How I eliminated Ich in my reef tank

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for How I eliminated Ich in my reef tank

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Aussie Dan - 7 years ago

Did the ich come back?

MileHighReefers - 7 years ago

It snuck back in years latter but its under control now.

Revulsion OK - 7 years ago

I am in the fallow tank stage at the moment, still have a month to go. ripped all of my rocks out to catch my livestock.. they're in my quarantine tank now.. know how you feel.. was a pain to catch those fishes, just hoping after another month and I put my fish back, everything will be ok.. and parasites would be dead..

MileHighReefers - 7 years ago

Your doing the right thing. This is the only way to truly eliminate ich.

Franklin Michael - 8 years ago

Can't you just take out the tang with whitespot and keep it in afish only tank and dose copper until it's healthy? instead of moving all the fish?

shechshire - 8 years ago

+Franklin Michael Using water from a water change? Not a good idea. You're doing a water change to improve water quality. Moving that bad water into a tank with sick fish isn't going to help them. I see what you're saying. You plan on keeping that water with a skimmer so it doesn't get even worse. Skimmers can't remove ammonia. Sick fish + old water = less than good results. Besides that, yeah you have it all down. Although, if it turns out that you have a fish sick in that FOWLR.. That tank will then become infested. I think it better to just have ONE tank that you use for any of these purposes quarantine/medication/observation. Moving it into another tank unless it's their final one just seems a little redundant. I'de rather just buy the biggest quarantine tank you'll need and then when you're done with any of all this, just move it to the display. Really, adding another tank is just adding more work for yourself for no reason.

Franklin Michael - 8 years ago

+shechshire What do you mean? I was planning on setting up a tank with a heater, a hang on the back filter and some pvc tubes for the fish to hide in, i would use tank water from water changes to fill it up and a small 30Gallon skimmer that I have laying around to keep the levels of ammonia down longer before water changes. I might sett up a small quarantine tank for treating with medication and then a FOWLR tank to put the fish in after the medication for a month or two to watch their behaviour and make sure they aren't sick or have parasites.

shechshire - 8 years ago

+Franklin Michael No problemo. You know what you need for the quarantine tank right?

Franklin Michael - 8 years ago

+shechshire cool thanks

shechshire - 8 years ago

+Franklin Michael Eggs attach themselves to surfaces so the only way to get rid of them is by also scrubbing the tank with dish soup and then rinsing it thoroughly with water. But then you're also destroying your biological filtration. Not every week. Once the medication has been dosed for five days, their won't be anymore parasites on the fish so their will be no more egg laying and their for no more egg hatching so washing once after medication is fine. That one time, I waited for like two months and nothing seemed wrong. I kinda just re-medicated just to be 100% sure. I think it's much better and less trouble to just re-medicate though then to wash out the tank after medication. If you still want to do that (both methods work :/) though, you should definitely have Bio-Spira or Dr. Tim's All In One to quickly re-establish the biological filtration. I like to wait at least two days to add it that way the bacteria will immediately have ammonia to feed on right out of the bottle. Cleaner wrasses only take care of non microscopic parasitic invertebrates. Usually the kind that like feeding on coral and lodging them selves into big fishes' mouths. Also, you would have to move it out of the tank every time you do medication since it's not a good idea to medicate it over and over and over again.

Franklin Michael - 8 years ago

+shechshire So 100% water changes would be a good idea every week or so? To get rid of eggs? And would having a cleaner wrasse permanently living in the quarantine tank be a good idea?

shechshire - 8 years ago

+Franklin Michael Once, yeah but besides that one time I don't wait anymore but that's still a great idea and a good thing to do though. The thing is that I've used it so many times and never had a problem so that's why I really have no fear of transferring anything into my tank. BTW, waiting too much though can also have it's effects since parasitic eggs can hatch since most medications don't claim to destroy eggs. That one time that I waited, I re-medicated just to make sure eggs didn't hatch while I waited for my main tank to be set up.

Franklin Michael - 8 years ago

+shechshire How long do you quarentine? just the 5 days that you medicate or do you wait longer to see if it worked?

shechshire - 8 years ago

Ich is a microscopic parasite, you can't see it. Yes, that would be helpful. I medicate and quarantine every single fish I get. Quarantining alone is useless because it can still be infected with something and infect your tank when you move it. Medication guarantees the fish's survival. Also, I just use instant ocean life guard which only takes five days to work and will cure everything on the fish. I always use it and never have a problem.

