6+ weeks at hyposalinity and.......

[LosingSleep]

This is so discouraging. The fish were at a constant 1.0075 and in the last week and a half I've brought them up to 1.015. I just notice a spot of ich on the clown. SO... now in another week+ when the fish are back up to 1.025 I'll have to start copper treatments. I hate doing this to the fish and from here on, all fish get a copper QT bath before going in the display. FRUSTRATING!!!

 

[JohnK]

That stinks.

Couple of questions;
- Are you %100 sure the spot(s) are ick? IMO paranioa sets in at about this time

-Is your refractometer calibrated accurately? (how so?)

-could there be any possibility of cross contamination? (another tank/system that was still in infected? same net, cleaning tools, hands exct....)

-Have you seen Triggerfish's RC link "the Quest to eradicate..." ? It goes on for over a year, and has ongoing updates of several peoples experiences inc mine. The reported experiences vary a lot, several people reported doing proper treatments and still having the parasite survive. It may not give you an answer, but surely will offer a lot to consider relating to what your seeing. (I'll look for a link)

 

[Chris L]

well at least the main should be ick free after the 6 weeks.

 

[LosingSleep]

That stinks.

Couple of questions;

- Are you %100 sure the spot(s) are ick? IMO paranioa sets in at about this time

I'm quite confident. The clown as a large "salt grain" on it's dorsal fin...I'm going to assume the worst.

-Is your refractometer calibrated accurately? (how so?)

It was checked with distilled and ro/di.

-could there be any possibility of cross contamination? (another tank/system that was still in infected? same net, cleaning tools, hands exct....)

Good question. I may have used the same siphon hose and I may have used an algae scrubber but I would have washed them between use. It never crossed my mind not to do this.

-Have you seen Triggerfish's RC link "the Quest to eradicate..." ? It goes on for over a year, and has ongoing updates of several peoples experiences inc mine. The reported experiences vary a lot, several people reported doing proper treatments and still having the parasite survive. It may not give you an answer, but surely will offer a lot to consider relating to what your seeing. (I'll look for a link)

I'll check it out. Sounds like a lot of reading.

well at least the main should be ick free after the 6 weeks.

That's a plus, it's been over 8 weeks.