, increase the flow in the tank, as this will keep the Ich that settles moving and hopefully it will go into the overflow. I would also use a good filter sock, this will help to trap any of the Ich spores that get swept up into the overflow. Finally make sure your fish are eating well, you can try adding Lugosi solution. These things wouldn't get rid of the Ich but they will help and possible reduce it.

 

[tomjof]

Yea the fish are eating really well, I soak all the food in selcon and give them a varied diet. I've had Ick in the tank for many years maybe about four but it's just kinda annoying. I've never lost a fish to Ick. Would putting a uv sterilizer on the tank affect the the reef life at all

 

[lrasser]

The information you were given was well said. Beside hypo and copper all you would be doing is wasting your money. Those are the only true options.

 

[tomjof]

okay, its a 150 gallon system, any suggestions on a uv sterilizer

 

[jackson6745]

Focus on good nutrition, good water quality, and a stable environment. My fish get ick from time to time, but it never lasts, and I never lose fish from it.

 

[tomjof]

okay, so I shouldn't get a uv sterilizer or should I

 

[evoIX_Reefer]

UV sterilzer kills good and bad bacteria. Some people like it as high percentage of UV users note increased water clarity. Otherwise, I don't think it is necessary.

Stablize everything and feed your fish. Don't try too much if they are eating. If you don't stress them out and keep everything in good condition then it will likely pass. Healthy fish will be able to fight it off. I had the issue not too long ago and did just what I stated and after all my fish that were not cover over with it survived with no issues and no returns. I removed the hippo that brought it into my tank and it died while I was trying to give it away. My son, 2 year old, was the main cause of it dying placed things into the bucket before I could give it away to someone who wanted to deal with QT and hypo.

 

[tomjof]

The thing is sometimes theres a lot of a spots but sometimes theres none. It varies day to day.

 

[tomjof]

Its usually worse at night time which i find odd

 

[fredro]

it may just be easier to see at night

 

[tomjof]

nah like i mean later in the day, so the lights are still all on.

 

[MIKE NY]

The only way to eradicate ich in a reef is to remove all the fish and QT them and let the tank run fishless for that time....QT all new fish.... But for us with large tanks that's almost impossible so all those methods do work and help especially proper nutrition.

 

[edd]

it may just be easier to see at night

+1
i used to get ick outbreaks now and then.
i put a 65w uv that i run 2 days a week, and have not had an issue since.
you have to run low flow though the uv to kill parasites. the 65w recommends 300gph.
maybe coinsidence, who knows.

 

[newdmsus]

Please use Herbtana.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=herbtana saltwater
I did this ones long time ago and since that no more ick

 

[tomjof]

Did the herbtana affect corals

 

[marrone]

Please use Herbtana.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=herbtana saltwater
I did this ones long time ago and since that no more ick

Does it kill Ich? The Answer is no. It's just one of many products that builds up a fish immune system. In the end it's just a waste of money.

 

[mandown123]

i like soaking the garlic concentrate into the food.
i always felt garlic was a sweet immune booster.

 

[vio]

The only way to eradicate ich in a reef is to remove all the fish and QT them and let the tank run fishless for that time....QT all new fish.... But for us with large tanks that's almost impossible so all those methods do work and help especially proper nutrition.

+1, i think the Best way, remove all the fish, QT. i find up Cooper works the Best.

 

[Aquageek]

Do u have a huge temp drop at night? That'll effect there resistance. Personally I prefer a uv reef or no reef. The higher wattage the better. Never had a bad experience with a uv