Just set up a QT tank because of Ich.

kingtoad · 02/27/2006, 01:00 AM

Well, my fish has Ich, and at the time I did not have a QT tank, and while in the process of researching this disease and the best options for treatment, it spread to three of my other fishes. Just to be on the safe side, I QT'd all of them and began treatment as of yesterday.

I've been monitoring my fish very closely, and I'm afraid. They appear to be doing fine, with the exception of horribly visible Ich infestation on my tang, a dark spot on my clown, and mild infestation on my black cap basslet, as well as my bicolor dwarf. It's very difficult to see if my chromis have them but just to be on the safe side I QT'd them as well. I've decided I'm going to apply Hyposalanity treatement on my QT tank and going to wait 6 weeks to put them back in my main tank, this is because Ich dies within 4- 6 weeks if it does not have a host. I'm pretty confident that the treatment will work since several RC'rs have recommended this treatement, however, I'm afraid of the little room in my QT tank.

My tang needs lots of space to swim, my bicolor angel is pretty decent size (2" - 3"), and I have small chromis and a black cap basslet that's roughly 2.5" long as well--he is a relatively small fish though, I put a rock in the QT for him to hide in. Now, other than the obvious infestation of Ich on my tang, bicolor, clown, and basslet, my fish appear to be doing fine. They're breathing normal, swimming around doing their own thing, and not fighting.

After a little background information, I'll now ask my questions.
My QT is a 20 gallon tank, I'm afraid that this is not enough room for my fish and they'll die due to the small space in the QT. Will they die?

Would they be able to live in this QT tank for the next 6 weeks?

Do I need a powerful filtration system because there are many fish in my small 20g QT?

Should I soak my frozen brine shrimp in garlic? If so, how would I do that?

One of my last concerns is my basslet... he's the only fish who is not eating. How can I get him to eat? He just sits under the rock all day and all night. Although he appeared like this in my main tank, at least he went out fishing for food every once and a while. He does not do that anymore.

Thanks in advance.

Blown 346 · 02/27/2006, 01:52 AM

They should be fine for 6 weeks, I wouldnt worry about that.

I would feed something difernt than brine shrimp, it isnt very nutritional since it is made up of nearly 90% water.
I would get mysis shrimp and possibly Marine Cuisine, it is much healthier of a diet.

He should start to eat after you start the hypo treatment, it isnt un common for fish to not eat when they are infested with ick.
Soaking the food in garlic like you stated will get the fish to eat.
I have the poder stuff and just put the food into a cup and dump some of the garlic powder on the food and let it soak.

mikenpam · 02/27/2006, 02:11 AM

I use two drops of garlic extreem in a small container along with the food (frozen or flake) and a small amount of water from the tank. Brine shrimp may entice your fish to eat but I agree with Blown that it doesn't provide enough nutrition. I mix mysis and brine shrimp along with marine cuisine. In toltal only about 1/2 of a cube worth of mix for each feeding.

I had 4 fish in one 20 and 2 in another when I QT'd for Ich. Just remember to watch your water parameters closely. I did many 2-3 gallon water changes during the six weeks. It also took three weeks for no more sign of Ich to occur. My foxface was clear for one week and then had several spots on and off for a week and then was totally clear for about 4 weeks before he went back into the main tank. All has been well for the last month since my fish have returned to my main tank. I will never add another fish without at least a 4 week QT period.

kingtoad · 02/27/2006, 10:28 AM

Are there any medications available to speed up the healing process?

After looking at my tang today, I honestly feel he will not make it. He is in pretty bad shape, and now my chromis are picking on him. I wonder if there is anything I can do for him.

reverendmaynard · 02/27/2006, 11:21 AM

A FW dip may provide some immediate relief. Use ro/di with enough buffer to raise the PH to tank levels. Match the temp as well. Dip for 5-10 mins at a time, you should be able to see the cysts fall off.

Unfortunately, once they start looking really sick, it's usually too late. The stresses of treatment can push them over the edge. It's probably worth a try though.

