Ich during cycle

[micah2012]

I'm in my first week of a fish in cycle on my 55 gallon. I just noticed today that my tetras have Ich. I plan on getting copper safe tommorow to treat the tank. My question is will this Ich treatment effect my nitrogen cycle at all? Are there special steps to take with this paticular issue? Oh and is copper safe, safe for plants? I plan on copper safe due to having loaches.

 

[Lotus]

I usually use CopperSafe, and I have found it to be really effective. It can affect your plants, but doesn't usually kill them.

No, it won't affect your cycle.

 

[Lonewolfblue]

Heat treatment alone for ick will work well as well. And for the higher temp, the plants won't be bothered too much, and the cycle may even speed up a little, as the mid to upper 80's is where the bacteria multiply the fastest. So if you slowly raise it to 88-89 degrees, and do PWC's as necessary to keep ammonia levels down below .5ppm, all will go well for you.

 

[micah2012]

my tank has been at 85 degrees all week, even before I noticed the Ich so I donm't think that, that nis working.

 

[Lonewolfblue]

The temp needs to be above 86 degrees. Below 86 degrees, ick will multiply faster and spread. I've never successfully got rid of ick below 86 degrees. I use 89 degrees myself, and usually get rid of ick within a week or 2 at the most, and then keep my temp up for 2 weeks after you see the last spot disappear, just to verify it's gone for good.

 

[micah2012]

I never heard that heat alone will get rid of the Ich. I was told that any higher temp would just simply make them multiply faster. And those really high temps, wouldn't that be bad for the fish?

 

[Lonewolfblue]

As long as you have plenty of aeration, the fish will be fine. Temps up to 86 degrees will speed up the life cycle yes, but over 86 degrees will kill the ick. But if you get a bad strain, then you may end up going to 92 degrees before getting rid of it. I had that 1 time, spread like wildfire at 89 degrees, and had to do 92 degrees plus salt to knock it off. And I had no deaths, all fish were fine. The main thing is the temp must be brought up slowly, and have lots of aeration.

 

[AbsurdKnight]

From what I've read, when you do the raise the temperature method. It's usually a good idea to increase the amount of aquarium salt too because enough salt can kill the ick. You'd have to increase the salt amount somewhat slowly, and too much salt might be a bit hard on the loaches though.

 

[DclownD]

how many spoons of salt per gallon i did 14 spoons for 30 gallons... not sure how that will work out though lol

 

[THUNDER]

how many spoons of salt per gallon i did 14 spoons for 30 gallons... not sure how that will work out though lol

Way too much salt, Clown. If you want to use salt, then one tablespoon per 5 gallons is recommened.

Thunder

 

[DclownD]

i used tea spoons lol 14 tea spoons wich equals like 4 1/2 tablespoons i think?