Ich treatment

[Rock]

I am in the process of adding fish to a 90 gal reef tank that is 3 months old. Some of the fish I know have either had ich or have ich. Not sure what to do. I have read a lot of info on the web, sounds like it may just continue to increase in number. Looks like treament is either copper or UV. what has been the experience of most in treatment, or do I just let things play out. I do routine water changes and so far water quality test have been very good.

Thanks

[Joshua]

UV won't eliminate it so a waste of time IMO. Copper will kill off inverts and bad for corals so if you've got any of those don't do dat. To be honest I'd just leave it alone, most healthy fish will fight off the ich on their own, maybe add a couple drops of garlic extract to the food when you're feeding to help with the immune system and such. If you really want to do some sort of treatment look into the hyposalinity treatment, it'll kill the ich off deader than a doornail if done right and rid it completely from the tank until you add more fish.

[Bill S]

Do a search around here. Consensus of those that have been around a while is feed the fish well, and let them get over it on their own.

[Mr Cob]

I have to agree.

Keep them happy and they will keep it at bay.

[Pennies2Cents]

You can also try to add a Cleaner Shrimp & a Cleaner Wrasse. Feed them good and keep em happy..

IMO: Copper would be the last resort.

[Joshua]

Yeah cleaner shrimp are awesome once the fish figures out they're not trying to eat them. LOL... I dunno how much they really help with the ich but it's neat to see a fish swim up to the cleaning station and the shrimp jump all over them. I had a tang that figured it out a long time ago and would make his rounds all the time, seemed like the shrimp recognized him because they'd jump on him a lot quicker than they would the other fish.

[rockmp]

I had an out break of it in my 55g and the only way I got rid of it was to feed the fish very often (3-4 times per day) if possible and do frequent water changes. That is how i got rid of it and has not come back.

[Mr Cob]

I had an out break of it in my 55g and the only way I got rid of it was to feed the fish very often (3-4 times per day) if possible and do frequent water changes. That is how i got rid of it and has not come back.

FYI...great advice...but that doesn't mean it's gone...the fish are just happy and able to keep it at bay. Kind of like people...we get stressed then we get sick. A happy fish has no problem keeping the pest from taking over.

[Rock]

I do have a clean shrimp, although I don't think the clowns will use him. Is one cleaner shrimp enough? Is there a specific type of wr***** I am trying to order a neon gobie for the same purpose but apparently they are out of season. Thanks for the help and advice.

[Mr Cob]

Cleaner wrasse too.

[Pennies2Cents]

Do you have an anenome for those clowns? We had a big outbreak in our tank and our clowns didnt show any signs of ich cause they kept brushing them selves agains the anemone. Kinda kept the clowns clean too..

Hope all is this helps.

[alton]

I had a Regal Tang that had a hard time kicking the Ich problem so he started swimming into the BTA that a GSM Clown called home. The ritual lasted for a week until the Regal showed no more signs of Ich and then he stopped going into the anenomoe.

[Rock]

no I do not have an anemone, but would like to get one.