White spot

[sqt1388]

So I just had my first out break of white spot and I'm super bummed because I've had these fish for years (5-6) in an okay maintained nano tank without a single problem and now that they're in a bigger tank that I'm constantly cleaning and checking on they get sick but what ever it happens.

I'm trying to decided what my next move is so I'd like some input since this is my first time dealing with sick fish.

My current stock is pretty minimal thankfully
1 cleaner shrimp about 9 or 10 tiny hermit crabs 3 snails and 5 small fish.

My first plan was to remove all my inverts (shrimp, hermits, and snails) into my old nano tank (It's still set up since I was going to use it as a QT) and treat the big tank with coper. Thought process being that it's way easier to pluck out all my hermit crabs, snails and shrimp at feeding time then chasing down my fish.

My worry with this is that I've read that the coper treatment will basically kill my live rock and sand (Not a huge deal because I didn't buy it live but a pain since I waited months for it to even get to this point) and I'm also worried about the after effects the coper will have on the tank. Of course I'll be testing for coper and dont plan on moving the inverts back for months/when the coper test say it's all out but I'm just paranoid residue will be left that isn't getting picked up and harm them.

Option two is moving my fish out and splitting them into my original tank and my nieces fish only tank. I would treat them all in the small tanks and let the bigger tank sit for a few months till the white spot dies out.

My issue with this is that one of the other tanks I would be using has two healthy fish in it so although I would be moving two fish that aren't showing signs of white spot and treating them. They would be at a different house and it's just a pain to go everyday/every other day to check up and treat them.

What are you'r thoughts on this. I'm fine with doing either because I'm seriously attached to my little guys and just want to do whats best for them.

[ericarenee]

If you are sure its ich I would NEVER Treat in the Display tank..

Remove the fish and QT Them and treat there. Depending on the fish to what method . I like hypo salinity with raised temp only for most fish .I dislike TTM Method as to me its just to much of a chance of the parasite slipping thru. If they fish are close to death it might be there best hope.

But to Treat the tank with copper you will kill off all life before i used copper i would use bleach . then tear it down and let everything go dry for a week then start over...
OF Course my opinion..

if it were a small tank of 75 gal or less and no corals prob quickest safest way.. It will be back up and cycled by time your fish are safe to put back and you know its 100% parasite free...

My Reef tank if the Parasite got thru my QT I Would spend the two days removing live rock catching fish and putting live rock back and keep the tank fish less for 80 days.
Its a very tough decision time consuming and potentially costly either way..

GOOD LUCK