Will Bare Bottoming A Tank Help Curb Ich

Captain Bucket · #1 10/31/2007, 05:14 PM

Have had a recurring ich problem in my 125 gal FOWLR despite fallowing for 6 weeks, cupramine treatments (in excess of one month), and religiously treating and quarantining new livestock before introduction.

I use ocean water, but I pass it through a micron filter before introduction to system.

Have a 2'" substrate of fine native beachsand (crushed shells) for aesthetics.

Since ich settles in the substrate as part of its life-cycle, would going bare-bottom help my predicament?

szwab · #2 10/31/2007, 09:09 PM

IMO it would not make a significant difference as long as fish (hosts) are present.

Redfish · #3 10/31/2007, 09:56 PM

From personal experience, NO, it does not make any difference.

kevin2000 · #4 11/01/2007, 10:14 AM

The tomont stage of ich will stick to just about any surface - including tank walls, snails etc - as such, substrate vs BB doesn't really help.

Captain Bucket · #5 11/01/2007, 04:55 PM

Okay, thanks everyone... On to plan B.

Status of system as of now. Water parameters are excellent, livestock consists of...

1 Imperator Angel changing to adult coloration.
1 Bicolor Angel
1 Heniochus
1 Royal Gramma
1 Percula
1 Crab Goby

Only Imperator has spots, but I can tell the others are bugged.

Started cupramine treatment in DT.

I tried hypo about a year ago and wiped out my livestock (except for the percula). Anybody have any ideas other than hypo?