Bacterial bloom - bad timing

[Leetch]

I'm very new to the saltwater venue and have been slamming my self with as much information as possible. I'm very aware it will never go perfect and at the times when things seem the best, expect the worst.

That being said, I have a 29g reef tank that is a few months old. 1 Occ and 2 Firefish with of course a bunch of crabs and snails to clean up. About a week ago I noticed the tank seeming a little less clear than usual. I tested my water and also had it tested at the local pet store and everything was within "normal" parameters. Over the past few days it's become a little worse (not horrible but definately not clear). I'd love to do a water change but to make things worse, my poor little clown and one of the firefish contracted Ich. Being new, I didn't know much about having a QT and I can't get one set up in time to medicate these fish so I was forced to medicate my main tank.

This begs the question, how can I handle the assumed bacterial bloom since I am medicating my tank. I don't think I can do a water change during the medication cycle and the last thing I want to do is stress out my fish from a large water change until the Ich is gone. Should I just keep the feeding to a minimum and hope it gets better?

Side note: I've had to remove the carbon filter due to the medication cycle. I've been feeding them twice a day brine shrimp and recently switched to mysis since it seems to create a little less waste and is easier to clean up.

Thank you for having a great site with a lot of fantastic advice. It makes it easier for us rookies to become more adept at the craft as we go through our trials and tribulations.

[Leetch]

Uggh sorry I meant to post this in the reef area

[Ninong]

Uggh sorry I meant to post this in the reef area

Hi Leetch,




Sorry to hear about your problems with ich. You're right, you should not have medicated your display aquarium, especially since it is a reef aquarium with live rock.

Please describe exactly what medication you have used in your aquarium. In the meantime, I am moving your thread to the forum that deals with medication and sick fish. I think you will get the best help there.

[Leetch]

Thanks Ninong,

I'm using Kick Ich as the medication. Yes I wish I didn't have to medicate my main tank but I didn't have the foresight or knowledge prior. I'm am wiser now but it's a bit too late for that, at this point I didn't have enough time to get a QT running.

I believe the cycle for Kick Ich is about 2 weeks so that leaves me 2 weeks without a carbon filter. I'm hoping the change in food with the reduced waste will help but I'm not sure. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[leebca]

Leetch,

Not sure who's advice you are following, but you are not going about things the right way. This hobby has almost as many ideas as hobbyists, but it boils down just a few right ways to handle matters.

Sorry to hear of your difficulties.

First, regarding the cloudiness. By your posts, you've decided it is a bacterial bloom. Be careful about this evaluation. Do your best to be sure just what is happening.

Next, the fish -- all the fish need to move out of your 29 UNLESS your 29 has no live rock, carbonate-based substrate and is pretty much bare. This is not likely so you might as well setup a QT and do it right.

The Kick Ich and other products don't do it. You are best armed with knowledge. So there is more 'slamming' you need to do to learn about Marine Ich. This one post will start you off on learning what you need to know and how to properly cure the fish:
Curing Fish of Marine Ich

I don't want to try and advise you what to do in this post because I might forget to write something. BUT everything you need to know and do is in that post I linked above AND the other links that post directs you to.

Once your fish are out of the main tank and in quarantine beginning the treatment that will work, we can work on your tank problems.

Good luck!