Canadian Driftwood

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Open Question: Ich treatment (for a delicate balance of fish)?
10 gal freshwater tank 2 kuhli loaches 1 algae eating shrimp (India White stripe? looks similiar to http://kep.ivpicture.hu/116665.jpg except mine is a beautiful dark brown with more of a pink-tone stripe) 4 adult platies + some small fry (3 painted swordtails, 1 high-fin) About two weeks ago I purchased a high-fin platy from the store. The batch of fish was new and somehow despite careful observation I somehow missed that the fish the guy scooped me had fin rot. She's getting over the rot just fin, but within the last few days I noticed my fish flashing. Looking closer I saw they had ich. (boo!) My tank has been set up for a few years now, but I've never had ich before and have come seeking advice. Since I have such an oddball assortment of fish I have to maintain a careful balance between them. The shrimp automatically rules out any treatments which contain copper. I also have to beware of some medications themselves because my loaches are scaleless. I have read that higher tank temperatures and salt will work on the ich, but I'm worried if I go too warm my shrimp will not be able to survive (despite being a tropical critter, shrimp don't seem to like it too hot). Both the loaches and the shrimp cannot be replaced, my LFS where I bought them haven't had more in in a loooong time. The platies are the most hardy and I know can take some abuse, but I'd refer not to lose my swordtail strain. It's taken a lot of breeding to get them to this point, the colors are just perfect. Tank is currently at 82*F and I have added salt. Do I up it another two degrees, or hold steady? Input would be much appriciated. Don't know if this will make a difference or not so adding: I do have live plants. An Anubis, a java fern, a marimo moss ball, and a clump of java moss.
Open Question: How often shall i change my 70l tropical fish tank?
also how much water do I change? and will i need to clean the sides, clean the gravel and toys and plants?

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 18th, 2008 at 4:58 am and is filed under Tropical Fish. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.