[Sir_BlackhOle]

This isnt really a plant topic but I figured somebody might make use of it. I was told I didnt need a heater for my ten gallon at the LFS when I was setting it up. All my fish got ich and I was then told it was because I dont have a heater. Temp fluctuations throughout the day and night is most likely the reason. I ran out and got a heater and some rid-ich but I have already lost 6 of 10 fish. The plants are doing great though. Does anyone know if rid-ich will harm the plants?

 

[Sir_BlackhOle]

Thanks for the info! I lost all my cherry barbs and tiger barbs, but my one red/blue tetra and the pleco are still alive and doing well. After I got a heater and raised the temp and treated with what you mentioned the ich dissapeared in two days. The water got really cloudy but has cleared up this morning. I am fixing to go do another water change. How long should I wait before I add more fish? A week? Two? The two snails that are in my tank (i dont have a clue what they are) are still alive. Thanks again!

 

[Sir_BlackhOle]

Sounds good. The water is finally clear now but I want to make sure its safe before adding any more fish.

Thanks again

 

[Sir_BlackhOle]

If you raise the temp to 86F it will speed up the life cycle of the ick to 3-4 days so they say. I would wait at least a week at that temp, longer for lower temps.

 

[Sir_BlackhOle]

I would post a question in the algae forum to find out what to do about that, and wait at least a week, maybe two before adding your fish back to the tank. Water changes are always a good thing too.

 

[Sir_BlackhOle]

If you can I would remove the pleco and put him in a seperate tank and treat that tank. If not you could raise the temp in your tank to 86 degrees and hope for the best. What size tank is it? Is it heavily planted? Even if the spots go away you still could be in trouble untill the life cycle of the ich is completed. Raising the temp will speed the cycle up though.

 

[Sir_BlackhOle]

The main reason to quarantine a fish is so you can treat it and not have to treat fish that arent sick. In my experience with ich if you add a fish with ick to a healthy tank, they usually dont get it.

 

[Sir_BlackhOle]

Do any of your other fish show signs of infection? How many days has it been since you removed the pleco?