Ich in a planted tank

DanMarion

I have no idea how it could have gotten there, but I seem to have ich in my 29G planted tank. Everything goes through a quarantine process before going into that tank, so I'm not sure where it came from. Guess it doesn't matter where it came from so much now that I have it huh? :P

I've been doing some research, and most of the remedies and treatments I have found suggest salt/raised temperature/water changes.

Salt and plants don't mix so well, so is there an alternative treatment for planted tanks? I hate to suggest it, but are there any ich treatment meds that will not affect my plants? Also - - Its has Rummynose Tetras, Bleeding Heart Tetras, Corydoras, a BN Pleco, and a couple Nerite Snails. Hopefully, I can find a remedy that will be appropriate for both plants and fish.

aunt kymmie

My tanks are planted and also contain fish sensitive to salt as yours are. (cories, tetras, and snails will not appreciate salt). Were it me, (and it's not) I'd treat with either Aquarisol or Kordon's Rid Ich+ at half strength. Scaleless fish are sensitive to meds, which is why you only use at half strength. Follow instructions to the letter, treating a full three days AFTER the last visible Ich spot has been seen. Good luck and I'm really sorry you have to deal with this. I'm going through my own tank woes right now, so I can relate.

As for how they got Ich even though you QT, have a read here:
(It is my belief that Ich is ever present in the aquaria)

The Skeptical Aquarist

DanMarion

Ok, I went out and picked up a bottle of Kordon's Rid-Ich Plus. I've removed the Nerite Snails (Since the packaging specifies no inverts) and dosed the tank with half the recommended dosage on the bottle. I'll still be keeping a very close eye on the fish in there. I'm paranoid about putting any kind of chemicals into my tank.

Thanks for the advice Aunt Kymmie, I'll keep this thread updated with progress.

Lupin

Keep the snails in a fishless tank. With no fish around for the ich to attack, they will eventually starve to death. Snails cannot contract ich but their shells could have some cysts clinging on.

Nerites don't take well to any meds at all except salt. They are far too sensitive to chemicals.

DanMarion

Thats about what I had gathered from my research. I moved the Nerites to a small tank of thier own for the duration of the treatment.

aunt kymmie

Yes, keep us updated. I've never had a problem with my fish when treating for Ich with this medication at half strength, so I don't suspect you will either!

Mikaila31

I have to disagree kymmie, ich is not always present. It certainly can be present in some tanks and be seen only at very low levels if the fish are happy and able to resist it. Then all it takes is a bit of stress before there is a outbreak. That is why most recommend continuing treatment for at least a week AFTER ALL visible signs and behavior suggest that it is gone. Failure to do so can result in another outbreak months later. If you deal with ich properly it is a really easy disease to treat and get rid of. Its been well over a year since I have seen ich. I've had a typical number of fish die for various reason, some slowly withered away or were injured. None developed ich even in a weakened/stressed state.

aunt kymmie

All the medication labels say to continue to treat for three days after the last visible sign of Ich has been seen. That's what I have done, and I have treated this particular tank four times in two years. Had I continued the meds for seven days, and not three, I would have cured the tank of Ich once and for all?? Do the medication companies print "3 days", knowing you'll be back for more meds??

Let me retract my statement. Instead of saying "ich is always present in the aquaria", I will say "Ich is always present in my aquaria!", lol.
In the future I will continue meds for a full seven days after the last visible white spot has been seen, and hopefully that will be the end of that.

Lupin

I hadn't managed to read most of the posts but I do agree with you on this one, Mik. Ich being parasitic will not be present in all situations at all unlike bacteria responsible for infections. This is true for all parasites especially stubborn ones such as flukes.

As ich and bacteria particularly columnaris are quite symbiotic, columnaris will certainly strike once the parasites manage to damage the skin coating allowing the bacteria to infiltrate bloodstream and weakening the fish horribly in the process. That's another issue but something to bear in mind. It's why most meds contain antibiotics even unnecessarily to battle the secondary infection that is consequent to parasitic infestations. The additional antibiotics though will prove more damaging to some fish and beneficial bacteria, a very good reason why you should not just dump meds straight away. Ask before you try.

aunt kymmie

Awesome, I learn something new everyday! Thanks Y'all!!