I was told to just raise the temp. To 85 degrees but will the fish die at this temp.? In the tank is 7 cichlids and a small largemouth bass.
1.The first thing you need to do is slowly raise the temperature of your tank to around 85 degrees. Ich can not survive at this temperature and will die off.
2.Leave the tank at this temperature for 14 days (2 weeks) even if it looks like the ich is gone from your tank. This is because the ich has a lifecycle, the only time the ich pests are visible as white spots on your fish is when it is in the parasitic stage. Otherwise the little buggers will live in your fish tank gravel or substrate or even be free swimming. Leave the tank at 85 degrees for 2 whole weeks (14 days) at a minimum. For hardier strains , you can even leave the tank at that temperature for up to 20 days.
3.Some websites suggest adding salt to the fish tank, this is not necessary. Salt is actually very bad for some types of fish and crustaceans. Frogs, snails, scaleless fish, shrimp and others do NOT survive a dose of salt, plus it is unnecessary when the heat will do the trick.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com 4.If you ask a fish store employee, they may try to sell you an expensive medication to treat white spot, this is also not necessary. Additionally, many of these medicines will stain your fish tank and kill off weaker fish (see the salt list above). Don't waste your money.
The fish are fine at this temp. I usually go to 90 - 95 depending on the fish. Most tropical fish can survive up to the low 100's, so 85 or 90 is not a problem at all. The higher the temp, the quicker you will get rid of ich. I usually add aquarium or rock salt (make sure there is no iodine or anti-caking agents), at a rate of 1 Tbsp per 5 gallons .
Also, keep in mind that as temp goes up, the water has less ability to hold oxygen so you should use an air stone whenever you are increasing temperature as a treatment.
I do not add any ich medication unless you have a reason you can't elevate the temperature. There's no point in poisoning your fish when it's completely unnecessary. Look at the ingredients on any ich medication and look them up, formaldehyde, Malachite green, etc .. These are like treating a common cold with chemotherapy.
85 is a little to high, but it won't kill them. I would raise the temp to about 80 and get some of the drops to cure the ick and it will be gone in no time :-)
No just go to the store and get some rid ich-it turns the water blue for 3 days then all ich is gone on day 4. Water will turn clear by day five-
