Ich Massacre!!!

Well, I just had an ich massacre. I'm pretty sure it came from the last batch of clown loaches I bought. I know clown loaches are notorious for getting ich, and sure enough, it happened. I lost tons of fish. To name the ones I can remember, all clown loaches, for a total of seven. Three of which I've had for almost 4 years. All 7 of my Bleeding Heart Tetras whom I've also had for about four years. All but one, which makes it about 6 Rummy Nose Tetras. My Puffer. All four Bala Sharks. A few other tetra types that I did not list previously. In all, it'll probably be about 30 fish that I'll have lost when its all said and done.

I didn't want to use chemicals to treat the tank and my delay and treating might have made it worse than it could have been. I chose to use a combination of heat and salt to rid the ich. Ich stops infecting at 84 degrees, stops reproducing at 85 degrees and dies at 86.5 degrees. I didn't have a big enough heater because my big one broke during the transport of my original 100 gallon tank. So I had to buy a new one. Unfortunately, the new one I got is only good enough for a 75 gallon tank. I also had my smaller heater in there that I used to use for my 20 gallon tank. Together they were able to bring the temperature up to 84-85 degrees depending on the time of day.

I also added aquarium salt at a rate of 5 rounded tablespoons per 20 gallons of water. This is supposed to cause the ich to burst and also help soothe the fish.

The good news is I think I have it under control. No new spots are seen and the remaining fish look healthy and are eating voraciously. I did set up a one gallon tank as a quarantine tank but I'm not sure if I'll use it. I don't have a small enough heater to keep the temperature elevated.

Against better judgment, I decided to restock with a few fish. I got 2 white tinfoil barbs. I'm not sure of the exact variety name but they are tinfoil barbs but look like they are albino.

I also got 2 pictus catfish and drumroll please...4 more clown loaches. I know, I know, I'm asking for trouble. I think if I keep the temperature up for about two weeks I should be ok.

I'll try and post some new pictures as i get them.