fishingman001

A couple of my fish have ICH. I have separated them from the rest of the other fish. In the past I have used ICH drops but that killed some of my other fish. What are some other ways to get rid of Ich?? Thanks.

btate617

My opinion is the ich drops didn't kill the other fish.
Separating them was a good idea but if it is ich you need to also treat the tank they came from.
Raising the tank temp for a few weeks will usually do the trick along with water changes.

Brian

eiginh

If the ich isn't too bad, you can raise the tank to 80-84 for two weeks and do thorough water changes making sure to vacuum the gravel/substrate for spores. Good luck with your treatment!

Shawnie

I agree with the other posters..if you see the ich, the entire tank the fish were in, is infected ...so treat both tanks with temps of at least 83-84F(most fish live in 80-81 F everyday and 80-82 doesnt seem to do much ) for 2 weeks ...raise it slowly over a day ....make sure even if they look better, you keep it up for 2 weeks...adding extra air stones would be great also as warmer water has less oxygen...

fishingman001

thanks for the advice...i'll go buy a heater tomorrow. what is a good heater for a 33 long? also i don't want to spend that much $$$. The tank is usually at 77-78. I don't think I will need any air stones because I have a bubble wall at teh bottom of my tank that puts out a lot of bubbles. I will also do water changes. How frequent should they be? i usually take 5 gallons out every 2-3 weeks.

Shawnie

I would do 20-30% a week but you need to do 2 gravel vacs each week ...that can also be your water changes combined....as far as a heater, 3-5 watts per gallon is what I think they recommend...you can do a search on fishlore for better info if someone doesnt come along

Tony G.

I have heard that whenever buying heaters/filters its best to go as best as possible. So you are looking at $25-$?? i guess...

fishingman001

so would a 150 watt be good for my tank?

also (probably a stupid question), is there any creature that eats ICH?

aquarist48

Hello fishingman. Sorry to hear your fish are having ICH issues. Good information above. As mentioned above anytime 1 fish has ICH they all will have it so treat the entire tank. Raise the temp to 84 for 2 weeks, do 2 gravel vacs each week. ICH cannot survive in temperatures over 82 degrees. there is nothing that I know of that will eat ICH. Avoid chemical treatments for ICH unless you have a "severe" outbreak.
Ich: An Old Cure for an Old Disease
Best wishes for a full recovery!
Ken

fishingman001

thanks for the advice aquarist. i will give an update when the 2 weeks are done.

steve_58

A 150 watt heater should be fine for your tank.

fishingman001

i bought a 200 watt but the heater is too long and is about 1/2 inch away from the glass on the bottom.

aquarist48

Hello Fishingman. Remember that heat rises. You'll get a more even temperature if you'll place your heater horizontally close to the bottom of the tank compared to having it vertically.
Ken

eiginh

If it's a submersible heater you can lay it to the side and that way it's not popping out of your tank. Make sure you do w/c's every week and vacuum very well. I'm not sure if you have a thermometer but you can probably find a cheap one at the same store you bought the heater from.

aquarist48

Good point eiginh about it being a "submersible" and not a hang on back heater! Thank you.
Ken

eiginh

groovy!

fishingman001

yeah i have a thermometer. it is on the opposite side of the tank from the heater. the heater is a marineland visi-therm submersible 200 watt. i already have it vertical...do i have to turn it off and wait a while before turning it horizontal or can i go in a move it?