Crap I've got ich!! Question about adf's and quick cure

[phi_betta_kappa]

Sorry Squeakfish- Did I bother you? I know you can use regular non-iodized salt- in fact it is what I use. Saying aquarium salt is just force of habit I guess.

 

[Squeakfish]

It's not bothersome - I just used to work at a fish store and people would come in and pay outrageous prices for what is essentially table salt. I'm an advocate of saving money wherever possible

 

[phi_betta_kappa]

I also used to work w/ pets (in the late 1980's to early 1990's.)
I agree about saving money- this hobby is expensive enough.
Some say that iodized is not harmful but I always get the non-iodized.
Better safe than sorry.

 

[Squeakfish]

Yes, definitely.
Get kosher salt. Morton's sells kosher salt, it's priced about the same as regular salt.

 

[inkyjenn]

mortons kosher salt is also yummy in food

 

[phi_betta_kappa]

The main thing is to get that ich under control
Heat + Salt = Goodbye ICH
I use 1 tbs salt to 5 gallons and crank up the heat to about 82- 84 degrees.
After the initial dose don't add more salt unless you remove water from the tank.
Dose for the water you are adding with water changes- not the whole tank volume again.
Salt doesn't filter out.
(Other people may have different recommendations on the amount/temp to use- I'm just telling you what I have done.)
When you haven't seen Ich for 4 days you're usually cured.

Your mollies & platies will love the salt- and your betta, tetras, & pleco won't mind it.

(Morton's Kosher is what i'm using too.)

 

[Squeakfish]

I would suggest dissolving the salt in dechlorinated water before adding it, because of your pleco. Salt can sometimes bother them.
Move the three ADFs to the betta tanks - 2 in one, 1 in the other - they won't stress the bioload a whole lot in those tanks. I would personally also move the apple snail, but I don't know how well they handle salt and high temperatures.
PhiBettaKappa's idea is best. Crank up the heat, add 1 tbs per 5 gallons, do water change each day, replace salt equivalent only to the water you took out. So, a five gallon water change = 1 tbs. I would extend the four days to a week, but that's me. Turn the temp down after four days to avoid stressing your fish.

 

[lorindaleigh]

Get the frogs out! They absolutely DO NOT handle ammonia AT ALL. No matter what, you must remove the frogs. Ich does not affect them, but they don't handle salt well and the ammonia becomes deadly quick for frogs.
It's better to increase the heat and add salt instead of using medications. It's less stressful for the fish.

Where do you suggest that I put them?

 

[lorindaleigh]

I agree- get the frogs out. Do massive water changes as many times a day as neccesary to get the ammonia down. Turn the temp up in your tank to 84 deg and add aquarium salt-(The high temp accelerates the ich lifecycle- thus it dies faster. Salt inhibits the ich reproductive cycle.) You have mollies & platies- mollies & platies (and other livebearers) actually need some salt to do well. Don't use that copper crap- it will kill your inverts.

I do use salt with every water change. Ive alway been a huge fan of aquarium salt. The salt has never bothered my adf's. I never use copper in my aquarium. Quick cure doesn't have copper in it.

 

[lorindaleigh]

I tried the adfs in the betta tanks last week. They were not happy in there. I dont have enough plants in either tank. My apple snail is already in one of my betta tanks. Maybe, I just didnt give them enough time to adjust. I only left them in the betta tanks for 1 day.

Since my ammonia is currently at 1 ppm Ill leave them for tonight. In the morning when I add more aquarium salt, Ill move them until the ich is gone.