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check the label before using. usually it's a good idea to quarantine the fish before dosing meds, but if you have to dose the "real" tank make sure the label doesn't say anything about harming plants.

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

Ich needs to be treated in the tank that is sick, because that's where the parasite is (remember that it's only after ich has fallen off that it's treatable).
Some meds are, I know for a fact that maracide which is what I've always used for ich clearly states that it's plant safe.

^_^
*Proud member of the Committee for Sig Line Restoration*

Interestingly, I've had just the opposite results with MaraCide.
I hold the belief that no medication is plant safe. Those that are listed 'plant safe' by the manufacturer are probably less toxic than those that aren't labeled as such. This is my opinion and take it for nothing more than that.
On the other hand, (again, my opinion) planted tanks are great for fish. They feel less stressed in a natural environment and the plants do contribute somewhat to the quality of water. When I first started in this hobby, I (the fish, not me per se) was hit with bouts of ich on almost a monthly basis. But since the time where my planted tanks became established, I've not had any diseases, ich or whatnot, at all. And that's all without using ANY kind of medication - preventative or otherwise. It's been several years now and I fully support the concept of the planted tank.
-Wayne

It might not be the meds themselves, but a combo of facters. Alot of times we treat by also turning off the lights (reduce stress) increasing surface agitation (reduces co2) and by following up treatment with water changes and a round of carbon thru the filter (which will remove nutrients needed for the plants).
*shrug* just a theory.....the only plants I had in the tank @the tme were java fern....so I suppose they aren't the best judge of plant safeness of maracide...they did seem a little upsed @the ordeal, but ended up coming back.

^_^
*Proud member of the Committee for Sig Line Restoration*

my plants survived a STRONG dose of malachite green for ick, but that's not to say that plants are ok with it. just check the label, and if you're not sure, either move the fish or the plants before treating.

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

Hi,
THE component in the Ich medications is Copper (cu).
A high concentration of copper in the tank can,
over time, kill or weaken the plants. Some are more
sensitive to copper than others.

The critter Ich, is sensitive to Cu which acts as
a poison. The critter is only vunerable during a
part of its life cycle. So you are instructed to
increase the temperature, and dose at a specific
level so that you kill off all the critters including
those in the egg stage when you notice the outbreak.

That being said, the length of time that the tank
is medicated, and the dosage so small, that
practically speaking, I doubt that any serious problems
will arise IF you dose according to the label.

Do remember, that if you have a 20 gallon tank, with
2-3 inches of substrate, rocks, and/or other ornaments,
you do not have 20 gallons of water. So you would not
dose for a full 20 gallons. If you do, then you are
over dosing and could have troubles.

The combination of overdosing, or dosing for too long
a period of time (more than recommended) and the high
temperatures, can damage or kill your plants.

All in all, just follow the label.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I've used aquari-sol to treat ich, didn't harm my plants at all.
I've also heard nox-ich can be used, active ingredient being malachite green, no personal experience with it though.

Hi,
Malachite is a bright green mineral that is copper ore,
(Cu2CO3(OH)2). Malachite Green, is a medication tinted
green that contains Copper as its active ingredient, and
is the same color as the copper ore.
Copper is extremely toxic to the Ich parasite especially
in its free swimming stage.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--