Let's talk about marine Ich for a moment.
Most (uninformed - ) hobbyists who believe that their marine fish have Ich ask about a way to treat it in the main tank. Most of the answers they receive is that the best and most effective way (some would say 'the only way') to get rid of Ich is to move all fish to a hospital tank and treat with copper or hypo.
This is true.
This post, however, is about a combination treatment that can be applied to the main display (reef - ) tank, and is rather effective in *managing* the infection. By that I mean, giving the fish enough time to handle a moderate infection so that they will likely develop immunity. If successful, the hobbyist can expect that Ich will still stay in the system, but will not be visible and fish will not succumb to it.
I am posting this because I have not seen others discuss this combination treatment here or on other forums, though of course I might have just missed it.
Briefly: Use Herbtana as directed for 4 weeks, and combine with feeding with Metroplex (and Focus).
At more length: Herbtana does not kill Ich. It makes it a bit more difficult for Ich to attach to fish. Treated alone it's (nearly) useless because it does not stop the infection and cannot stop the cycle.
Metroplex seems to be an effective drug in lab, but it is challenging to ensure that fish receive a full dosage each time. As a result, treated fish typically get somewhat better, but do not fully recover, thereby the cycle continues.
Together, these treatments compliment each other. Together, one can somewhat decrease the probability of new infection, and at the same time, kill most of Ich that managed to infect the fish.
Apply both for 4 weeks to manage the cycle.
To be clear: Hospital tank and copper (or hypo) are more effective. They are the preferred treatment choice for marine Ich. However, catching all fish is often impractical in a reef tank. The proposed combination of treatment is a reasonable alternative, with the understanding that the goal is to manage the infection, not to eradicate Ich.
At the successful conclusion of the proposed combination treatment the fish will be able to handle the parasite. Adding more fish may restart the cycle - that is a risk one takes when one chooses to manage rather than eradicate Ich. Yet, without adding fish (or introducing a major change which causes stress), low levels of Ich (invisible) can be managed for a long time.
Within 12-18 month, if no other source of Ich is added, the managed population of parasites is expected to become too inbred to survive and it may disappear entirely.
Hope this helps.
Most (uninformed - ) hobbyists who believe that their marine fish have Ich ask about a way to treat it in the main tank. Most of the answers they receive is that the best and most effective way (some would say 'the only way') to get rid of Ich is to move all fish to a hospital tank and treat with copper or hypo.
This is true.
This post, however, is about a combination treatment that can be applied to the main display (reef - ) tank, and is rather effective in *managing* the infection. By that I mean, giving the fish enough time to handle a moderate infection so that they will likely develop immunity. If successful, the hobbyist can expect that Ich will still stay in the system, but will not be visible and fish will not succumb to it.
I am posting this because I have not seen others discuss this combination treatment here or on other forums, though of course I might have just missed it.
Briefly: Use Herbtana as directed for 4 weeks, and combine with feeding with Metroplex (and Focus).
At more length: Herbtana does not kill Ich. It makes it a bit more difficult for Ich to attach to fish. Treated alone it's (nearly) useless because it does not stop the infection and cannot stop the cycle.
Metroplex seems to be an effective drug in lab, but it is challenging to ensure that fish receive a full dosage each time. As a result, treated fish typically get somewhat better, but do not fully recover, thereby the cycle continues.
Together, these treatments compliment each other. Together, one can somewhat decrease the probability of new infection, and at the same time, kill most of Ich that managed to infect the fish.
Apply both for 4 weeks to manage the cycle.
To be clear: Hospital tank and copper (or hypo) are more effective. They are the preferred treatment choice for marine Ich. However, catching all fish is often impractical in a reef tank. The proposed combination of treatment is a reasonable alternative, with the understanding that the goal is to manage the infection, not to eradicate Ich.
At the successful conclusion of the proposed combination treatment the fish will be able to handle the parasite. Adding more fish may restart the cycle - that is a risk one takes when one chooses to manage rather than eradicate Ich. Yet, without adding fish (or introducing a major change which causes stress), low levels of Ich (invisible) can be managed for a long time.
Within 12-18 month, if no other source of Ich is added, the managed population of parasites is expected to become too inbred to survive and it may disappear entirely.
Hope this helps.