Cardinal Tetra Ick
- Thread starter Alexp08
- Start date
Yes. Copper-based treatments (many ich medications are copper-based) can set plants back and even kill some (copper is a heavy metal and thus highly toxic in elevated levels, though a nutrient in a very small amount), depending upon the plant species and the product. Salt (another common remedy for ich) can also affect plants, some more than others.
In planted tanks I have used a combination of raising the temperature to 86F and using CopperSafe which for me has been less of a problem (it is not as strong as some products), though some plants were affected. The increase in temp may be a factor too of course.
One option is to put all the fish in a separate quarantine tank and treat them there. With cardinals, higher temps are fine so you could really turn up the heat. This quickens the ich cycle, and some suggest it may kill it if around 90F, so I'll mention that for what it is worth. Leaving the planted tank empty of all fish for 3-4 weeks will kill off any ich in that tank, as it cannot survive without host fish. I don't know what fish or how many you have, so this may be more work. Treating the main tank is possible, but I will let others detail methods other than what I've suggested.
Byron.
In planted tanks I have used a combination of raising the temperature to 86F and using CopperSafe which for me has been less of a problem (it is not as strong as some products), though some plants were affected. The increase in temp may be a factor too of course.
One option is to put all the fish in a separate quarantine tank and treat them there. With cardinals, higher temps are fine so you could really turn up the heat. This quickens the ich cycle, and some suggest it may kill it if around 90F, so I'll mention that for what it is worth. Leaving the planted tank empty of all fish for 3-4 weeks will kill off any ich in that tank, as it cannot survive without host fish. I don't know what fish or how many you have, so this may be more work. Treating the main tank is possible, but I will let others detail methods other than what I've suggested.
Byron.
Depends what treatment you intend to use, but over the years I have used a few different meds and they haven't harmed my plants. They are in the water for a short period of time and water changes are carried out before and after treatment.....
Also depends if you have very fragile plants....
I always try to cure ick without meds with good water quality, heat and substrate cleaning ever day.
Salt can be used depending on stock.
Also depends if you have very fragile plants....
I always try to cure ick without meds with good water quality, heat and substrate cleaning ever day.
Salt can be used depending on stock.
In my opinion.. save your money. None of those ich meds work. 2 months ago I had a terrible case of ick in my 10 gallon holding tank with my pair of GBR. I tried 2 different kinds of ich meds and the only thing I got was a blue tank from the meds. I ended up just raising the temp to 82 and some salt. They eventually recovered and ended up spawning for me a month later. It's easier when you don't have gravel or any plants in the tank.
DoubleDutch
Fish Gatherer
Be sure it is Ich first (there are several disease with white spots as well). If so be aware there seem to be some vey resitant Ich-strains (especially on Cardinals).
Cardinals are real tropical fish and can stand high temps, so I'd go that way.
Only not sure about the combination of salt and cardinals, being soft water fish.
I'd start to raise the temp for two weeks.
Cardinals are real tropical fish and can stand high temps, so I'd go that way.
Only not sure about the combination of salt and cardinals, being soft water fish.
I'd start to raise the temp for two weeks.
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