uprightandlocked

Thanks, FL. I added an air-line in there. It doesn't have a stone on the end, its just blowing bubbles, but I hope it helps out. Tomorrow I'll buy a stone if you all still think that is necessary (is it?). Also, I just thought of something. The community tank was previously treated with Aquarium Salt (the prescribed amount for 10 gallons). So 75% of the water in her tank has come with some amount of salt in it. Now, should I add more salt to her tank for the new water? I have read that it helps recovering Molly's. Or is that not necessary because there is already a little salt in it? Thank you!

COBettaCouple

It would be hard to measure the salinity and be sure of an exact amount so it would be your call on that. If you do add some, perhaps 25% of the recommended amount for the quantity of water that she's in would be the best dosage.

susitna-flower

uprightandlocked

Okay, day 2 of Molly in the sick tank. She seems to still not be herself, I'm not sure if its because its a less-stimulating environment, or not. I gave her her second dose of Melafix and Pimafix today. I also gave her a little bit of food. She maybe ate two or three flakes and that was it. This is very unlike her! I hope she is okay. I am almost certain, also, that she did in fact have her babies the other day (none of which survived, I am assuming). Today, in looking at her, I noticed a faint black spot on the bottom/back of her abdomen so I guess she is ready to spawn again! The white spots on her tail are still there and her fin is still a little tattered, so I will keep up with the treatments for the full seven days. Hopefully she is okay in this hospital tank. The medicine says not to change her water for seven days ... should I test for ammonia today and change it if its high? Will that interrupt her treatment?

Luniyn

Check your levels. Since it's only one fish in the tank and she's not eating much, she isn't producing as much ammonia. So you might be ok, but keep a close watch. Unfortunately because it's an uncycled tank, it's more important to keep the ammonia levels down then not change the water due to the meds. Also from what I've read about the meds, they lose their effectiveness after 24 hours anyway. So you could do a water change right before you add the next dosage for the day. That would keep the water the healthiest for the poor sick fishy. Some of the others that have had to treat their fish though would be able to tell you better as I'm just going by what I've read of others experiences. Good Luck!

COBettaCouple

You might also want to consider using NovAqua+ or Prime to keep the ammonia locked up while treating your molly. I don't think they'd interfere with the melafix or pimafix.

uprightandlocked

Okay, this morning I retested the levels in both tanks - community and hospital. Funny enough, my little sister is in town and she is a microbiology major. I asked her to help me with the testing (figured this would be right up her alley!) and she apparently knew EVERYTHING about the Nitrogen Cycle (of which I was blissfully unaware until the past couple of days!).

In my community tank the ammonia is still a problem - consistently at 4.0. I performed another 50% water change (which brought it down to 2.0 two days ago). I tested ammonia in my hospital tank, it was at 0.25. MUCH better than the community tank she came out of! My molly in the hospital tank continues her recovery. Her fins are no longer tattered, they look healthy in that respect. However, she continues to have white spots on her tail - I am assuming this is ich. Also, she doesn't seem to be eating - at all. I haven't seen her eat one flake of food since I placed her in there - this is VERY unlike her. This morning I dropped a shrimp pellet in there to see if maybe she just doesn't like going to the surface in this tank (its the only sinking food I have right now!)

Also, in my community tank, the male red swordtail has an outbreak of white spots on his tail, too. This is also why I think my other molly is suffering from ich. Unfortunately, I cannot afford to set up a second hospital tank, and I don't think it would be wise to put him in the 2.5g hospital tank with the fish already in there. Any suggestions on what I can do? Will it clear up on its own? Or will he at least be okay for four more days until my other molly finishes her treatment? Any help would be appreciated. If only I had found this site sooner!

COBettaCouple

For ich, you can bring the temp up to 82 for a couple weeks (which also will help the cycle process) and treat the tank with vita-chem and Ich-Attack (which won't affect the cycle process but has a smell that is as wonderful as Amquel+) If ich has shown itself, treating the fish in the tank is the best course i believe.

