Ich in a reef.

marcingo · #1 10-21-2006, 05:41 AM

Hey. I bought two clowns today and when I got home tonight I noticed one has ich. Its pretty mild right now but its still there. What can I do for getting rid of this. I realize there are Ich meds but I know that these can kill corals. My tank currently has zoos mushrooms afeather duster and gsp. How can I get rid of the ich without hurting anything else. Putting the clowns in a quarantine tank isnt really an option since I dont have an extra tank setup with live rock in it. I heard soaking food in garlic oil might help is this true? Let me know what I can do. Thanks

howdy20012002 · #2 10-21-2006, 06:18 AM

soaking the food in garlic only encourages them to eat the food
Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about it myself.
Clowns are very tough and ich is more of a nuisance than a killer
the only time it becomes an issue is when it affects their breathing..ie gills
I personally doubt the ability of a cleaner shrimp to get rid of it.
even treating them in a QT is too late now as your tank now has ich, not just your fish...
To get rid of it out a tank, it has to be without fish for about a month.
If your fish are eating and healthy and your tank is in good shape the ich will be dealt with on its own
this, of course, is just my opinion and I am sure others won't and don't agree.
good luck in whatever way u decide
Neal

marcingo · #3 10-21-2006, 06:46 AM

thanks for the suggestion. So if I leave it how it is and the ich doesnt get in their gills It will eventually die off?

Psyire · #4 10-21-2006, 06:53 AM

You could try this...

http://www.polyplab.com/medic.html

I haven't tried it, but perhaps others have??

Flusher · #5 10-21-2006, 07:31 AM

I know someone who tried this:

http://www.ichbegone.com/

She said it worked extremely well. There were no casualties in her tank at all.
________
FERRARI GG50 SPECIFICATIONS

mark · #6 10-21-2006, 02:39 PM

Think about the future, maybe more fish, transferring what you have to a bigger tank, should really try to get ich out of the tank.

A QT tank doesn't need LR (actually better if none) just some PVC fittings and the tank could even be a bucket. Even if you don't plan a full quarantine having a small tank around is also handy just to place new stock to have a really good look before placing in display.

And for next time, consider where you get your stock. Been to a couple of LFS in town where you can see infected fish another one that has a separate QT section for new stock. Also remember fellow reefers tanks aren't necessarily pest free either.

Though I preach QT I don't always practice and have been burned.