Hello,
I am treating a newly cycled 20g tank that currently only has 3 black skirt tetras in it. About a week after adding the fish, I noticed one of them had a couple of white specks. I went to the internet and couldn't decide if it was ich. Then a few days later another one had a speck and the first had a few more. After looking at internet photos, I think it's definitely ich. So then I researched ich treatment.
I am going to attempt using heat and salt and doing daily 50% water changes. Does that sound right? But my heater is cranked as far as it will go and I am only able to raise the water temp to 82 (that's with a digital thermometer). I heard I should aim for 86. Is 82 degrees enough heat to have an effect on the ich? I am also adding 2 tsp. of aquarium salt with each 50% water change (i.e. since I'm adding about 10 g. of fresh water each time, I'm going with 1 tsp. per 5 g.). Does that seem right?
I'd rather not try one of the medicines available since I've heard they're not always effective and because it sounds like they will kill the good bacteria I've only recently established.
From what I understand I should continue the treatment described above for a week after I stop seeing ich on the fish. Is that correct?
I appreciate any advice offered!
Thanks,
Steph
I am treating a newly cycled 20g tank that currently only has 3 black skirt tetras in it. About a week after adding the fish, I noticed one of them had a couple of white specks. I went to the internet and couldn't decide if it was ich. Then a few days later another one had a speck and the first had a few more. After looking at internet photos, I think it's definitely ich. So then I researched ich treatment.
I am going to attempt using heat and salt and doing daily 50% water changes. Does that sound right? But my heater is cranked as far as it will go and I am only able to raise the water temp to 82 (that's with a digital thermometer). I heard I should aim for 86. Is 82 degrees enough heat to have an effect on the ich? I am also adding 2 tsp. of aquarium salt with each 50% water change (i.e. since I'm adding about 10 g. of fresh water each time, I'm going with 1 tsp. per 5 g.). Does that seem right?
I'd rather not try one of the medicines available since I've heard they're not always effective and because it sounds like they will kill the good bacteria I've only recently established.
From what I understand I should continue the treatment described above for a week after I stop seeing ich on the fish. Is that correct?
I appreciate any advice offered!
Thanks,
Steph