Cherrry123

I think Charlie has ick. There are white spots on him, I think it is from flaring at his reflection all the time lately. I'm just wondering but if there's not, what type of medican should I buy, and should I treat all the fish in the tank? Or Q-Tank him? Thank You!

Dino

Slowly increase the temperature to 82F.
The free swimming stage of the ich organism cannot tolerate that heat.
Keep it there for about 14 days should rid the tank of the infection.

COBettaCouple

Dino's gave you the ich treatment.

Really, there's no need to add meds or anything, just let the warm water do the work. Do 25% water changes every other day and try to have the new water close to the tank temp. Clean out the gravel after a week to pick up any ich cysts lying in there. Treat the whole tank since they'll all likely have it by the time you see spots on a fish.

If you want to add something, Ich-Attack is ok - it's herbal and organic and not harsh on the fish. I think it helps them feel better, but it's optional and even using it, you still need to maintain the heat treatment for 2 weeks.

Cherrry123

Ok, over the weekened I turned the heater up to 82 degrees and it's gone! Thank you!

Dino

Don't forget to keep it there for at least 2 weeks.

Cherrry123

Ok I will.

Cherrry123

Ick, it's back. Only this time worse. I don't think it was ever gone, I may have turned the heater back down when I thought it was gone, and now it's back, only worse. All my fish in the tank have it. Even the babies, on thier tails. I cranked the heater up to 82 degrees and this time keep it there for the two whole weeks.

finmama

I have the same problem, and my babies have it too
Good luck!

Cherrry123

I know, and I really want them to survive, I can't move them to the 14 gallon because my spotted puffer will eat them.

ER9

as dino mentioned you have to get the temperature to 82degrees...slowly and then keep it there for 14 days. that part is critical and cannot be skipped. i had the same problem last month and followed dino's recomendation....not only did it cure it...it hasn't returned. i also did daily 50% water changes during this time to help get rid off any ich spores(think thats the right word) still floating around in the water.

it sounds like you got rid of the ich on the fish....but it still remained in the tank water and you didn't follow through for the full period so you didn't really accomplish anything. the 14 day heating kills whatever remains in the water and prevents it from re-infesting your fish.

Cherrry123

I know, that's what I'm doing now, only the heater is really confusing to get to a certain temperature.

ER9

haha yeah tell me about it...i had to go buy a new heater lol........prolly cost me 4 times as much as medication but i will be able to use it in another tank eventually.

Cherrry123

I know! I keep slowly turning it up, but an hour later it's still the same temperature! Day later, still the same!

COBettaCouple

What heater do you have?

Cherrry123

It's a really old Aqua Culture Aquarium Heater..

COBettaCouple

Oh. That explains it. I doubt you'll be able to get that heater to work as desired, especially if it's an older one. If it's possible to replace it, I would.

Cherrry123

Yeah, it's a really old tank. We've had it since I was like 5. They even stoped making the filter that it has!

COBettaCouple

Wow.. yea, the heating element has probably given out or at the least is in bad shape.