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I have been informed of a treatment of killing Ick by leaving the tank in total darkness. Does anyone have any experiences with this or advice? I was told to cover the tank with black plastic or a blanket for 24-48 hours with absolutely NO light entering the tank. Then remove the cover & after 5 days repeat process.
I am starting this tonight.I raised the temp. to 80,fed them & placed automatic feeders in tank. I also have removed the carbon. My 72 gal is about 1 yr old with no problems,then the today one of my rainbowfish had two white spots on it but all the other fish are FINE!
I have had my run ins with Ick with my other tanks but I have lost more than a few catfish & Plecos & would like to try this for a more gentle approach. I also added less than half a dose of QUICK CURE-Just in case... It might sound silly but I am worried about sufficating them with a blanket over them... Any advice would be appreciated.

i have never heard of this.

The only thing i can think of is the no light makes the stress on your fish much less, thus making their immune systems stronger (maby) so they can fight it off faster.

i don't see how that will work since ick will still infect your fish whether or not you have the lights on. there are several ways to get rid of the ick parasite, but i've never heard anyone mention turning off the lights as the only method for cure. sometimes you turn off the lights to prevent the meds from getting deteriorated by light, but i always thought that was for antibiotics only

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"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

Just another silly rumor with the ich parasites rolling on the substrate with laughter...

Raise the temp to 86 degrees, dose the med and wait a week for the complete kill of the parasites.

--garyroland.

That is what I thought also but worth a try...
I am going to still add the meds also until every bit is gone. I am just so worried about my albino catfish,Plecos,and irr. Sharks. The meds-(Quick Cure)seem to be so hard on them that I always lose one or two during treatments EVEN with half OR less than half doses.
I also have a med called NOX-ICH but has sodium in it & was SO hard on my scaleless last time in another tank that I am not trying it again. I believe it was the sodium that they really could not accept. Anyone know an EFFECTIVE med to kill ICH that is safe for scaleless fish. Your advice is appreciated!

We have meds that have been tested and used that are effective...

"Ich Guard II" and "Rid Ich Plus" are mild ich treatments that are especially kind to scaleless fish. They're well-known in the hobby.

Darkening/covering a tank is a dangerous maneuver causing an oxygen deficiency at the surface that could kill all your trops.

Do so at your own risk.

--garyroland.

I have removed the cover. My largest red-tailed BArbs were acting strange but as I did a partial water change they are fine. There was one spot on each side of one of my rainbow fish but now it is gone. I believe I'll continue with the treatment & hope it does not return. Thanks for your help...

You're welcome...

Consider purchasing the meds I mentioned for the next outbreak.

--garyroland.

gary...
Just an update. My tank is doing fine & still no other signs of ICK but still treating... I have a question about the Boes. Rainbow with the ICK. The largest white spot of the two is still present. I personally think it looks like Fungus but seems to be looking lighter or going away. Do u think I should treat for body fungus? If so how long should I wait to see if spot goes away,in case it is ICK.

Actually, the ich parasite does not kill trops but the damage left by the burrowing parasites starts to fungus, spreads all over the fish, and death soon arrives.

The "spot" you're observing right now is indeed the result of one of the empty burrowing holes that has fungused.

Observe for now, but if the area shows any sign of spreading, a product called "ParaGuard" can be dosed after a 35% water change takes place.

--garyroland.

I have never used this product. Can u tell me how I should use it,tips,etc? Is it safe for All fish, such as scaleless? I have a 72 Gl & was wondering if I treated it for fungus would it be alright to remove about 35% of the water in order to use less treatment? One more question...
Will my other fish be able to contract this FUNGUS? Thanks SOOOOO much. I'm glad someone around here knows whats going on!

ParaGuard has been used by dealers for hospital tanks and for receiving new fish, so it should be a safe med...

Directions are on the product.

Water levels remain the same in your tank. The 35% water change is to dilute any meds that may remain in your tank from previous dosing.

Your other trops, especially healthy ones, don't have much of a chance of contracting fungus unless open sores become available and sometimes not even then.

In well kept tanks, fungus rarely becomes a factor on its own but ich can if temps are too low or change rapidly.

--garyroland.

I am going to the store tomorrow but I was checking my fish supplies & I have a new Antibiotic that I had previously used for mouth fungus in another tank-Maracyn Plus, Do u know if this would treat body fungus also?
The fungus doesn't seem too bad but I do have alittle experience w/ fungus & it spreads SUPER quick!
Thanks again!!

Maracyn and Maracyn Plus are both treatments for body fungus among other diseases...

However, because they both have the ability to kill the good bacteria in tank water and upset the biological filter because they're antibiotics, I try to suggest other meds first.

I would suggest for a very minor body area, those meds not be used.

--garyroland.

Thanks. I just got the meds u recommended. Lets keep our fingers crossed!!