Malinois1

Hello all,


I thought I'd share with you my experiences in battling saltwater ICH in the hopes of sharing ideas, methods and remedies. This journal talks about the mistakes I have made or are making. The treatments I have used and what seems to be working and what didn't. It talks about my success and failures, my plan of action. It is fairly long so I'll post it in weekly increments. I hope this is helpful to novice hobbyist (such as myself) and I hope to solicit advice and comments from the experience hobbyist. In any event thank you for your time and advice on this forum.

Ray


Journal

The discovery
7 April -

In main display tank notice blue tang, Half Black Angel were showing signs of Ich. There were small white spots visible on both fish . The Blue Damsel was also showing signs as he was flashing against gravel bottom but there were not spots visible on him. Ich was probably caused by the introduction of the Blue tang purchased two weeks prior and the lack of patience, control, discipline, and an abundance of stupidity on my part……

Display Tank Stats (at time of ICH problem) :
67 Gallon
30LB live rock
Kotobuki canister filter with Live rock rubble for media
Aqua C Protein skimmer
Two Power Head pumps
Sand Bed (two inches deep)
Water conditions:
salinity – 1.023
ammonia- 0.00
nitrite – 0.00
nitrate - .02
Water temp: 25C
pH- 8.1
Inhabitants:
Fish : Coral Beauty Angel fish
Half Black Angel
Maroon Clown
Ocellaris Clown Fish
Blue Damsel
Blue Tang

Invertebrates: Skunk Shrimp
Peppermint Shrimp
One inch Horse Shoe Crab
Five Turbo snails
Two small Conchs
Cowrie Snail

Malinois1

8 April

After hours and hours of research I decided (though skeptical) to try a “Reef Safe” remedy
I went to local fish store and asked the Sales Clerk ( In Japanese) if they stocked a “Reef Safe” Ich remedy. He handed me a white bottle and said it was safe for inverts). I later had the direction translated (since I can’t read Kanji). In the event the reef safe remedy did not work I also started setting up a QT tank (the smartest thing I did so far – I’m still stupid though). The Reef safe remedy was introduced to the main tank this evening. It was a Blue dye (Malachite green perhaps?) and according to translated instruction treat the tank and after three days if no improvement treat again.

10 April

No improvement…. Lost my prized Skunk shrimp. Live Rock looks dead! Tank is like a ghost town. Critical decision…. 1sec… 2sec… 3sec… 4sec… Decision made! Get the QT prepped!


11 April

QT prep completed and is as follows:
Set up:
32 gallon QT tank filled with water from the main tank.
Equipment used:
Canister filter (no Media) used for water circulation
Two in tank filter and pumps. Floss media
Air stone and air pump
Ceramic heater


Water conditions:
Ammonia – 0.0
Nitrite – 0.0
Nitrate - .1
Lowered Salinity – 1.0020
PH- 8.1


Fish to be treated:
Coral Beauty Angel fish
Half Black Angel
Maroon Clown
Ocellaris Clown Fish
Blue Damsel
Blue Tang

Plan:
Upon transferring fish to QT give each fish a 4min fresh water bath
Treat water with Ich remedy
Lower salinity over 3 day period to 1.009
20% water change every 3-4 days
Treat 4-8wks
(Getting smarter…. Still stupid)

The reason I used water from main tank was two fold….. 1st the water was already cycled and second, I needed to do at least a 50% water change in the main tank since it was a safe to assume that the main tank was contaminated.
Transferring the fish to the QT tank to include the fresh water bath went relatively smooth. Moved snails and shrimp to another tank as well. Can’t find my Horseshoe crab…. He’s… he’s…. dead.
I continued to use the “reef safe” remedy with a little more confidence since I only had fish to worry about.

Malinois1

Week 1
12 April – 18 April

On 15 April (3rd day of QT est.). I reached a salinity of 1.009. Ich is still present and remedy does not seem to be working. In addition Ammonia and Nitrite levels seem to be creeping up. Ammonia 0.1 Nitrite 02. PH maintained at 8.1. Half Black and Coral Beauty angel seem to be lethargic and eyes appear to be clouding over. A 40% water change was conducted. Ich remedy halted. I need to find another solution for Ich. The local fish stores didn’t carry any copper treatment though they did have copper test kits. To ensure I wouldn’t lose them in translation when asking if they had any copper based medication I grabbed a test kit pointed to the English word Copper and the sales clerk at each fish store I visited more than five said they didn’t carry any. Now what?
16 April, I happened to stroll down the pet supply aisle of the Base exchange. Not expecting to find anything useful. They did stock fish supplies and medicines but as expected it was only for fresh water. Out of curiosity I read the back of some of the packets like Super ICK cure, Stop ICK! Etc… all stated Malachite green as its primary ingredient. I put them back. Unimpressed and somewhat demoralized I picked up the the next packet called General cure for Velvet, gill problems etc. Read the back of this packet and its main ingredient was Copper Sulfate. Light Bulb! Decided its worth a try. Introduced to tank according to instruction (one capsule per 10 gallons every other day until symptoms clear, 3 capsules used). Tested for copper levels .15…. my target reading is .25 Added another capsule and that seem to do the trick. Dosage will be 4 capsules.

