Ich question

[dangit2001]

So I have a tank that has ich and now I don't have any fish in that tank. Will the ich die on its own since ich needs a host to reproduce. Its been about a month or two since I have any fish in there. I just have some corals and a mantis shrimp.

 

[thanh386]

Ich can survive in the water column I think.

 

[dangit2001]

so what can I do to get rid of it?

 

[thanh386]

UV. But was the ich killing ur fish? I think my tangs get ich from time to time, but it's like a cold to them it seems. Everyone recovers

 

[ralph atl]

ich will evetually die without a host....8-12 weeks and it's gone unless you introduce with new fish that you havn't QT'd...

 

[dangit2001]

Well that answers my question then. Ich killed all my fish. I think I'll just wait another week or so just to be safe. I tried getting rid of the ich with some kick ich but I guess I was to late.

 

[ralph atl]

you basically have 4 choices:

1. treat all fish in QT as if they have it
2. QT
3. Buy from a source that has an awesome QT, i.e., Diver's Den or Sea Atlanta (I'm sure there are others....) and you got a >95% guesstimate on not getting ich
NUMBER 3 I don't get! Why not pay a little more for a fish that you know is healthy as opposed to all the time, money, death, destruction, and stress when one pays 5 bucks less?

4. play slots.....you lose!

 

[dangit2001]

Well since i don't have any fish in my tank any more I guess my next step is to get a QT at Sea. Anyone have any idea what the cost is on a qt setup at Sea?

 

[ralph atl]

pm them

sponsor forum

I'd give you Raj's number, but I put his phone number on some spam site, so I'm sure he's changed it by now.

 

[edulover]

dangit2001;742963 wrote: Well since i don't have any fish in my tank any more I guess my next step is to get a QT at Sea. Anyone have any idea what the cost is on a qt setup at Sea?

I don't think he meant for you to buy you QT setup at SEA. You can get a QT from anywhere. He was recommending to buy fish from a place that quarantines it's fish. (like SEA and others) Now, if you just want to buy a QT setup at SEA then that's your choice. For a QT it doesn't have to be anything elaborate. Just a small tank 10-20 gallons, a hang on the back filter, and a heater.

Eddie

 

[winkkle]

Yea if your fishless now without coral u can drop the salinity way down to 1.008 for awhile and that will for sure get rid of all the ich parasites. If your tank is fallow (fishless) id keep it that way for at least 8-12 weeks like previously stated so the ich will die off without a host.

 

[ralph atl]

Edulover;742975 wrote: I don't think he meant for you to buy you QT setup at SEA. You can get a QT from anywhere. He was recommending to buy fish from a place that quarantines it's fish. (like SEA and others) Now, if you just want to buy a QT setup at SEA then that's your choice. For a QT it doesn't have to be anything elaborate. Just a small tank 10-20 gallons, a hang on the back filter, and a heater.

Eddie

:yay:

 

[dangit2001]

I knew what you ment. Just remember Sea had a post about having a QT kit. And was thinking there kit would be offered at a good price. The if I was to piece it together myself. But thanks everyone for the info.

 

[smoothie]

Contact them. They probably do have a qt kit or can come up with one for your needs/budget. I know they definitely believe in qt.
I would give your tank 2 mo to cycle with no fish. Your corals may love it!

 

[islandreef]

How long has your tank been without fish? Ich will stay dormant for 8-12 weeks until you add something in there it can attach to. I would suggest, although we all hate to see an empty tank that you go for 14-16 weeks to make sure it has died off. THen get yourself a small QT and make sure all new comers go through a Quarantine routine. Remember you are now responsible for the lives of the fish you put in there. If you know its only been 2 weeks then dont put anything else in there until after the DIE off time, or you will see the same result again.

Good Luck.

 

[patrick]

Raise the temp if you haven't already to help speed up the lifecycle. I've had success leaving tanks fallow (fishless) for a month at 80-82F. It can take longer at lower temps.

 

[ralph atl]

Islandreef;743172 wrote: How long has your tank been without fish? Ich will stay dormant for 8-12 weeks until you add something in there it can attach to. I would suggest, although we all hate to see an empty tank that you go for 14-16 weeks to make sure it has died off. THen get yourself a small QT and make sure all new comers go through a Quarantine routine. Remember you are now responsible for the lives of the fish you put in there. If you know its only been 2 weeks then dont put anything else in there until after the DIE off time, or you will see the same result again.

Good Luck.

Not true!

 

[islandreef]

mysterybox;743211 wrote: Not true!

What exactly is not true, didnt you basically say the same thing above, if he puts another host in there the ich will attack that animal also? What isnt true, clear up what I said so I understand where I am wrong.

 

[ralph atl]

Sorry for my poor communication on my reply!
After a certain point (uncertain exactly when), all the ICH will eventually die in a fallow tank!

 

[silver surfer]

Every fish has ich. You can qt all you want but stress is the biggest cause of outbreaks. Just moving the fish from the qt might stress him out enough.

I agree that buying a fish from a good local store is your best bet. But most of them are treating the system with copper. You will have no idea if the have ich until you introduce them to your system.

In order to set up a proper qt system, you must use your system water. So, you can do daily water changes or plumb the qt tank to your system.