The ammonia might be controlled for now with Novaqua+ or Prime. Yes, the ideal thing is to cycle but the sick fish will have trouble getting healthy with toxic ammonia.

uprightandlocked

Hi all - thanks for the continued advice. Let me pose this question here - I also posted it in the Betta forum under the "Pimafix" topic. Should I discontinue the treatment of Melafix/Pimafix in the Hospital tank (since the tattered fin problem is solved) and move my Molly back to the community tank and treat the entire tank for Ich? I believe the Melafix/Pimafix with the clove oil is actually harming my sick Molly. All she does is lie around, not eating, and moping all day. If I move her back and begin treatment for only Ich with this Ich Attack you mention with the VitaChem and NovAqua, would this be acceptable? I am beginning to think I am risking her health by treating her with estimated amounts of Pimafix/Melafix (see the other topic for more specific information if you'd like ... but this is the jist!)

Thank you!

COBettaCouple

The clove oil is an anesthetic so i'd think the melafix/pimafix is just making her drowsy probably. If you discontinue it and do partial water changes, she should perk up as she feels less drowsy.

I'd try 'waking' her up and if she returns to a more active state, then you could add her back to the tank to treat for ich, if desired. Or if you feel she's had enough meds, then you could keep her in the hospital tank with clean water and just use vitachem and novaqua on it and watch her for a couple weeks for ich symptoms while the main tank goes thru treatment.

uprightandlocked

Okay. I am going to do a 50% water change and hope that wakes her up and then relocate her to the main tank. The reason I am going to relocate her is because I will be gone for the next four days and have a fish-sitter coming over to monitor the tank's progress, and it would be much easier for her to have to dispense one set of medication then two. Of course, if my Molly doesn't seem to wake up enough to be able to move to the main tank, I will continue her treatment seperately. I am off to the store to buy VitaChem, NovAqua and Ich Attack. I'll continue to update everyone on the tank's progress!

COBettaCouple

sounds good. best of luck with her and the others. hold your nose when you use the ich-attack.

uprightandlocked

Okay ... after searching my local fish stores (yes, plural) Ich Attack was nowhere to be found. I bought something called "Super Ick Cure" by API. The directions read "For best results, remove carbon filter..." Does this mean I *have* to? I really don't want to interrupt the cycle of this tank unless it is absolutely necessary. What do you guys think? I am still planning on reintroducing my female molly back into the main tank and discontinuing using Melafix and Pimafix.

COBettaCouple

the carbon will absorb the meds so it has to come out for most meds. You can put the filter cartridge back, just without the carbon. The carbon coming out won't hurt the cycle, but many meds break the cycle anyways. It will usually say something in the instructions/information if it does NOT affect the cycle.

uprightandlocked

It doesn't say it doesn't break the cycle ... does anyone have any experience with this specific medication? I am hesitant to use it if it will start me over at square 1 ... although if it must be done, it must be done! Where do you find Ich Attack? Is it available online? The earliest I could order it would be Tuesday so it probably wouldn't be delivered until Friday/Saturday ... will these fish last that long?

COBettaCouple

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113016 - $6.99 at the DFS site. i've seen it at our petco just recently for $13.99 i think.

They should be ok if the ich isn't super bad.. just bump it up to as close to 85 in their tank as you can and still have them content with the temp. the higher temp alone can clear ich - it needs cooler temps.

uprightandlocked

Hi There,

Thanks for suggesting Petco! I avoid Petco because their aquarium section is about the size of my car (an Escort, no less!) and I assumed they would never have Ich Attack. Well, I just called and guess what? They just started carrying it and they had ONE bottle in stock! So I had them hold it for me and I Picked it up. I want to make sure this is the right stuff. It is Ich Attack by Kordon / AquaHerbal. Does that sound right? It doesn't mention not interrupting the cycle on the bottle. I thought you said that it should if it truly doesn't interrupt the cycle? Thanks for the help!

-Tony

COBettaCouple

Hmm.. i thought it was on the bottle. I stand corrected. It's in the information on the product at the manufacturers website.
http://www.novalek.com/kordon/ich_attack/index.htm - you've got the right product.