Ick!

[Squid31]

I just spotted ICk on my fish today, I tested my water and found no ammonia but high nitrites, still have good nitrates. Last night it tested the same thing so I did a big 40% water change, vaccummed and changed the cartridge first time in 8 weeks. Yesterday I didn't think they were sick, saw so weird behavior and tested it got my results and did what I said above My temp went from 77F to 79F after the change could that have done it? I have some decent algae and after the sick is cured and gone I will byuy some cory cats. . Today I spotted white spots! Im now doing another big 50/60% water change, ive bought ACI super ick cure and will add that after change. Is there anything else I should do? Should I add cholorantor with the ick medicine? I am using tap water.

Any advice would help! Thanks for reading and helping me and the fish!

 

[DrRob]

Ok, Ich is an unpleasant illness, particularly attacking fish that are stressed by other things, which your nitrite may well be the culprit for. I'd be interested to know what you got on your results for nitrite.
 
Treating ich is a simple concept but is hard work. It's life cycle is such that you're really trying to kill it in it's free swimming stage, which is what your medication will do (although salt can be as good).
 
To accelerate this process it's generally a good idea to turn the temperature up high (remembering to keep lots and lots of surface agitation as the high temps drop the oxygen levels, and nitrite with low oxygen is a lethal combo (again, salt can help here assuming your fish are tolerant to salt treatments).
 
Do remove any carbon from your filter while you're treating. Frequently removing cartridges from filters is bad for the biological media and they're generally best rinsed in tank water during a water change and put back.
 
Now my other question, what cartridge did you change and why? 

 

[Squid31]

Ok, Ich is an unpleasant illness, particularly attacking fish that are stressed by other things, which your nitrite may well be the culprit for. I'd be interested to know what you got on your results for nitrite.
 
Treating ich is a simple concept but is hard work. It's life cycle is such that you're really trying to kill it in it's free swimming stage, which is what your medication will do (although salt can be as good).
 
To accelerate this process it's generally a good idea to turn the temperature up high (remembering to keep lots and lots of surface agitation as the high temps drop the oxygen levels, and nitrite with low oxygen is a lethal combo (again, salt can help here assuming your fish are tolerant to salt treatments).
 
Do remove any carbon from your filter while you're treating. Frequently removing cartridges from filters is bad for the biological media and they're generally best rinsed in tank water during a water change and put back.
 
Now my other question, what cartridge did you change and why? 

I have API super ick cure , ok I will turn up the temp and oxygen levels.my nitrites are at .50 ppms

 

[Squid31]

I added the medicine, after the 50% water change also added the chlorinator because chlorine in the water wouldn't be any good I feel. I set my temp at 82F and have the bubbler at full oxygen along with the filter running. How often should I add the medicine its API's super ICK cure and I added it around 2 hours ago. Its blue real blue the whole tank still now, so should I add more after the tank clears?

 

[DrRob]

Follow the instructions. Remember that ich has a lifecycle of about 10 days and that the medications will only work in the free swimming stage.
 
I'm still worried about you changing that cartridge.

 

[Squid31]

Follow the instructions. Remember that ich has a lifecycle of about 10 days and that the medications will only work in the free swimming stage.
 
I'm still worried about you changing that cartridge.

Well I raised the temp to 82F the fish seem that they adjusted well it says it will shorten the lifespan of it, the ick is getting better on the fish, falling off, they say to dose every 48 hours so tomorrow will be the 2nd dose after a 25% water change. my dollars are swimming around and eating fine most spots are gone and they had the largest ones, my dempsy has small spots still and is continuing to rub on things, he is eating well and doesn't have any major spots, just small ones, and the ABN pleco seems to maybe have a few but he seems like he's doing okay. So hopefully the medicine will do its job and it wont get worse.
 
When the treatment is over and the ick is definitely gone could I add some aquarium salt to help the fish heal from some fin and scratches, could these fish handle it. I've read the dempsy should but  I don't know about the dollars or the pleco?
 
Thanks a lot!