02/27/2006, 01:00 AM	#1
kingtoad Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 399	Just set up a QT tank because of Ich. Well, my fish has Ich, and at the time I did not have a QT tank, and while in the process of researching this disease and the best options for treatment, it spread to three of my other fishes. Just to be on the safe side, I QT'd all of them and began treatment as of yesterday. I've been monitoring my fish very closely, and I'm afraid. They appear to be doing fine, with the exception of horribly visible Ich infestation on my tang, a dark spot on my clown, and mild infestation on my black cap basslet, as well as my bicolor dwarf. It's very difficult to see if my chromis have them but just to be on the safe side I QT'd them as well. I've decided I'm going to apply Hyposalanity treatement on my QT tank and going to wait 6 weeks to put them back in my main tank, this is because Ich dies within 4- 6 weeks if it does not have a host. I'm pretty confident that the treatment will work since several RC'rs have recommended this treatement, however, I'm afraid of the little room in my QT tank. My tang needs lots of space to swim, my bicolor angel is pretty decent size (2" - 3"), and I have small chromis and a black cap basslet that's roughly 2.5" long as well--he is a relatively small fish though, I put a rock in the QT for him to hide in. Now, other than the obvious infestation of Ich on my tang, bicolor, clown, and basslet, my fish appear to be doing fine. They're breathing normal, swimming around doing their own thing, and not fighting. After a little background information, I'll now ask my questions. My QT is a 20 gallon tank, I'm afraid that this is not enough room for my fish and they'll die due to the small space in the QT. Will they die? Would they be able to live in this QT tank for the next 6 weeks? Do I need a powerful filtration system because there are many fish in my small 20g QT? Should I soak my frozen brine shrimp in garlic? If so, how would I do that? One of my last concerns is my basslet... he's the only fish who is not eating. How can I get him to eat? He just sits under the rock all day and all night. Although he appeared like this in my main tank, at least he went out fishing for food every once and a while. He does not do that anymore. Thanks in advance.

02/27/2006, 11:21 AM	#5
reverendmaynard Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: RI Posts: 1,490	A FW dip may provide some immediate relief. Use ro/di with enough buffer to raise the PH to tank levels. Match the temp as well. Dip for 5-10 mins at a time, you should be able to see the cysts fall off. Unfortunately, once they start looking really sick, it's usually too late. The stresses of treatment can push them over the edge. It's probably worth a try though. __________________ Think for yourself. Question authority. Current Tank Info: 125 gal AGA, setup on 1/1/06; 29 gal seahorse tank, setup 10/21/06

02/27/2006, 01:52 AM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	They should be fine for 6 weeks, I wouldnt worry about that. I would feed something difernt than brine shrimp, it isnt very nutritional since it is made up of nearly 90% water. I would get mysis shrimp and possibly Marine Cuisine, it is much healthier of a diet. He should start to eat after you start the hypo treatment, it isnt un common for fish to not eat when they are infested with ick. Soaking the food in garlic like you stated will get the fish to eat. I have the poder stuff and just put the food into a cup and dump some of the garlic powder on the food and let it soak.

02/27/2006, 02:11 AM	#3
mikenpam Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 326	I use two drops of garlic extreem in a small container along with the food (frozen or flake) and a small amount of water from the tank. Brine shrimp may entice your fish to eat but I agree with Blown that it doesn't provide enough nutrition. I mix mysis and brine shrimp along with marine cuisine. In toltal only about 1/2 of a cube worth of mix for each feeding. I had 4 fish in one 20 and 2 in another when I QT'd for Ich. Just remember to watch your water parameters closely. I did many 2-3 gallon water changes during the six weeks. It also took three weeks for no more sign of Ich to occur. My foxface was clear for one week and then had several spots on and off for a week and then was totally clear for about 4 weeks before he went back into the main tank. All has been well for the last month since my fish have returned to my main tank. I will never add another fish without at least a 4 week QT period.

02/27/2006, 10:28 AM	#4
kingtoad Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 399	Are there any medications available to speed up the healing process? After looking at my tang today, I honestly feel he will not make it. He is in pretty bad shape, and now my chromis are picking on him. I wonder if there is anything I can do for him.