ick in both community and semi aggressive tanks?

Recently I bought two fish to find out 4 days later that the fish had ick and it was two late both tanks were contaminated. I am currently on day three and still losing fish. I took out my cory cats as they seemed to have bad reactions to the medication {MAricide from Mardel) (along with my shark who died). I did half dosages on both tanks do to the shark and cory cats now that they are removed/dead should I do full dossages?
I am currently on day three and still see lots of white spots which seem to keep getting worse
??????????????????????????
1. When will the spots go away?
2. What type of antibotic do I follow up with after the ICK treatment
3. Was it a bad idea to remove the cory cats and put them into a 10 gallon tank or should I have left them
4. Should I add my Plecos (clown) to the other tank without medication?

Please help I have already lost 6 fish and tons of babies in my 55 gallon community tank
In my semi aggressive 30 gallon tank I have lost an expensive catfish and a shark
both tanks are beginning to look extremely empty


30 gallon what is left
4 tiger barbs
1 pleco

55 gallon
5 fancy guppies
2 platys
some babies
1 clown pleco
(two frogs and two cory cats which are currently in the 10 gallon.)

Thanks

2008-09-05T12:01:24Z

I did add salt to equal about 2.5 tbs to 5 gallons.
The temp is 82/83
The lights have been on is that bad? will turn off now
Are plecos scaleless? I do not know the semi agressive pleco shows signs of ICK and he was $20 so I would like to treat him well and base my dosage on him
Is the clown pleco scaleless I honestly can not tell

2008-09-05T12:06:26Z

normally I have 1 tbs to 5 gallons but a couple of ick websites said 2-3 so I increased it when I added the meds

the6thnightmare2008-09-05T11:56:38Z

Favorite Answer

Yes, as long as you don't have any scaleless fish in your tanks now, up your dosage to a full dosage. Also be sure you have removed the activated carbon from your tanks filters. This is a must, as the carbon, if left in, will remove the medication. Second keep your lights off for a few days. Also raise your tanks temperatures to the mid 80s (do this gradually so as not to shock your fish). This will speed up the life cycle of the Ick, and prevent them from reproducing anymore. Also you can add some salt to the tank. Not a lot because you don't want to give your fish another reason to die. Just enough for medical purposes. The side of the salt carton will give you the dosing recommendations for medical uses.

After a few days of treatment do a 40 - 50% water change. If it doesn't look any better start a whole new dosing regiment for the next few days.

EDIT: I would raise your temperature to around 86 - 87 F. Add an air stone to your tank to keep it oxygenated. Do the increase gradually, about 1 degree per hour. I know it sounds harsh, but it really does help, and if you increase the temp gradually, will be less harmful to your fish than an Ick breakout.

Plecs are not scaleless so you should be fine. They are very tough fish for the most part.

Good luck.

ladiebug982008-09-05T12:01:52Z

i agree the first post , also the salt recommendation should be 1 teaspoon per 10 gallons.