Ich in a community tank...

[Suzie Q (Lori)]

Normally this would have been put into "Sick fish"...

This is not my tank...it is a Betta Sorority/Community tank with Plecostomus and 2 hill stream loaches...and Betta females...and live plants (talk of acriflavine and/or copper salt)...". . .The most effective readily available Aquarium remedy is Aquarium Products" "Life-Bearer" . .. This should clear up the immediate problem, but you will have to take care not to reinfect, as these creatures are amazingly hardy." is also suggested by Linda Olsen...

The loaches started showing tale tale Ich and now the Bettas are.

It is being suggested to basically tear down the tank and treat the fish individually...not sure how they are suggesting to treat the plants...anyway..my thought is to remove the carbon and treat the entire tank right?!!! or the tank will recycle and she may loose the loaches.

What are your thoughts?

[bikeguy33]

my suggestion would be to treat the tank for twice as long at half dose. why recycle a cycled tank for an easy to fix condition...

[Suzie Q (Lori)]

bike...that is what I was thinking...why recycle the tank. Adding salt with every water change will also prevent any future outbreaks...I have not had ich in like 5 yrs...I don't know...I guess most people are not big on prevention...lol

[murdock6701]

raising the tank temp a few degrees will help also

[Carl]

I posted yesterday, but my post got lost and I did not follow up, sorry!

Anyway, I agree that half dose, for twice as long with a follow up of a Medicated Wonder Shell.

I will also note that Lifebearer is not a good choice for Ich as this is meant for flukes and similar parasites (the ingredients are not that effective for Ich).
I would strongly recommend SeaChem ParaGuard as well as Medicated Fish Baths with Methylene Blue twice per day as this will also help with the lack of oxygen Ich causes in fish, especially Clown Loaches

See: Aquarium Ich; Freshwater, saltwater

Carl