[leebca]

Ntruder,

The proper approach to the hobby is to quarantine marine life before adding to the main system. I will say for the time being that this is the 'right way.'

When the right way isn't followed and the marine system is infected, there is no easy fix. If there was an easy fix or solution, the 'right way' wouldn't be necessary.

Fish do not have to come out and be treated together or separately for a specific disease. This is a hospital tank situation, rather than a regular quarantine. The space for this confinement of about 8 weeks can be reduced to a point.

Multiple smaller hospital tanks is one option and it isn't unreasonable considering the right way wasn't followed from the start. An inexpensive setup can cost under $50 as a Wal-Mart or K Mart special. After their use, they make good birthday, Christmas, and special occasion gifts.

The advantage to the above is that it should only be done once and the, following the right way, shouldn't be necessary again.

Fish can develop an immunity to these parasites. The immunity doesn't last and as the Marine Ich strain weakens the fish can 'live with it.' It is like having your grandmother live with the flu and hope it doesn't go into pneumonia. The person and the fish is sick. I for one do not get into the hobby to hope my fish survive, but instead see to it that they aren't sick and don't need to develop immunity to live in my home. Others may just sit and hope for the best and they will have mixed results (one or two fish losses) or no losses. But what they don't realize is that the lifespan of the fish can be shortened going through these outbreaks, not to mention they being sick on and off.

It depends much on the kind of hobbyist you want to be. I can provide information for the right way but the application is up to every individual within their own character and resources.

To hobbyists like Woodstock, I applaud their efforts to follow a right way forward for the sake of the livestock. It is not an easy decision but seems to be in the best interest of the livestock.