Franklin Michael - 8 years ago

+MileHighReefers oh, okay, thanks. Would it be a good idea to get fish acustomed to the trap by feeding them sometimes in the trap? or is it impractical?

MileHighReefers - 8 years ago

Unfortunately no, once you see it its in the water and can feed on any fish. You won't necessarily be able to see it but its there. As long as there is a fish in the tank ich can feed and reproduce. you have to remove all the fish to break the cycle.

Jessica Melgar - 8 years ago

how many gallons is your tank?

MileHighReefers - 8 years ago

The one in this video is a 90 gallon, I've since upgraded to a 210.

goodall1bay - 8 years ago

It's so worth either developing a 'fish catcher '
Place the device in the aquarium every so often and place treats in it, then when the day comes, you can get everyone out.

MileHighReefers - 8 years ago

That's a great idea.,

Chris K - 8 years ago

+MileHighReefers Sir, I just started a 60 gallon fish only tank and there is 2 clown fish , 1 Naso tang and 1 blue damsel , unfortunately there was one other fish that recently died and it was a bi Colour angel fish , and it must have died from ICH as there was a lot of white spots on it , but I was curious why the Naso Tang did not get ICH as I heard many people say that it is not so of a hardy-fish , so is that true Sir?

MileHighReefers - 8 years ago

Sorry for your loss. Nasos can be fairly hardy fish, but it is a skin fish so it's very susceptible to ich. There's no way to know for sure why it didn't get ich. It maybe down to it a tuff fish with a good slime coat to protect it.

LivingStarDust - 8 years ago

I have simply killed ich with a UV sterilizer and water changes.

Reefahholic - 8 years ago

MisterE007, you need to do your homework. This is well know throughout the reefing hobby. Wanna find out. Google Snorvich and Humblefish. Both are experts in marine disease.

Reefahholic - 8 years ago

Millz reefing....you are 100% incorrect sir. If that were true ICH would no longer be an issue for Fish Farms, Public Aquariums, etc. Sorry you fell for a common myth.

10. comment for How I eliminated Ich in my reef tank

Jeroro Mouse - 8 years ago

may ask whats your tang's name? i dont get it yet

MileHighReefers - 8 years ago

+Jeroro Mouse The blue tang is Rinkins and the yellow tang is pinky.

becksta29 - 8 years ago

what did you use to kill the ich?just moved tanks??

becksta29 - 8 years ago

ok thanks I am using copper now and can already see a diff, will let you kno my results when they cured.how long do u recommend using it for?my fish don't have ick though,i think its velvet(fresh water)have you ever treated velvet with copper before?

MileHighReefers - 8 years ago

+becksta29 Treat the Ich in the QT with copper based medication. This will kill all the ich on the fish. With the display tank empty the ich parasites will simply starve to death as they don't have anything to feed on.

Reefahholic - 8 years ago

Hey just wanted to say that you are fairly accurate on a lot of things that you're saying but not 100%. Ich can remain undetectable in the gills of the fish regardless if you see the white spots on them or not. You cannot stop the lifecycle unless you use copper at a therapeutic level or tank transfer method. Some strains of it or actually resistant to hypo salinity. What you're seeing right now are fish that are well fed and healthy that built a slight immunity to the parasite. If you want a eliminate it you need to catch your fish again and do the tank transfer method and leave the tank fallow for 72 days. Google's Sorvich and tank transfer method. Best of luck.

Dubsy Dabster - 7 years ago

I think he just forgot to mention copper

MisterE007 - 8 years ago

+Millz Reefing/Gaming where you s your scientific evidence for this

blakers1992 - 8 years ago

lol i remember when i had trouble catching fish back in the day after u do it all day everyday it gets really easy hard to believe i know but its the truth

MileHighReefers - 8 years ago

+blakers1992 Man they can be tuff to catch especially if there's a lot of rock work.

Jake Carpenter - 8 years ago

I'm going to try this method next. I have used "Herbtana", "Kick Ich", "HydroPlex", and "Rally" from Ruby Reef and all failed horribly. Yes I used each one as directed to the letter. I'm done with chemicals. I tried garlic and all that stuff you hear on the internet. Its all a SHAM! I spent a ton on money on chemicals that claim to work and they all failed. I think your way makes more sense. I"m first doing a complete water change with fresh new clean water.

Jake Carpenter - 8 years ago

Did the ginger and it bombed royally. the only fix I found was having a hospital tank. I spent big money on almost every single option. ICH SUCKS!

