I have a 90gal community tank that has been established for around 4 months now. There are 5 balas, a pleco and a two pairs of clown loaches. Two small ones (around 2") and two that were added a few weeks ago that are around 4". This is how the ich started. I did not quarantine for long enough and soon after introducing them I noticed the odd white spot appearing.
That was around April 30th. I increased the temp slowly from 78F to about 82F and added around a tablespoon of salt for every 20 gal. ( I don't like to use salt in freshwater tanks - the box says a tbl spoon for every 5g so I'm hoping a quater dose will be ok)
On May 2nd I did a 30% water change / gravel vac and picked up some Coppersafe (by mardel) to dose the tank. I also added a little more salt (taking it up to 1 tablespoon per 10gal) as things were clearly getting worse. I dosed a full dose as per the instructions, and if you believe everything it says it will remain in the water for a month and kill the ich in its free floating stage.
On the 5th I increased the temp to 88F. I have read many posts now that suggest you can accelerate the ich's life cycle so it becomes free swimming sooner (and therefore being susceptible to the medication) and because some posts i have read say that ich cannot survive at such temps. Different reports say a different magic number. Its anywhere from 85 to 90 from what I can figure out.
Its now the 7th and my fish are only getting worse. There are many white spots on fins and body of all my fish. One loach looks particularly lethargic. I fear I may lose all my fish which will be very sad as I have had some of them for many years. There is lots of aeration int he tank and lots of hiding places, I'm trying to make life as stress free for them as possible. I have done no water changes since the dose of coppersafe as the way it reads its best to leave the meds in the water and let it work. I'm wondering if I should do a huge water change to remove as much ich as I can and re-treat the new water with copper safe. Or should I try a different med? Or should I just wait it out? Its only been 7 days. Just seems like long time. I would appreciate any advice. I think I may be too late.
Just one other thing, I know there is often confusion between ich or velvet. I have treated as though it is ich. Small grains of salt on fins (mostly) and fish scratching on rocks and other decor. I think velvet would be finer. I might try to post a couple of pics.
Any help appreciated.
Andy.
