Best ich prevention methods

[Auburn866]

While treating new fish in QT, what do you all think is the best method to prevent ich from entering the DT other than the tank transfer method? I would prefer to just observe the fish in QT for a month but I've heard some fish can carry ich into the DT without showing symptoms. I've heard that some have been treating all new fish that do not show ich symptoms with half doses of Cupramine as it is less harmful/stressful on the fish. Would this be best or would a product like Rid Ich Plus, Mardel Quick Cure, etc be better?

 

[AiKkz]

Copper power

 

[AiKkz]

My Current QT Process

UPDATE, 10/9/22: For those looking for quarantine information, our current process is kept updated on the first page of this thread (post any questions at the end of the thread). https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/current-quarantine-protocol.825055/ Thanks, Jay Hemdal I am frequently...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[EmdeReef]

You can observe, there’s a small chance your fish could be asymptomatic carriers. You could test with a black Molly which won’t have immunity to ich if you don’t mind keeping the molly.

I wouldn’t treat with subtherapeutic levels of any medication, it may suppress ich but won’t eradicate.

 

[HotRocks]

A half dose of cupramine will be your worst enemy. Either use fully therapeutic copper or none at all. Levels below therapeutic will likely end in frustration as the parasites would still cycle and be present but likely invisible.

You could add a black Molly during observation to "test" the water for parasites.

 

[AiKkz]

You can observe, there’s a small chance your fish could be asymptomatic carriers. You could test with a black Molly which won’t have immunity to ich if you don’t mind keeping the molly.

I wouldn’t treat with subtherapeutic levels of any medication, it may suppress ich but won’t eradicate.

A half dose of cupramine will be your worst enemy. Either use fully therapeutic copper or none at all. Levels below therapeutic will likely end in frustration as the parasites would still cycle and be present but likely invisible.

You could add a black Molly during observation to "test" the water for parasites.

I’ve heard of the black molly method, is it that accurate? I won’t stop using copper power because it’s a breeze and light years above cupramine. I’m just curious!

 

[HotRocks]

I’ve heard of the black molly method, is it that accurate? I won’t stop using copper power because it’s a breeze and light years above cupramine. I’m just curious!

It is fairly accurate yes. As long as you use a FW Molly and slowly convert it to SW. It will have absolutely zero resistance to SW parasites.

I wouldn't use it as a sole method personally, but using them in a observation tank (post treatment) can provide some additional assurance especially if you are treating fish like Wrasse, clowns, etc that are naturally more resistant to parasites.

 

[Auburn866]

Thank you for the replies, I’ll pickup some Copper Power!