First time treating (presumed) Ich. 1x Beta 1x Pleco

Tank
What is the water volume of the tank? 10gal
How long has the tank been running? 8mo~
Does it have a filter? Yes, HOB
Does it have a heater? Yes
What is the water temperature? 75-78F
What is the entire stocking of this tank? 1x Beta (male) 1x Pleco (brown?)

Maintenance
How often do you change the water? 25% changes either 1x a week or as parameters need
How much of the water do you change? 25%
What do you use to treat your water? Stability and Essentials Complete
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water? Vacuum

*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? Yes
What do you use to test the water? API master
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.

*I haven't tested yet today with the Mater, the dip strips showed all params as good, it's not really related to the Ich but I can test if required*

Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH:

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish? 2x a day, small amount, Beta premium pellets (2-3) in the AM, and Bug Bites (2-3 pieces) in the evening. Pleco was working on the brown algae and since he has cleaned the tank up over the last week I bought wafers, only put 1 in so far
How much do you feed your fish? See above
What brand of food do you feed your fish? See above
Do you feed frozen? No
Do you feed freeze-dried foods? Bug bites might be?

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish? Pleco ~week, Beta a few months
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms? Wife noticed white spots on the Beta 2 days ago while I was out of town
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms? Both seem happy and healthy, beta had white spots (I did not witness), as of today Beta had a single tiny white fleck on his tail, pleco looks clear
Have you started any treatment for the illness? Created a 2gal hospital tank, filled half with tank water (to preserve biome), half with treated water, 2cups substrate, silk plant and fake cave, added 1\4tbs of aquarium salt and automatic heater
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase? No
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all? No

Explain your emergency situation in detail.

My wife noticed the possible Ich on the beta 2 days ago as mentioned above. I bought and prepared a hospital tank (see above). I've acclimated it and moved both fish over. In the main tank I've done a half water change and put in a metered heater set to 90deg F so far. I have not medicated the hospital tank just yet as I wanted to make sure I don't do anything wrong. The Pleco was purchased a week ago to help deal with the brown algae. I inspected him closely and saw no spots but the store he was bought from had all pleco in the gross goldfish feeder tank. Yes I know I should have had a whole second tank as a Q tank but I didn't. Lesson learned.

The plan now is to stabilize them in the hospital tank (they seem happy, pleco is in the cave and beta is sitting on the heater near the surface and now and then hides in the silk leaves. The main tank I've begun turning the heat up in. I'll blanket it and get the heater hot enough to kill the ich hopefully. I really don't want to drain, scrub, and completely reset the biome of the main tank. I haven't medicated the hospital just yet because I wanted to check in here. All I could find was Tetra Ich Guard. Both fish seem happy and ok other than 1 remaining tiny white fleck on the betas fin. I'm wondering if the ich dropped off into the tank on a spreading phase and cooking the water will get them. Thoughts?

EDIT: The grey blanket is helping hold heat. It's very winter here.

 

All i can say is if you use the ich guard, follow the directions carefully. It should kill the ich in all stages of its life cycle.

 

Hospital tank worked well. I did 2x treatments over 48hrs. The main tank was run up to and held at 96deg for 48hrs as well. I changed the filter and a partial water change after bringing the tank back down to normal Temps. Both fish are very happy to be back in their main tank and show no signs of stress or ick. I'm monitoring the levels because I'm anticipating the biome took a hit in all this but so far so good.

The only casualty was my glass tube thermometer. Apparently it did not enjoy the hot temp and the glass at the top popped off due to the expansion pressure inside. A pack of digital ones are on order now.

 

Glad they're doing better. Just popping in to say it would be a good idea to figure out which species of pleco you purchased because some can get over a foot long and cannot be kept in a 10 gallon.

 

My two cents :

Ich / Fish with Ich should be treated in the main tank.
Though you almost cooked the main tank, I wouldn't be surprised if Ich is still present (you only kill parasites in their free swimming stadium).
No spots doesn't mean no parasites. So putting them back after two days won't be a guarantee it is gone.
I don't know what pleco you have but 99% aren't suitable for a 10G.

Keep a close eye on your fish and treat in the main tank if it reappeares. Hoping it will not !