Shawnie

im sure you are so frustrated that planted tank looks amazing and then to have this happen..maybe its not ICH and its just some ramdom spots ...you will know either way in a couple days as if its ich, it usually gets worse before it starts to look better....

jprime84

It is Ich 100%. Confirmed by store employees, plus more fish have the spots now. My poor clown pleco (one of my favorites) has them bad.

updated original post with todays actions, pics to come.

Shawnie

good luck..hope things work out for you...but I think the salt is going to stress them more

jprime84

Here is the guy where I first noticed the breakout. Quarantine your fish!

The salt makes the water harsh to the parasite, and helps the fish maintain their slime coat and electorlytes while the parasite feeds from them. It may irritate them some, but probably not as much as having parasites drain you of your bodily fluid.

At any rate, from my research and advice that seemed like the best route to take.

Attached Images

IMG_4130.jpg (466.1 KB, 45 views)

Shawnie

are with you and your babies!

Riz

Great tank, I would up the temperatre to 82 deg f, use 1ml of ws3 for 1 week then do a 20% water change. Monitor your fish and if it appears ich is still present, then repeat for another week and then bring the temperture gradually down to 79 - 80 deg. Alternatively you can use methylene blue, but.. it stains the plants, seals and decor... although I found it does wear off the plants after a week..

As shawnie says, adding an air stone is required if you increase the temperature, warmer water is less oxyginated.

Might be a good idea to get your self a small 25 - 50 litre tank to use as a quarantine tank then you can place fish into this before introducing to your main tank.

also, always acclimatise first, i.e. leave in bag for 25 mins or so until its same temperature, fish can show a similar looking effect from putting the fish into much colder water than they were living in which is why acclimatisation is a must!. And never just pour the fish straight in, the shops water may be infected! which I have seen in the past.

Anyway, good luck.. I am sure you'll sort it out we've all been there..

jprime84

updated main post with progress

Nate McFin

Nice way to keep a log...those using the search in the future will appreciate that!
I am glad to hear the fish are still eating. Thats a good sign.

jprime84

updated, all fish still doing well

Melissawater

That's great, congrats!

jprime84

ok, all of the fish are clean now for sure. How long should I keep the temps raised before bringing it back down?

Nate McFin

I would go 2 weeks to be safe. Also when they arent on the fish is the best time to do your gravel vac. (as best as you can) So far so good but you will know within the next few days for sure. That is how long it will take them to go through the various stages and become reattached.
How are the plants doing?

jprime84

Some plants are definately showing some melt, but mostly on the older leaves. Some other plants also have leaves that are getting curled edges. Most of the dwarf baby tears I planted have come loose but I cant tell if its the heat, or the fish pulling them up, or both.

Most of it looks like it will need some pruning afterwards but the plant is not a total loss.

jprime84

Well, I made it through and only lost one plant.

Temps are back around 78-79 now. All fish are accounted for. No sign of the disease for 5 days now. Plants have resumed their growth after I tuned the CO2 back on. Looks like high heat for a good 14 days will do it!

Nate McFin

Congrats!
Glad to hear things are back to normal. The strain I had was nasty...it survived high temps for a month. I sure learned my lesson though.