Treating ICK

[bigcheif]

I have a newly set up 29 galloon tank. I am new to this hobby and I havent been able to set up a QT yet. I was wandering what was the best approach to treat ick when you dont have a QT. If you use coppersafe with this affect your live rock, crabs and snails.

[greenbean36191]

There are no proven ways to treat ich in a tank that houses invertebrates. If you use copper with liverock the rock will be ruined and will kill inverts for some time to come if you try to reuse it. Also, it's generally a bad idea to use medications in tanks with rock or sand. Porous substrates can soak up the medication and make it difficult to maintain the proper dosage.

[MISTERFIXIT]

The best way to treat ICK?

Buy from a reliable source (no ICK).Keep the temp of the tank very stable!Proper water paramiters,good food.I fought with it for a while,in 2 tanks,a 55 and a 90 gal.If you must do something try a neon blue goby (cleaner) or a cleaner shrimp.The goby is more accepted by all kinds of fish ,the shrimp can be a bit skittish.As far as the temp,the less the change the better.I bought a heater with the temp on the adjustment knob (forgot the name) the temp stays within 1 to 2 degrees of the setting,Vital!!!Some LFS actually keep their new stock in hyposalinity (kills ICK),Care must be taken to acclimate these,possibly up to 2 hours, talk to the locals and ask questions.

Marc

[tango]

Hey Big Cheif,
greenbean is right you don't want to really use any meds. in your main tank.
I had a problem awhile back w/ich in my reef tank, I bought a couple of cleaner shrimp and I treat all food w/ garlic (even now). I also run a uv sterilizer I haven't had an ich problem since. The garlic is said to help build up the immune system.