Malinois1

Week 2
19 April – 25 April 2009

On 19 April there is a marked improvement on Coral Beauty and Half Black angel. Their eyes have cleared and they are eating well. Ich is still present on my Blue tang and Half Black coral. Whats interesting is that ICH is more prevalent in the morning than in the evening. No signs of it on the clowns and the Blue damsel is not flashing. Water quality is becoming a real concern. Ammonia levels: 3. Nitrites .20 PH – 8.2 Copper levels same. 30%Water change conducted. For now on water change will be every day until Ammonia and Nitrite levels are under control.

Its 20 April and Half Black angel is showing no visible signs of Ich. Blue tang still have some remnants. Low Salinity and Copper treatment appear to be working. I decided to use the Blue tang as my measurement as to how effective the ich treatment is working because he seems to be the most sensitive to this parasite which also back other fish hobbyist claims that the tang is an ICH magnet . Water conditions not improving but Ammonia levels stabilized Nitrite different matter. Ammonia: 2. Nitrite .25 PH 8.0 Copper: .25

Morning of 22 April and no sign of ICH on Blue Tang. Nor the other fish. Blue tang is still flashing however. Will continue Copper and Hypo treatment. Water conditions are stabilizing Ammonia levels are down but still present at 1. Nitrites still high .20 Copper levels same. Nitrate creeping up. Tank is still cycling…… I’m still worried. Water change 30%.

Malinois1

Week 3
26 April – 2 May 2009

26 Apr, no sign of Ich. Fish appear to be doing well despite water quality. Ammonia .1 Nitrite .20 Nitrate .2 Ph 8.1 Copper .25; 50% water change today. Changed floss on one pump. Found a great deal on a UV filter. Added a UV filter for extra precaution.

Main Tank has come back to life! Wait….. what that moving in the gravel….? My Horseshoe crab! Its alive! Its alive! Wow! He has gotten bigger! Yes!

Back to the QT…… Its 29 April – no Sign of Ich. All fish are doing well. Water is still a pain in my butt. The good news is that my Ammonia levels have dropped to .0 Nitrite maintaining at 2. No difference in nitrate. Maintaining same copper levels. I thought Ich would be my biggest battle but it seems this may not be the case. Stabilizing the tank has become my biggest battle. 20% water change conducted.

Malinois1

Week 4
3 May – 9 May 2009

Today, 3 May Still no sign of Ich. Water quality is stabilizing: Ammonia 0.0 Nitrite: .1 Nitrate .2 PH 8.1 Copper level .15. Fish seem to be doing fine and I am feeling like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Salinity slightly raised to 1.012. Copper treatment will cease today. Water change every other day now. Today was 20% water change.

Evening 7 May. Notice Half black angel somewhat lethargic… perhaps… Water quality : Ammonia 0.0 Nitrite went up to .2 Nitrate no difference. Copper level 0.0 Ph 8.1. Skipped water change today.

Morning 8th May. Half Black angel is not doing well in fact he is on his side. Other fish appear to be fine except Blue Tang is rubbing again. 50% water change conducted. Afternoon- lost my Half black. This is what happens when you get cocky.  Well no visible signs of Ich on my Blue Tang but just in case re-dosed tank with copper. I can only assume the death of my Half Black angel was probably due to prolonged substandard water quality.

Malinois1

Week 5
10 May – 16 May 2009

10 May remaining 5 fish are doing well. Water quality is Ammonia 0.0 Nitrite .2 Nitrate .3 Copper level .25 PH 8.1. Blue Tang no longer flashing but will treat with Copper treatment for another week. Salinity maintained at 1.012. Been trying to figure out how to get the Nitrite levels down to 0. Water changes don’t seem to help. Conducted 20% water change.

16 May no problems this past week thank goodness. Water quality is virtually the same. I’ll treat with Copper for one more week then we will see what happens. If all goes well maybe I can re-introduce fish back to main tank.

Malinois1

Week 6
17 May – 23 May 2009

21 May water quality is stable but still not ideal. Ammonia – 0.0 Nitrite .1 nitrate .20. PH 8.1 Copper level .15. Fish seem to be doing quite well. Sunday 24 May, I will began the process of duplicating water conditions of the Main tank. This will entail matching the temp, raising the salinity and monitoring the fish very closely.

Lucy

Your threads have been merged.
It'll be best to keep this all in one thread for a few reasons. Members wanting to follow it will not have to search for previous threads or updates. Also by started so many threads, other threads which may need attention may get overlooked.

It's an interesting journal, just best kept in one place.
Good luck with your tank.