by Fuzzy on Wed Nov 16, 2005 3:58 pm
The trouble with treating for Ich due to the life cycle of the parsite.
Ich can only be killed in one of its three life cycle stadges.
The reason for treating for a pre set time, is to allow the meds to be present during the part of the Ich's lifecycle where the meds can kill it. Since Ich's life cycle is also somewhat based on the water temp ( the higher the water temp,the quicker the Parsite goes through its cycle), that is why most products call for the tank temp to be raised. So if you use a medicine, and do not raise the tank temp to the required value, but only treat the tank for the lenght of time listed on the product directions, then you will not kill off all the Ich, and the out break will quickly re ocur.
In my experence the best treatment for ich, is to raise the tank temp to 86 degrees F, add salt, at a ratio of 1 TBL spoon for 10 gallons, at this temp and with the salt level, the parasite cannot live, and dies off. Keep in mind not all fish can live at this tank temp, or salt level either.