Dianne,
There's absolutely NO reason to use any type of medication when treating
ick, when you have the temperature at least at 86o. This is the purpose of
using heat (rather than using a medication). Above 86 o, Ick can no longer
reproduce, so as it's life cycle completes -- in 48 hours at 86 o, there
should be no future Ick cysts after a while and no future hatching of Ick from
cysts that would otherwise be lying in the substrate ready to infect fish.
The heat method of treating against Ick is more effective when combined
with some salt. Just as Clown Loaches don't tolerate many medications
(especially dye medications) well, they also don't appreciate much salt, but will
still do fine with a token amount of salt added to the water at a rate of 1
Tablespoon per 5 gallons. This token amount of salt makes life difficult for
any Ick still in the water column and at the same time induces fish to
secrete a somewhat heavier mucus coating making it difficult for any new or
present Ick trophonts to grab a foothold onto the fishes' skin.
Clown Loaches will tolerate a temperature up to at least 92 o F, with the
benefit of aeration, with no adverse effect. As long as you follow what your
doing now, and add some salt, these fish should have no problem reviving
from Ick. After you see no more signs of Ick on these fish, wait at least
another 48 hours (preferably more) -- the time it takes for Ick to complete its
cycle -- before lowering the temperature, and then, lower it slowly. Keep
us posted. This whole treatment can take up to 10 days, but may be less
(and rarely any longer).
Ray </HTML>
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