Sudden ich outbreak!

[fishgirl]

So i have recently bought 4 new german blue rams 2 from one store 2 from another. I sucessfully got rid of it a long time ago when i purchased a heater. The heater keeps the tank at about 80 degrees all of the time and it is an automatic. I have a 20 gallon tank. I havent had an issue with the health of my fish ever since i bought the heater about 2-2 1/2 years ago. I cant raise the temp with the heater since it is an automatic so how should i go about getting the temp up to like 86 degrees to get rid of the ich? Tonight i did a like 25% water change and put warmer water in to try and raise the temp and then i added aquarium salt to help it too. Is there a way that i could raise the temp? Any other effective methods to treating the ich?

[Crazygar]

I combated Ich with heat and daily water changes. There are medications but you have to be very careful and they will all prescribe hot water (84F) for that tank to help combat the Ich. Ouch Fishgirl, Ick is a demon, but you can get rid of it. Can you find or borrow a heater that is adjustable for now so you can crank up the temp?

Also, this is why many of us here QT our new arrivals. I'd rather be safe than sorry. I went through a horrific Ich outbreak in 2009 and I ever since then, all new arrivals go into a "Quarantine" tank before being introduced into the main tank.

Gary

[fishgirl]

I dont know of anyone that has an adjustable heater i could borrow. Ill have to ask my brother. Yeah they all act normal but my 2 newest rams are covered and one has only 2 specs, all other fish are doing great but i want to tackle this now. My plan was to raise temp (if i can get my hands on another heater), daily water changes, and adding aquarium salt after each water change. I'm kinda against using meds because I've never had good experiences...does my plan of attack sound effective?

[lou zello]

the best ICK med out there is KORDON ICH ATTACK.it's 100% natural,NO temp.increase,just remove carbon from the filter,no water changes till your done,works like magic!!!!!!! last time i used it i never even took out the carbon,just added as much as the bottle said to and 5 days later no more ich!!!!!!! and none since!!!!!!!!

[Crazygar]

Yes, your big priority is getting the temperature up a bit. Also a list of fish in the tank right now. Some species are more sensitive than others to this treatment and I'd rather 100% confirm the treatment with seeing a list of all fish in the tank. We have already ascertained 4 Rams.

Gary

[fishgirl]

Its a no go with my brother and the heater. He threw his out a long time ago currently i have a bala shark(hopefully rehoming soon), pictus catfish, tiger barb, golden wonder killifish, common pleco. Ill have to think really hard to see if i can find anyone with an adjustable heater because i really dont want to go buy one when I'm trying to redecorate and eventually restock. Maybe ill see if ebay has one for cheap but for now all i can do is water changes and salt treatments and hope for the best.

[Crazygar]

Keep an eye on the Golden Wonder Killie Fish it may be a bit sensitive to the salt treatments. Keep up with the water changes and keep the water as warm as you can.

Gary

[fishgirl]

Just thought of an idea to treat the most affected fish. 2 of my rams are starting to get really affected by this and so tomorrow when i do my water change i will use the siphoned water to fill a small qt and put the fish in it. I used to have green anoles which require heat lamps sooooo....I'm thinking about dangling the heat lamp over the top of the qt to raise temp and provide light. How 'bout it?

[Crazygar]

I hate to say it, but I would consider everything in that tank infected. Starting up another means treating two as opposed to one. Stick with the one tank and work away it. Keep that temp up and those water changes.

Gary

[lou zello]

i'm telling you KORDON ICH ATTACK---no worries about temp,or water changes,just dose as on the bottle and i will bet you that within 5-7 days it will be GONE!!!!!!!!

[Crazygar]

I would continue to keep up with the Ich treatment at least 2 weeks after the last ich spot has fell from the last fish. Ich can live in the gravel and reattach itself to a host so might as well make sure you have killed the stragglers as well.

Gary

[fishgirl]

I understand that the whole tank is considered infected but isnt the tank always considered infected since ich doesnt necessarily go away? Isnt it always present, just waiting for the right moment to strike (in this case stress from the move)? If i keep waiting for the whole tank to be treated my 2 rams are probably not going to make it. My female is staying near the top a lot and gasping. I want to move at least the 2 that are really covered so i can speed up the life cycle of the ich and hopefully cure my 2 rams and move them back to the main tank. I just dont want them to die while i wait for them to get better in the main. None of my other fish are seeming affected as they werent exposed to the stress. If ya know what i mean!?

[Crazygar]

Yes, I do entirely, oxygenate the water more as well, the more heat, the less dissolved oxygen in the water. Remove any charcoal/carbon from the Filter.

Gary

[fishgirl]

Thanks for being here for all of my question needs! I will keep updating on the progress, whether its good or bad. Lets hope for good!

[ScottFish]

Good luck; we've all been there!