Another lesson learned for this newbie!

**dlee** · 03-11-2012, 08:58 PM

The first group of fish I bought back in October from Wal-Mart went straight into my newly cycled tank. No problems. Happy and healthy to this day. Second group, same thing. Third time, same same. Fourth time? I now have a 46 gallon tank with ICH!!!!!

I am currently in day 4 of treating with Kordon Rid Ich Plus. I cringe every evening when I pour the stuff in that tank with those poor fish in it and think "I am sorry you guys! This could have been completely avoided!!" Never, never again will I add new fish as soon as they come home! I now have a 5 gallon quarantine tank and EVERY fish will spend some time in the local Fishy Motel before going to their new home!

My poor GBR is getting the worst of it. The rest of the fish have zero spots today, but the GRB still has several. I did turn up the heat to 83 and have been vacuuming every evening before adding the new dose of meds, per the instructions.

This SUCKS! Just when we were finally at the stage of weekly to bi-weekly PWC, sit back, relax, and enjoy watching after finishing up a mini-cycle...........I am again doing nightly PWC/vacuming and stressed over the tank!

Another lesson learned the hard way!

Here is a link to some pictures I took today of my fish and tanks: (You can see some of the Ich on the GBR)

http://www.webcitylane.com/fish

**kurly** · 03-11-2012, 09:09 PM

Tough lesson to learn but at least you now understand the importance of a QT.

A QT is one of the best investments I have in this hobby besides my Python Water Changer.

Hope your Ram gets better and this will all be over for you and your fish real soon!

**PhillipOrigami** · 03-11-2012, 09:12 PM

I would never trust a shop like Wal-Mart.
I would try to find an LFS(local fish shop/store) near you.
If you can't do that, petsmart/petco is probably better than Wal-Mart as they are dedicated(hardly) to pets(more like money). Anyway, I have seen HORRENDOUS pet places, and really nice ones.
Either way, glad you have a Q-tank. :3

**dlee** · 03-11-2012, 09:15 PM

Oh, I should have clarified.....the first two purchases of fish were from our Wal-Mart and all were and still are healthy. The third purchase was from our very small local pet shop...all healthy. This last purchase was from PetSmart (45 minutes away) and that is where the Ich came from!

our Wal-Mart does really well with their tanks and fish

**PhillipOrigami** · 03-12-2012, 02:17 AM

our Wal-Mart does really well with their tanks and fish

Impossible!
Wow.
Good luck!

**Old Marine** · 03-12-2012, 02:45 AM

Hate to hear about your misfortune, but as you said lesson learned.

**homemadepopcorn** · 03-12-2012, 02:57 AM

Good luck with the Ich, QT is seriously the way to go.... you might want to have yours bare bottom though... most QT's are.

**Zanethan** · 03-12-2012, 09:47 PM

I didn't think walmart even sold fish anymore!

**dlee** · 03-15-2012, 01:37 AM

Today is day 7 of treating with Rid Ich Plus, and the first day that there are no spots on any fish. Finally feel like we are getting somewhere.

Today we also had our first casualty. One of the Neon Tetras

A couple other of the Neons are not looking like they will make it much longer either. And my Dwarf Gourami hasn't eaten for two days. I HATE pouring that poison in there every night! I do a 25% water change each night before I add it per the instructions, but I still hate putting more in there.

I ordered a bottle of 100% Organic Kordon Ich Attack in case I ever have to treat again. I just feel it will be less stressful on the fish, so worth a try.

Would I be able to use this to finish up this round of treatment with? It is being delivered tomorrow. I realize I need to keep treating for 3-7 days to kill any new free floaters, but could I switch to this milder (on the fish) medication when it comes tomorrow? I want to do whatever I can to prevent anymore deaths while finishing up treatment!

**Lady Hobbs** · 03-15-2012, 01:45 AM

Have you added an airstone? That may help but unfortunately some fish just can't handle the medications and tetra's generally need half doses. Only problem is you wonder if the half doses are sufficient. Ick is some tough parasites. They reproduce every 4-5 days so you really should wait at least 10 days before you feel you're in the clear.

I would probably switch to salt once the days of medicating are over. It might not be so hard on them. 1 T per 5 gallons. You can divide it into two doses during the first day if you don't want to add it all at once. How long does it say to medicate? 5 days?