Follow up to using salt for Ich; how can chemicals/salt leave the tank? Only by water changes?

Question

I know nothing. My fish do not have ich. If they should ever have ich, my vet doesn't treat fish. If I were to try the salt cure and it doesn't work, then I would have to try the chemical cure, which would work, right? Then how would I get all of that salt and chemicals out of my aquarium?

My assumption, from reading all of your answers, is that salt is much safer in the water than the chemicals.

My fish are very stressed now from cycling and water changes so I'm watching them closely.

Answer 1

You are right, salt must leave the tank through water changes. 50% daily for 3 days would get the salt levels back down to a "normal" range fairly quickly, then additional water changes would remove the remainder if you prefer a salt free environment in your tank.

Chemical treatments can be removed either through water changes or by putting the carbon back in your filter after the treatment. Both methods will effectively remove the chemicals from the tank.

BTW, use salt in combination with heat to effect a faster cure. Heat the tank to 88-90 F and add the salt. There are a few strains of ich unaffected by either the salt or the heat, but they are for now very rarely encountered. There are also strains showing marked resistance to the two most common chemical treatments, Formalin and Malachite Green. Don't use both chemical and salt/heat treatment at the same time, but if one doesn't seem to be working within a few days, swap to the other. Either one will work on the vast majority of ich you will ever encounter.

MM

Answer 2

I always used the chemicals and it usually worked to clear it up, plus my fish were not all stress out. Stress on the fish will only cause them more problems. No vets don't treat fish.

Good luck. I never used salt to cure ich, I used what worked best for my fish and it was chemicals. It turns the water a slight blue tint, but it will cure ich. Just use the prescribed amount in the water, do not go over board with it. Be careful as it does stain fingers and materials/clothes if it comes into contact with it. Talk with you local fish store and see what their take is on it.

I know that I will get thumbs down from some people about the chemicals, but I've had aquariums for like 20 plus years and saved many fish with the chemicals. I didn't stress out my fish by doing so. Different strokes for different folks, not every one will be pleased with all that we do in life. These same people would probably state that antibiotics are also bad for your fish. But lets face it the chemicals were made to treat fish and help them to get better.

You can also get some good books on fish and see what they recommend to cure this and other problems that your fish will encounter.

You can go to the web site www.tropicalfish.com and read about this product and another one that I will reccomend to you. These are medications for your fish. Some people will call them chemicals but they are medications for fish. Read it on the web site and see what I mean.

For Ich--The product is called Kordon Rid Ich 16 oz. @ $10.38

Also for your fish that are stressed out you can use.

For Stress---Use this product, Stress Coat, it has aloe vera in it. It will coat the fish and protect and heal them. 4 oz @ $4.80