Ich

[allstarme]

The other day I noticed that my shark and my pleco have been infected with Ich. Now I raised the temp. to 85 degrees and started the daily treatment. I also took out the carbon since most medications recommend you do so. I will be doing 25% water changes every day until it is cured. My questions are can I feed them while I treat the tank (no filter). Is there anything else I can do to speed up the healing process. None of my other fish show signs yet. Thanks.

 

[wetwetwet]

Hi allstarme,

I've got a couple of concerns from your post.....

What size tank is this and why 'no filter'?

What are tank parameters? ammo, nitrite etc.

Yes remove carbon (is this not in the filter? )

85F will speed up the life cycle and should make the med more effective....

Also be aware that 25% daily WCs will be diluteing your meds and lessen their effectiveness .....

 

[allstarme]

It is a 20 gallon tank. By removing the carbon I had to remove the whole filter cartridge. It is a Penquin BioWheel 175. I did not test the ammonia, nitrates, etc. before I started the medication. When do you advise that I make water changes.

 

[wetwetwet]

Am still concerned that there is no filter media

This doesn't seem like a very good idea that it isn't possable for just the carbon to be removed

Though the post makes more sense to me now

Feeding - they should be fine for a few days but if they're fighting parasites then they need their strength - but with no filter then pollution then stress could be a real problem

I'd keep close check on water parameters and change when ammonia/nitrite become a problem - you could also add back med with the new water to keep the dosage right (ish)

I'm not familiar with these filters - we don't get them over here - but they seem less than ideal if they cann't be used when treating with meds

Maybe someone who uses them has got some better suggestions

 

[CFC]

If you change the water every day then there is no point in adding medication,can you pack the area where the cartridge goes with some foam media as a temporary option until the course of treatment is finished?

 

[allstarme]

Im going to see if I could put something in there until the treatment is done. Thanks for everyones help. If anyone has my type of filter, what do they do in these situations?

 

[val]

I have a Penguin Bio-wheel 175 and considering how the cartridge is made, I can see how getting the carbon out and leaving the filter in would be troublesome. I would take cfc's advice and try to fit some foam in as a temp. I agree with the water changes, also. Daily water changes could also stress the fish, I would think.

Good luck,
Valerie

 

[SneakBetta]

When my bettas got ich, I fed them, but we went out and bought ich medication. It cured in about 24 hours.