copper-free ich medication

[mtkas29]

does anyone here ever used "NO-ICH MARINE"?
do they really work?

[thefatman]

^^^

[Joel]

never have, I feed garlic in the food and use a uv sterilizer 24/7. I had a brief ich outbreak in April immediately after changing tanks but it was totally gone within a week and no losses.

[Mafiaman]

crush metronidazole pills up and disolve in water then add to tank. 250mg per 20g
They parsite has a 21 day lfe cycle so treat for 2 weeks, stop for a week treat for 2 weeks stop for a week then ttreat for last two weeks
Get them from a Vet.
LFS get $10 for 6.
Thru the Vet it's like $25 for 100

All the non-copper anti itch stuff is, Is pepper sauce! LOL

[Mrs Smith]

Mafiaman brings up an interesting point. Up until now, I'd never heard of metronidazole being used for ich. I did some digging online and found very little information about it, other than it being a suggested second line treatment, and the statement on the box that it's "safe for biological sand beds."

Having used it clinically to treat anaerobic infections in humans, I'm skeptical to say the least. (About the "safe for sand bed" part.) While Clostridium sp. does vary from the Nitrosomonas/Nitrobacters, I'd like to hear some results before recommending it. Just wondering, as the exact mechanism of action for the drug is unknown, as far as I could find.

Mafiaman - have you used it sucessfully in a reef? I'm really curious about this.

Thanks,
Danielle

[Mafiaman]

Yes I have used it and it has cleared up the paracites very well.
It was recomended to us by Mark over at Fish store & More in buckhead Ga.
You get a partical snow storm for about 1 minute.
As far as i can tell it has affected nothing but the paracites.
He says if you have clams to cut dosage in half and mix with food instead of just pouring it into the water.

[mtkas29]

hi guys...
i'm treating my tank right now with this "no-ich marine"...
kinda overdose it on the first dose...almost twice the requirement...is this a problem?

this is what i normally do when i feel some symtoms of flu or cold...double dosage...

[Mrs Smith]

It could be. Your body can excrete overages...not so in a closed system. Keep a close eye on things, and have emergency water change water ready.

Thanks, Mafiaman. I had read more often to feed it to the fish. (Which is the route used when treating humans for certain parasites.)

Danielle