Does ick attach to your plumbing?

[Mike7744]

I have a Fowler tank with a ick breakout.
My fish are in QT with copper. Does ick attach to the plumbing and skimmer, reactor? Tank glass and silicone. I am thinking of taking my rock out and putting it in a tote for 6 weeks. Along with the sand. Then draining the tank bleaching it and refilling it , I will have a bare tank for 6 weeks, but I will be able to have my fish in the DT. Should I run tap water through the system, will that flush out the piping and filters of stuck on ick?
Any suggestions?

 

[Sharkbait19]

It’s easiest just to fallow the tank for 60 days - no reason to reset the tank or play with piping. The ich will starve out on its own.

 

[Pickle_soup]

I have a Fowler tank with a ick breakout.
My fish are in QT with copper. Does ick attach to the plumbing and skimmer, reactor? Tank glass and silicone. I am thinking of taking my rock out and putting it in a tote for 6 weeks. Along with the sand. Then draining the tank bleaching it and refilling it , I will have a bare tank for 6 weeks, but I will be able to have my fish in the DT. Should I run tap water through the system, will that flush out the piping and filters of stuck on ick?
Any suggestions?

You don't need to do anything. Many disagree on the length of the life cycle of ich, I have read from 28 days to over 120. I went fallow for 76 days and it was all gone.

 

[MnFish1]

The usual fallow period was 76 days based on a study from the 1980-90's. Now it's felt that with a slightly higher temperature (81F) - 45 days is enough. I would not empty, clean, etc your tank - instead as others have said - keep your fish separate for 45-76 days (pick your protocol).

 

[Squidward]

I believe they can attach to any hard surface.