[Byron]

Agree, given the detrimental effects of salt especially on soft water fish like cardinals and corys, never use salt with such fish. The cardinals will be fine with 86F for a week or two. The corys won't like it, but mine have managed just for a week.

Medications of any sort add stress to soft water fish, and some species will be worse off than others, and the effect can be long-term (showing up later). Best avoided unless absolutely essential.

Byron.

 

[Byron]

so i have turned the temp up, and the ich is "getting worse" (like it does before it gets better) But i now see signs of fin rot on one or two of my black phantoms...what should i do?!?! it is only on the tail fin.

Disintegrating fins is common with ich. This is not true fin rot, though visually it looks like it might be with white edges and disintegrating fin.

The ich cycle lasts up to a week, the increased heat speeds it up but also kills it. Keep the temp at 86F or above for a full week.

Byron.

 

[Byron]

I talked to the guys at the LFS and they said it could also be the other fish nipping at him. Its the one with the most noticeable ich which could also be the "most stressed" i.e. weak link. according to them, what do you think of that?

A photo (if it is clear) might give us a hint. But fin damage can be due to several things.