Premature ich-ulation

[zequel]

Hi all,

This wasn't the first post I was hoping for, but here it comes.

I just setup a new 42g/160L tank with fishless cycling. I populated the tank a couple of days ago (Saturday). I purchased 5 x 2"/5cm clown loaches and 5 x 2"/5cm pearl gouramis and put in the tank. Also I added 2 angelfish, a red tailed black shark, 2 x ancistrus and one old betta. I have plenty of hiding places (hole rocks, mopani root), and a few small plants.

All the inhabitants seem quite happy. However I noticed a couple of white spots on two of the clowns. Already having lost 3 small clowns due to beginner mistakes due to horrible water quality in a ... ehhm .. 8g/30L tank (which was a temp before getting my 42g/160L), my stomach turned

So last night I turned the temperature up from 81F to 84F added 8-9 teaspoons (3oz) of rock salt. Turned on the air pump. Tonight I did a gravel vac (20-25% water change), added 8 teaspoons (3oz) of salt again and turned the heat to 86F. Made sure that the filter output was at the watersurface, making waves.

Note: Last night I weighed the salt (320g/11oz) I'm going to use for the first phase, getting the tank to approx. 2ppm+, and put it in a bowl. So now I have used 6oz and have 5oz left.

I know that many of you don't recommend the salt remedy, however I'm afraid to use meds that might mess with the newly cycled tank.

Are the couple of spots making me act to prematurely? I haven't seen any signs of flashing, and all the inhabitants are eating. The salt should be around 1ppm now. Should I wait with the rest of the salt and see how the loaches progress, or should I add the next 8 teaspoons tomorrow and set the heater to 87-88F?

Panic panic panic

Best regards,
ZeQueL

[Diana]

We have had several of these "is it or isn't it Ich" posts lately. The more sure you are that it is Ich, the more sure you are going to need to treat. As long as you are adding the salt slowly (pouring in the dissolved salt a little at a time all day) then continue adding it.

I am concerned about 5 Pearl Gouramis. They are territorial about the surface, and while most Pearls are pretty mellow for this fish family, 5 is quite a few, and they will clash with the Betta. Watch this combination REALLY carefully. Even having a lot of surface plants, tall driftwood and so on to mark out territories, this is too many of this type of fish.

[zequel]

Thanks for your input Diana

I'll keep a good eye on the behaviour of the pearl gouramis and the betta.

One more question though regarding gravel vac. Should I remove the rocks and the root while vacuming or will it just add to the stress factor?

Best regards,
ZeQueL