Jake Carpenter - 8 years ago

OK so now I found out that this hippo tang didn't just have ich, but it also brought marine velvet into my tank. All my fish are wiped out completely. I have corals in this tank. Should I leave it empty of fish to kill the marine velvet too?

MileHighReefers - 8 years ago

+Jake Carpenter This method does work. It sucks not having your fish in the tank for 2 or 3 months but it worth it to have healthy fish on a healthy reef.

Jake Carpenter - 8 years ago

What kind of camera do you use? Great quality video and audio

MileHighReefers - 8 years ago

+Jake Carpenter That video was shot on a Nikon 510. I don't really like it for video because it just losses focus in the middle of the shot. It take great pictures tough. I'm currently using a cannon Vixia R600 It works really well for a $200 camcorder.

coolslc - 9 years ago

Ground Ginger works wonders on Ich

Rafael Ayala - 7 years ago

If I would I knew did it after loosing my emperor and clowntriger and works.

BoostedBadBoy ZX12R - 7 years ago

coolslc is it safe for inverts and corals?

Ashley L - 8 years ago

+coolslc wow, that's awesome. I'll look into that, thanks for the tip!!

coolslc - 8 years ago

+Ashley L on my 90G I used 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder for a week and it cleared the ich and flukes! It was safe for my crabs, snails and Kenya Tree Corals

Ashley L - 8 years ago

How do you use it?

Chris The Hobby Guy - 9 years ago

Great Tank.......your friend CHRIS THE HOBBY GUY

Fred Beer - 9 years ago

Hi how long did you qt corals and inverts to make sure they didn't carry ich in the main display? I've had a two month battle with it and never want it to return. Thanks

reef water king betterthemthebest - 9 years ago

u need to take this video off as are way of the mark with ich

James Harden - 7 years ago

reef water king betterthemthebest that made no sense

20. comment for How I eliminated Ich in my reef tank

Ben Fuller - 9 years ago

I'm starting my first reef tank soon but I'm curious. If you don't have the money to do what you did should I one day get an ich problem what would be a better cost efficent method. I don't have the money or space for another tank

Ben Fuller - 9 years ago

+MileHighReefers I see. The main fish I plan to get a clownfish some cleaner shrimp a hermit crab a cleaner wrasse damsel fish there purple and yellow fish from nemo abd some others. I really want a regal tang or yellow tang but all info I found online says a 66 us gallon tank is to small for them. Pretty much the fish in finding nemo and some others like a coral beauty dwarf angel and a starfish

MileHighReefers - 9 years ago

+Ben Fuller The minimum QT tank requirements are a tank, heater, power head, and saltwater. This system requires lots of water changes to maintain water quality. If you don't have a lot of money or space and your setting up a small tank with a couple of hardy fish, you can probably get away with out QTing the fish. I don't recommend this method but lots of people do it successfully.

Ben Fuller - 9 years ago

+MileHighReefers thanks. Do I need another full set up for a QT. Or would a tank without a skimmer pumps work? I literally have no more space for a full set up let alone the money for another saltwater tank. I have a small unused tank designed for freshwater but if I put saltwater in it would it cause any problems? I know saltwater reef tanks are expensive and it will require alot of investment but having just brought my first tank and only just found enough space I couldn't get another one anytime soon

MileHighReefers - 9 years ago

+Ben Fuller The most cost effective thing you can do is buy healthy fish and QT the fish. QT will hopefully prevent you from getting ich so you don't have to treat it.

risin flight - 9 years ago

did you have bristol worms

2019freddie - 8 years ago

+risin flight; no, they were from Swindon..

risin flight - 9 years ago

+MileHighReefers O, ok now im not so worried

MileHighReefers - 9 years ago

I've never had a problem with bristle worms. There actually benefital in most cases.

risin flight - 9 years ago

+MileHighReefers wow, glad im not the only one!

MileHighReefers - 9 years ago

yes there are always Bristol worms in my system

james stockbauer - 9 years ago

your audio is weak

wombraider091 - 9 years ago

Hi I'm new to reefing and only had a system for 2 months. I haven't had an ich problem but was wondering, if your dosing copper in a QT tank and its lethal to your beneficial bacteria, how did you maintain a cycle in your QT tank?

Thanks

Branden Valdes - 9 years ago

Thank you man this video really helped me understand about ich

e90Bimmer - 10 years ago

Ali Shah...a deep sand bed is HIGHLY beneficial. You don't know what you are talking about.

