Trial run of Microbe-Lift Herbtana... Ich killer??

sks4613 · 03-02-2010, 08:16 PM

As I mentioned on here I had purchased a powder blue that was supposed to have been qt'd/ and treated. Guess what the LFS guy lied yep who would have thought that? After reading about different ways to help the fish and my QT currently curing LR, I decided to try the microbe-lift herbtana. I am skeptical, however before I move onto more drastic measures I thought I would give this stuff a run. I could not find much info or reviews about it period anywhere. I did find one link that details control tests on corals and fish http://www.microbelift.com/catalogs/...rochure.R3.pdf.
I can say after 8 hours of it being in the DT tank, it has not upset any corals with the exception of my torch who get upset if you look at him wrong. He has completely withdrawn. There is no sign of stress in any of the fish other than scratching at rocks and it actually seemed that my yuma's and florida rics and acans were quite pleased with me adding it. I did see a chunk of frogspawn free floating in the tank not sure how or if it could be a result of adding this but I thought it was odd. All my heads of FS are fine.
All fish are eating so hopefully I can run this for 3-4 days and if no signs of improvement I will move on to more drastic measures. The only downside I really see so far is no skimming during the treatment. I am most likely going to commandeer a ATS screen from a buddy of mine and run it while I am treating with this just to be on the safe side. Will add more and results of treatment as it goes along.

jenglish · 03-02-2010, 08:19 PM

Following along, but with all reef safe ich cures,

sks4613 · 03-02-2010, 08:37 PM

I'm skeptical as well. But as I said the fish aren't stressing and are still eating plus it would be HELL getting them out of the DT. We'll see. Not that much info out there. I was fairly certain it wasn't going to hurt the corals and it didn't. Now just have to wait and see if it helps with the Ich.

sks4613 · 03-03-2010, 11:28 AM

Ok here are some pics today. I missed pics yesterday. I am not worried about light balance and they are not the best pics. The object is to show the infected fish, and the reaction the corals are having if any and describe them.
I will have to say the tangs Hippo and powder blue do not look any worse. They are still eating and other than scratching on rocks show no signs of stress. The rest of the tank mates while I am certain are infected do not show any signs yet.
The corals today are about the same the torch is no happy at all. I may relocate him for the time being. The pics I am posting today are 20 minutes are dosing the tank so you can see the reaction. All corals exception being torch opened normally when lights came on this morning. the fox coral is not open as much as normal but I think this is probably a result of no skimming day 2 rather than the treatment. It seems to be a great nitrate or water change detector.
Here are the pics. Pics of fish and various coral reactions.
Notice the zenia closing but extending. Possibly trying to feed. The yumas an mushrooms cup greatly after dosing but return to normal within and hour after feeding.

sks4613 · 03-03-2010, 11:31 AM

Heres the pics.

sks4613 · 03-03-2010, 11:34 AM

pics of coral reactions.

sks4613 · 03-03-2010, 11:38 AM

More pics of coral reactions. Again all corals that appear withdrawn have returned to normal within the hour.

sks4613 · 03-03-2010, 11:44 AM

More pics of coral reactions.

sks4613 · 03-03-2010, 11:46 AM

Thats it for day 2. Wont post pics of corals again unless something dies or does something crazy. Will post pics of fish occasionaly to show progress. I will be adding the borrowed ATS screen since no skimming is allowed. This is a 10 day process per the bottle. I had to buy 2 cost was $24.

Loverotties · 03-03-2010, 11:56 AM

Thanks for the pics!

sks4613 · 03-04-2010, 04:37 PM

Day Three.... the Powder blue hippo that I suspect brought the outbreak on actually looks better. All spots on his body appear to be gone, exception being right fin still has visible signs of the outbreak. I suspect that he truly is the one responsible and that his improvement is most likely NOT due to the medication rather his own natural immunity he has built up. Ich is stress related and adding him to the new tank is what caused the outbreak.
The blue hippo while I can't say he looks better, I can certainly say he does not look any worse. He is still eating and unstressed other than the occasional scraping on the rocks.
All other fish in the tank (5) still show no signs of any infection. All corals are still apparently unaffected and doing fine.

sks4613 · 03-05-2010, 09:38 AM

Day 4. The Hippo tang looks better, although still clearly infected. The powder blue tang shows no outward sign of infection at all. I wonder if this is due to the medication or the natural life cycle of the parasite?
I will post a pic of the tang in a bit for comparison to day two photos.
No other fish appear infected all are still eating well and not showing any signs of stress.

sks4613 · 03-05-2010, 10:30 AM

Heres day four pics.

sks4613 · 03-06-2010, 08:34 PM

Day 5. No new fish showing infections. Hippo still the same, infected not much better not much worse. Everyones still eating and not stressing.

sks4613 · 03-07-2010, 10:31 PM

Day 6. No new infections. No dead fish. Everyone eating and healthy. Blue Hippo is looking better. Pics in the morning. Did notice the Herbtana was foaming in my sump in the water flow. Contacted Their customer support via email. Received a response within the hour. Stated I should turn the flow down that this usually didn't occur but wasn't harmful. All corals are doing great.