Removing salt after Ick treatment

[CliffH]

I'd bought some Tetras from a chain pet store about a month ago; they were on sale for $1 each. Should have had a clue when the sales-gal said the fish had just come in....

Anyway, it turned out the were carrying the Ick parasite. I raised the temp to 86* and added 2 tablespoons for salt per gallon. All the fish were OK with the 14 day treatment, but the snail didn't like the salt.

I've got a 29 gallon tank with approx. 27 gallons of water in it. Since ending the treatment I've changed out 5 gallons of water per day for the last 5 days.

We're heading into town Friday and would like to purchase another snail. My question is, do y'all think I've diluted the salt enough for a snail to be happy or do I need to change more water first?

[daimen123]

I think that is a definite yes you have changed out 25 gallons from a 27 gallon tank It is well and truly diluted.

[Lady Hobbs]

I would have just done a large water change of 50% and a day later another.

But in the future if you get ick again, the recommended dosage for salt is 1 T per 5 gallons of water. 2 T. of salt per 1 gallon of water is nothing I have ever seen recommended.

[CliffH]

But in the future if you get ick again, the recommended dosage for salt is 1 T per 5 gallons of water. 2 T. of salt per 1 gallon of water is nothing I have ever seen recommended.

From: AC Tropical Fish ( http://www.aquaticcommunity.com ) William Berg's Tropical Fish A Beginners Guide

Page 81:

"One of the effective ways to treat it is by adding salt to the water. The salt should be added gradually, slowly building up to 5-8 tsp per gallon / 4L."

3 teaspoon = 1 tablespoon
5 teaspoon = 1 2/3 tablespoon
8 teaspoon = 2 2/3 tablespoon

2 Tablespoons (6 teaspoons) per gallon is just above the lower limit of the recommended range.

Guess I'll do another, large, water change and hope for the best.

[homemadepopcorn]

Assume 27 gallons

First water change: 21.6 gallons of original salty water remains
Second: 17.28 gallons
Third: 13.82 gallons
Fourth: 11.05 gallons
Fifth: ~8.84 gallons

If I did this correctly (anyone care to check?) there should still be 17.68 tablespoons of salt in the tank. Diluted over 27 gallons 0.655 tbsp per gallon in the current tank.

[fishmommie]

Assume 27 gallons

First water change: 21.6 gallons of original salty water remains
Second: 17.28 gallons
Third: 13.82 gallons
Fourth: 11.05 gallons
Fifth: ~8.84 gallons

If I did this correctly (anyone care to check?) there should still be 17.68 tablespoons of salt in the tank. Diluted over 27 gallons 0.655 tbsp per gallon in the current tank.

I'll trust your math Popcorn :o).

I would do 2 more large water changes of 50% each 2 days apart before I'd add any snails back in. that's basically what I did after I treated my tank with salt. Then I added my snails back to the tank and they are doing great!

[CliffH]

Assume 27 gallons

First water change: 21.6 gallons of original salty water remains
Second: 17.28 gallons
Third: 13.82 gallons
Fourth: 11.05 gallons
Fifth: ~8.84 gallons

If I did this correctly (anyone care to check?) there should still be 17.68 tablespoons of salt in the tank. Diluted over 27 gallons 0.655 tbsp per gallon in the current tank.

Thank you for performing the math. I couldn't determine the correct method to use; I'll add your method to my notes, just in case the little vermin decide to put on an appearance in the future.

Since there's still a bit of salt left in there I'll do as fishmommie suggested. Already changed out ~10 gallons this evening, so long about Saturday I'll do a 50% change, followed by another on Monday.

A bit of thread veer: Will snails act as an Ick carrier? There aren't many choices of stores around here; it's possible the next snail may have been kept in a tank where it's present.