Rotter Tube Reef - 10 years ago

I have been meaning to comment. After all the research I did, your video is the one that helped me! My tank is awesome again thanks to you! I made a video showing my success with a hospital tank. I really didn't want to do it since I thought it would be a hassle...but it worked! Your help is so much appreciated! THANK YOU! Here is my video: Saltwater ich and marine velvet killing fish in reef tank - the facts - How I killed the parasite

MileHighReefers - 10 years ago

Thanks for the good feed back! it always makes me feel good to know that I'm helping people. I checked out your channel and you made a great video. Keep up the good work, I can't wait to see your tank develop.

Tatanka - 10 years ago

Nice Video.....I would recommend reducing your sand level and only aving a very tin layer of Sand which the goby fish can clean. Your sand bed looks very thick and it seems like there is a great amount of dirt hidden within it which can cause raised nitrates and nitrites.

M Thomas - 10 years ago

Your two fish remind me of Finding Nemo

Russia CCCP - 9 years ago

Oh god please don't

Duke Sweden - 10 years ago

How about cleaner wrasses? I had one in my 180 (non-reef tank) and none of my fish ever got ich. Unfortunately my pump shorted out and killed my tank. That was 7 years ago. Just getting it back up and running again.

30. comment for How I eliminated Ich in my reef tank

John Do - 10 years ago

Man I bought flame angel after week it was healhy then today notice a lot of white spots on it but he still eat normally is this good

Raghavan Mk - 9 years ago

+MileHighReefers pvpppkhhhhbpjjpjpoho

MileHighReefers - 10 years ago

The white spots are probably ich. It's good that he's eating but now you have to figure out how to treat it. Copper based medication is the best but it kill all inverts and live rock. Angels are also very sensitive to copper. Do lots of research and find the treatment that works best for your situation.

Maria Dominguez - 10 years ago

Hi, so when you put them fishes in the other tank( quarantine) did you add any medication? Or you just watched them for 2 months...

TheFishTank Doc. - 10 years ago

Why would you wan't to stare at a reef tank with no fish in it!!. Well it's alot better than staring at a tank full of dead fish. Great job, and great video. Copper only works in a Q.T tank. If you dose copper in a tank with rock and sand, then the copper will just get adsorbed by the rock, and not do it's job. But still the only way to beat ich is Copper, hyposalinity, or in your case the transfer methord. If only every one followed your advice LOL!!.

TheFishTank Doc. - 8 years ago

So Harry what are you trying say. Ginger does not kill the ich, or does it raise the fishes immune system, by any significant amount. Ich multiplies rapidly in a tank, because of the level of fish per given volume, when compared to the sea. So no amount of ginger or garlic will help. Maybe I will have to read the scientific paper written by Dobbin the house elf LOL.!!!

TheFishTank Doc. - 8 years ago

+Millz Reefing/Gaming Good one Harry Potter!!!.

muffemod - 10 years ago

remove the tangs. remove the ich.

muffemod - 10 years ago

+jpruitt546
Tangs are ich magnets. Well known in the industry.

PatrolDog - 10 years ago

Where did you hear that from. Completly not true. Ich can attack any fish in a system. Do a little research before you spread propaganda and hurt fellow reefers systems and pocket books.

defcon816 - 11 years ago

Raising the temp speeds up the ich's life cycle. It works best when done in conjunction with the use of UV or meds.

Tara Camenzind - 11 years ago

Just set up a hospital tank treat ALL of your fish with copper and leave your tank fallow for 9 weeks. Simple as that. I did it in my tank and it worked great! That is the only way! If you didn't treat your fish with copper or hypo in you hospital tank than there is still a possibility that ich is still living in your tank.

Danny's Fish - 11 years ago

Forgot also UV light.

Danny's Fish - 11 years ago

There is only one 100 percent way to not have ich. All the other options only help, garlic, QT tank, meds and cleaner shrimp. If you treated a fish properly with copper, then put it in a tank started with dry rock and dry sand and never put another fish coral or invert in the tank that'd be about as close to 100% as you could get.

MileHighReefers - 11 years ago

There isn't. My research says that they aren't very useful for treating ich. That being said I still plan to get one because it will add to the diversity of the tank and there just cool.

Danny's Fish - 11 years ago

Is there a cleaner shrimp in the tank?

MorpheousLA - 11 years ago

Excellent information. Thanks

MileHighReefers - 11 years ago

I hope you don't have any reoccurrences. Ich is such a pain to beat once its in your tank. I'm glad to hear your fish is doing well, happy reefing.

915Mang - 11 years ago

Yeah my Hippo has gotten ick a few times. I think as long as they are actively eatting they will beat the ick.

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