Aquarium Ich; Freshwater & Saltwater

[Carl]

We have updated the "Aquarium Ich" article with a change of the layout, as well as updated to information and resources

www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Ich.html

Carl

[Carl]

We have once more updated the "Aquarium Ich" article with new information and updated resources

Here is a quote from the article:
"Although there are methods of Ich treatment that do not require traditional medications (such as heat, salt, even pepper), I recommend a quality Aquarium Ich medication if the infestation is moderate to severe (especially severe), if you are too busy to check your tank a few times per day (as the other methods such as heat takes better monitoring), and/or if your tank has a high bio load and low dissolved oxygen.
As noted in the previous sections of this article, low DOC (dissolved organic compounds), good circulation/bio filtration, proper mineralization (such as Calcium), make a big difference in effectiveness of ANY treatment.

For freshwater, a Malachite Green/ Formalin combination has generally been the most effective for moderate to severe infestations.
“Quick Cure” is a good product with this combination of medications (Malachite Green/ Formalin), and from my test is probably the strongest with a wider range of parasites treated as well.
However in most instances, a newer product: “Sea Chem ParaGuard” is safer and more tests are showing this product to be almost as effective a treatment for moderate to severe Ich infestations as Quick Cure, with little side effects when used properly (it can be combined with a Medicated Wonder Shell at ¼ to ½ dose as well, but caution should be used when such a combination is performed).
As a side note, the manufacturer of Quick Cure was purchased by Sergeant Pet Products, who promptly discontinued Quick Cure, Clout and other product made/sold by the original manufacturer."

Reference:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Ich.html

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

Nice update Carl. Interesting that you updated this article. I actually noticed some white spots on my new platy I brought home from the fish store last week. I knew what it was right away. I then look at all the fish I bought from that fish store and all of them have a few little white spots in the tail.

First thing I did was load up the Ich article...Treatment section. SeaChem ParaGuard. I already had a bottle cause of that Angel (see I can spell it ) being sick. I've been dosing the whole tank now for a couple days now. I just wanted to take care of it before it got worse. Now I also know to look for it right when I buy them and maybe would want to do a quarantine tank if I can.

Anyways, thanks for the great article. It got me pointed in the right direction for treating my tank.

[devonjohnsgard]

Im going to put this update on PNWMAS

[Carl]

Jun 5, 2014 8:42:18 GMT -5 devonjohnsgard said:

First thing I did was load up the Ich article...Treatment section. SeaChem ParaGuard. I already had a bottle cause of that Angel (see I can spell it ) being sick. I've been dosing the whole tank now for a couple days now. I just wanted to take care of it before it got worse. Now I also know to look for it right when I buy them and maybe would want to do a quarantine tank if I can.

If quarantine is not possible, a 30 minute bath with Methylene Blue and Paraguard can be helpful

Also, I am happy to read you can now spell ANGEL!

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

Ok, good to know. I've been using ParaGuard right into the tank for 4 treatments. I'll keep that in mind if it doesn't help.

Thanks

[Carl]

I added more to the "Aquarium Ich" article

Here is a quote:
"A preventative fish bath (or quarantine if possible) is generally a good idea for new fish arrivals, even if the fish are from a known good source.
With this bath for freshwater fish, I generally recommend salt (sodium chloride) at one teaspoon per gallon, Methylene Blue at or double the recommended in tank dose recommended by the manufacturer, and with ParaGuard by AAP or Metronidazole for. This bath should be for 30 minutes using the water the new fish arrived in along with a slow introduction of new tank water.

Use of a Medicated Wonder Shell is also advised when new fish are added for 10-14 days. If shrimp or other invertebrates are present, the Marine Medicated Wonder Shells which do not have copper can be used (however these are not as effective too)."

Reference:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Ich.html#prevention

Carl

[Carl]

I have once more updated the Aquarium Ich article

Here is a snip from the treatment section:
"However in most instances, a newer product: “Sea Chem ParaGuard” is safer and more tests are showing this product to be almost as effective a treatment for moderate to severe Ich infestations as Quick Cure, with little side effects when used properly. ParaGuard can be combined with a Medicated Wonder Shell at ¼ to ½ dose as well, but caution should be used when such a combination is performed and this combination is generally not called for. What is more important is the use of the AAP Regular Wonder Shell with ANY freshwater Ich treatment since this product adds essential mineral Cations and buffers most chemical treatments making these not only safer, but more effective!!!"

Reference:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Ich.html

Carl

[Carl]

I have updated the "Aquarium Ich" article

Here is an excerpt:
"Does Ich lay Dormant, or is Ich always Present?
Ich is NOT always present in an aquarium, despite many claims to the contrary which is sometimes used to cover up for poor quality stock.
I have conducted tests (and read others) where I killed off any Ich (if there was any depending on the control group) and then subjected the fish to many stressors that commonly bring on Ich such as sudden temperature drops with NO resulting Ich outbreaks.
It is important to note that the Ich protozoan cannot live outside water and if dried, its cell wall would collapse permanently destroying this single cell parasite so this point also makes migration of Ich from anything other than transport via infected fish or similar water transfer impossible. This also goes for marine Ich (Cryptocaryon) which I almost never had problems with in tanks where all fish were carefully added and there were no previous outbreaks.

Another key point is a common way to treat Ich, in particular Marine Ich (Cryptocaryon) is to leave an aquarium without fish for 6-8 weeks since it will eventually die out and is ONLY introduced to aquariums. SeaChem Tech support also points this out:
"Generally ich can lay dormant for as long as 3 weeks but there have been many cases where it was dormant for as long as 6 weeks. Some of this depends on the temperature, keeping it high will help quicken the life cycle"
Reference: SeaChem Support; Paragard, ick, water change"



Carl

[Carl]

I have updated the "Aquarium Ich" article once more

Here is an excerpt:
"Although there are methods of Ich treatment that do not require traditional medications (such as heat, salt, even pepper), I recommend a quality Aquarium Ich medication if the infestation is moderate to severe (especially severe), if you are too busy to check your tank a few times per day (as the other methods such as heat takes better monitoring), and/or if your tank has a high bio load and low dissolved oxygen.
As noted in the previous sections of this article, low DOC (dissolved organic compounds), good circulation/bio filtration, proper mineralization (such as Calcium), make a big difference in effectiveness of ANY treatment.

Malachite Green, Super Ich Plus from AAPFor freshwater, a Malachite Green/Formalin or Malachite Green/Quinine Hydrochloride combination are generally the most effective for moderate to severe infestations.
“Quick Cure” is a good product with the first combination of medications (Malachite Green/ Formalin), and from my test is one of the strongest with a wider range of parasites treated as well. Unfortunately, this product has been discontinued.

However, Super Ich Plus has been brought back by AAP and now is the strongest available combination (using the Malachite Green/Quinine Hydrochloride combination).
Super Ich Plus can be used at 1/4 dose with Medicated Wonder Shells with sensitive fish or as a follow up."



Carl