Ick (or Ich)

[Wonder Snail]

Ok, like I said in the newbee forum introducing myself, I'm like this> < when it comes to knowledge of all things aquarium. We have a quartet of Tiger Barbs. . . . .

I got a couple of questions if ya don't mind........

Why does carbon affect Ick treatment? I hear it is to be removed during the treatment cycle.

Now, question #2: Our tank filter is an Aqua-Tech 5-15 self powered filter. Its filter media is a cartridge. Meaning the filter pad and carbon are contained in one quick-change unit. Should we remove the cartridge as a whole, and let the filter unit run without it, or should we try to get the carbon out of the cartridge and just run the filter pad?

Any help specifically regarding Ick treatment, (not what Ick itself is), would be OUTSTANDING and greatly appriciated!!!

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Is the tank cycled?

I would say you should remove the carbon alone, if possible.

My suggestion: try using filter floss, it is cheaper and provides biological and mechanical filtration.

The carbon is chemical filtration, it removes chemicals, good or bad, from the water, and over time it leeches into the water. I would suggest using the carbon to remove medicines after you are done treating.

I take it you have read the pinned article on treating diseases... It's in the tropical emergencies section.

If you have a major problem, post in the emergencies section, otherwise, general questions should be posted in the beginners section. These forums are for certain species of fish, and the ich question addresses all species.

 

[lizard]

Why does carbon affect Ick treatment? I hear it is to be removed during the treatment cycle.

The carbon pulls "stuff" out of the water. It will "grab" the ich treatment and hold on to it (not good chemistry terms, I know, but easier to understand), which will render the treatment ineffective, as it can't get to the ich and fish and wherever else it needs to go. Clear as mud?

Now, question #2: Our tank filter is an Aqua-Tech 5-15 self powered filter. Its filter media is a cartridge. Meaning the filter pad and carbon are contained in one quick-change unit. Should we remove the cartridge as a whole, and let the filter unit run without it, or should we try to get the carbon out of the cartridge and just run the filter pad?

How long has the cartridge been in the tank? If it's been in there more than four days or a week (or some period of time like that), the carbon will have little to no effect on the ich treatment and you can leave it in there. I don't use carbon in my tank - haven't for quite awhile, except to get meds out of the water after using 'em. If your filter cartridges are the ones I'm thinking of, the carbon is "sealed" in the cartridge. Is that right? When I had a filter with cartridges like that, I cut the filter material and took the carbon out. I replaced it with filter floss.

Any help specifically regarding Ick treatment, (not what Ick itself is), would be OUTSTANDING and greatly appriciated!!!

Depending on your tank residents, turn up your tank temperature to 86* or so (don't do it suddenly, though!) and keep it that way for a couple of weeks. Most ich (there are some heat-resistant strains) can't survive in temps over 85* (or some similar temperature) once it's in its 'off the fish' stage of life. Do more frequent water changes during the high-temperature time, too, to help remove the free-floating ichs. Continue treating for a week or so after you don't notice any ich on the fish, then slowly let the tank temperature return to whatever you usually keep it at. I've been battling ich in my tank since October and after a second or third round of high temps, I think it's finally gone <knock on wood> What a pain!

Good luck!

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[Wonder Snail]

Thanks folks. Sorry I hadn't been back to update, been a very busy first of the year.

Well, Our Tiger Barbs show a little Ick, but it doesn't seem to be getting any worse, nor better either. Haven't treated them in over a week now. Our African Frogs, and wonder snail ( not me though) seem healthy as anything.

I started using a different kind of treatment today. Instead of Malachite green, it is a solution called Ick Guard II, recomended by our LFS. It is for scaleless fish, a must says our local expert because of the snail and frogs. Our tank temp is quite warm. It's 80 deg. F .

Anyways, sorry if this is in the wrong forum, I thought- Tiger Barbs in the Barbs forum.

See. I got a lot to learn