Hyposalinity or Copper?

[iceslinger]

Good afternoon everyone. I have determined my DT is invested with Marine ich. I already lost 2 fish do to the disease and don't want my remaining pair of clowns to perish too. I would have treated the clowns immediately, but did not have a QT setup.

The QT is now setup with a sponge filter seeding in the DT(7 days). I have researched treatment and can not decide between copper and hyposalinity. Each seem to have their ups and downs, so I decided to ask the experts.

Also, I plan on leaving the DT fishless for at least 9 weeks. Thanks in advance for your input.

[jenglish]

I tend to think that hypo is easier on the fish and lasts about as long as the fallow period. Some fish do not handle copper very well but clowns are pretty tolerant. There are however a few strains of ich resistent to hyposalinity. They are pretty rare but out there. So I probably didn't clear up anything. I tend to favor hypo myself.

[Mr.Peanut]

If its just the 2 clowns, I would put them into the q/t at their regular salinity. Then immediately treat with a product called "CLOUT" its pretty amazing how fast it worked for me when q/ting new fish.

You could really use any fish safe ich remedy. In the q/t, you are not bound to just copper or hypo you have a few more options. Leaving the DT fallow for 9 weeks is a good idea. You may want to rethink your q/t filter, I think your sponge filter will prove to be inadequate for 2 adult fish.

Good luck.

[Fish Dude32]

I prefer cuprimine and I've never lost a fish with it!

[iceslinger]

Originally Posted by Mr.Peanut

If its just the 2 clowns, I would put them into the q/t at their regular salinity. Then immediately treat with a product called "CLOUT" its pretty amazing how fast it worked for me when q/ting new fish.

You could really use any fish safe ich remedy. In the q/t, you are not bound to just copper or hypo you have a few more options. Leaving the DT fallow for 9 weeks is a good idea. You may want to rethink your q/t filter, I think your sponge filter will prove to be inadequate for 2 adult fish.

Good luck.

According to the research I have done so far the only proven remedy for ich is copper (copper based medicines) and hyposalinity. Also, I have back up HOB filters if needed, but I plan on doing 20% water changes 2 times per week in the QT.

[Loverotties]

Good luck with your clowns.I wouldn't worry about WC while you have them in the QT,because that can add stress to them and if you do,don't forget to adjust the copper back to where it was before the WC.

[VWD]

I agree with copper the best route here. You have a QT tank so why not use the most effective treatment.

Most all the reef safe don't work or are not very effective and the hypo-salinity may or my not work.

[cutietwo]

since their clowns the copper is what I would do. with the hypo i've never had the best of luck with. the api super ick cure works awesome if you want to give that a try it's for fresh and saltwater use.

[Antdizzle]

never heard it called hyposalinity... never knew the term existed until now... i just always did a fresh water dip and watch things just fall off, though its prob not the best way to do things and it can be hard on fish but its alway been effective

[Mr.Peanut]

Originally Posted by Antdizzle

never heard it called hyposalinity... never knew the term existed until now... i just always did a fresh water dip and watch things just fall off, though its prob not the best way to do things and it can be hard on fish but its alway been effective

A FW dip is different than a hypo treatment. Hypo is gradually lowering the salinity from 1.025 to 1.009 then maintaining 1.009 for about 8 weeks.

[iceslinger]

Originally Posted by Antdizzle

never heard it called hyposalinity... never knew the term existed until now... i just always did a fresh water dip and watch things just fall off, though its prob not the best way to do things and it can be hard on fish but its alway been effective

Here is a great post on Hyposalinity. Lee seems to really know what he is talking about and has several other informative posts.

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...t-process.html

Here is a post on Marine Ich.

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ths-facts.html

[iceslinger]

So if I was to use Copper, how do I remove the copper from the tank? I think I have read carbon removes it?

[Mr.Peanut]

Hypo can be very effective if done properly.

Probably the most important tool is a refractometer. A REFRACTOMETER IS A MUST. A swing-arm hydrometer is absolutely useless when trying to perform a hypo treatment. Salinity must be maintained at 1.009 a deviation of as little as .002 in salinity will botch the whole deal and allow the ich to carry on. Swing arm hydrometers cannot measure accurately enough to do it right.

Ich needs a certain osmotic pressure to finish its reproductive cycle. At 1.009, the life cycle is interrupted and that particular strain of ich slowly dies off. Its basically due to old age and that there are no new ich babies to carry on the family name.

[Mr.Peanut]

Originally Posted by iceslinger

Here is a great post on Hyposalinity. Lee seems to really know what he is talking about and has several other informative posts.

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...t-process.html

Here is a post on Marine Ich.

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ths-facts.html

Those are fantastic links.

Last December I decided to decided to do a hypo treatment, I tried to document the whole 8 weeks here on TRT as best as I could. Its almost a year later and I am still Ich
Thread on my hypo experience.....
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f6...ow-124438.html


Thread on how to hypo.......
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f1...ch-126949.html

[iceslinger]

Originally Posted by Mr.Peanut

Those are fantastic links.

Last December I decided to decided to do a hypo treatment, I tried to document the whole 8 weeks here on TRT as best as I could. Its almost a year later and I am still Ich
Thread on my hypo experience.....
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f6...ow-124438.html


Thread on how to hypo.......
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f1...ch-126949.html

I read your thread and it sounds like hyposalinity worked well for you. What did you use to keep your PH up? I plan on using baking soda.Also, would a carbon filter help keep the ammonia level down?