problem with persistant white spot

[asoftuk]

Not too sure as to where i should have posted this.

Ok can somebody advise me please on how to cure the problem of re-acurring white spot in my comunity tank, its driving me nuts.

I am new to the tropical aquarium and fish keeping, a bit nosey and always seeking advice from local suppliers. I have followed numerous suggestions but to no success at eradicating the white spot problem yet.

The Symptoms.

The Black Mollies have visible white spots in differing positions throughout their bodies some more than others. Some mollies have a slight clouding to their eyes. various other fish in the tank tend to flick themselves sidewards over the gravel surface randomly.

Tank spec as follows.

36 inches long by 15 inches deep by 20 inces high. Not sure of total Water Volume but think it holds roughly 21 gallons of water please correct me if i am wrong on this.

Various live plants in varying forms (Sagittaria Subulata, Vallisneria Spiralis, Ludwigia Palustris and Repens (Natans), various grasses tightly knitted for spawning of live bearing fish)

Ornamental lava rock and slate slabs for decoration.

2 Fluval Filter pumps (1 Fluval 2 Plus and 1 Fluval 4 Plus)

2 Heater elements

Undergravel filter bed supplied by uplifted oxygen from an Elite 801 air pump.

Tank gravel = small grained bottom layer of 1.5 inches topped with 1 inch coarse grained layer.

Fish stocks.

6 Poecilia sphenops (Black Mollies + 10 new fry in tank)
5 Poecilia reticulata (Guppies + 9 new fry in tank)
2 Gyrinocheilus (sucking loach)
1 Paracheirodon innesi (neon tetra)
1 Ancistus sp (bristlenose catfish)

Water Ph etc.

Ph level of 7.0
NH3 + Nh4 (ammonia) level of 0
NO2 (Nitrite) level of 0.1
NO3 (Nitrate) level of 5

Tank temp kept betweem 24-26 degrees C

Main light source is a 3 foot blue light florescent tube situated 3 inches above water surface.

Tank has been established for 3 months.

White spot treatmen remedies used so far are>

Various treatments from different manufacturers latest treatment is (Interpet Anti White Spot Aquarium Treatment No6)

I have changed 25 to 50% of the water after treatments have been added on the recomended date for the water change after treatment. the treatment appears to work then suddenly all the mollies break out with white spot again. this has been on going for several months now.

Changed water is treated with either (Waltham Aquariam+ water conditioner or Aquariam Pharmaceuticals Aquarium water conditioner+ stress coat)

Any advice on this anoying problem will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks from a frustrated new fish keeper.

 

[Sea_Monster87]

Try quick cure.

 

[Kossy]

Ok it sounds like its infected the entire tank/s so that means you will have to add medication to all tanks infected and still keep adding even after spots disapear

 

[njparton]

I cured persistent white spot with the Intrepet treatment you list, but not the first time.

The key is patience:

i. Remove any activated carbon, zeolite or green-X from your filters/uplifts.

ii. Increase the tank temp to 30C.

iii. ensure the tank is aerated well to balance the increased temp (warmer water = less dissolved oxygen).

iv. Do a large water change (50% as you may need to leave the medication untouched for 2 weeks).

v. add the medication to correct dosage.

vi. 1 week later add another dosage at 50% strength (even though your fish may look better).

That should do the trick. If not, remove infected fish to a separate tank/bucket and keep medicating them until they're safe to return.

The first time I tried I never increased the tank temp. With hindsight this is vital to increase the metabolism of the ich parasite.

 

[paulh]

Hi, i had a bad case of ich with my parrot fish a few weeks ago, it got 3 of them but managed to save the last one, i used the same medication as you, i removed my carbon from my filter and uped the temperature t0 about 80-82c after the first day i did a 25% water change and remedicated and again 4 days later, thankfully now i'm hoping i've got rid of it, my fish is looking a lot better now, i hope this helps

 

[njparton]

I'm not sure doing a water change after medicating is the right way to go - it dilutes the medication which will biodegrade anyway.

I prefer no water changes, an elevated temp and an extra shot of medication after a week or so to make sure the little buggers don't come back.