nitrates and ich

[shin00bi]

Do high nitrate levels assist ich in taking over fish? I think that getting a protein skimmer would really help in the nitrates department in my tank and i probably should have gotten one a LOT sooner. unfortunately now the sand in my tank is browning really fast and my protein skimmer is in the mail. Anyways how much do you think that the protein skimmer will help my fish against ich and algae? Thanks

[Casey]

Will not help with ich but will help some with algae do water changes to help with Nitrates use ro/di water.

[ScoobityDoobity]

Treat the food with garlic drops, it will help with the ick. My Hippo was getting ick all the time so I started using it and he hasn't gotton it since.

[Doug1]

Using a skimmer can help keep nitrates down since it physically removes some organics from the water column. Sounds like you have a classic case of new tank syndrome, and waiting and patience is the best cure.
Anytime you add fish you run the risk of introducing the ich pathogen. Normally happy well fed fish are able to seal with it on there own without obvious outbreak, but stress, and poor water quality can definatly contribute to its making an appearence

[Mkelly]

I noticed this also but, I'm thinking it's more water quality then the actual nitrate level. For me high nitrates is bad water caused by overfeeding, detrius and the like.

Do some water changes.

Where the sand is browning get some water movement in those areas.

How old is the tank?

[Doug1]

Fish will tolerate higher nitrate levels than most inverts and if it raises gradually like in old tank with few water changes they will adjust , but fail to thrive if moved into new tank with cleaner water. Its a stressor and to be avoided. Its like you can adjust to living in a crowded apt but do you want to

[shin00bi]

The tank is about 5 months old, and is browning only in sandy areas that the 220w power compact touches.