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My 10 gal freshwater tank has been infected with ich. I am treating the tank, but still my fish are dying. If I were to just clean it out and start over with fresh water, new substrate, and a clean tank, would that get rid of the ich? Can I clean it with a chemical when it is empty to totally kill the ich? How do I get rid of the Ich!?!

My 10 gal freshwater tank has been infected with ich. I am treating the tank, but still my fish are dying. If I were to just clean it out and start over with fresh water, new substrate, and a clean tank, would that get rid of the ich? Can I clean it with a chemical when it is empty to totally kill the ich? How do I get rid of the Ich!?!

Updated On January 31st, 2019

Pet's info: Fish | Tropical Fish

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

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First, perform a partial water change, vacuum gravel thoroughly and wipe down any tank furniture. This is critical because clean water is the cornerstone for treatment and recovery. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Next, you can use any one of the commercial ich medications, such as Ich Guard (Tetra), Super Ick Cure (API) or Rid Ich Plus (Kordon). These can be found in the Aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully. This method will typically work with most fish. Another option would be to use plain aquarium salt ( NOT table or Epsom salt). Dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. At the same time, gradually increase the water temp to about 86 F. Hold it there for 14 days. The warm temps will speed up the life cycle of the parasite and the salt will kill it. Afterwards, gradually reduce water temp and perform another partial water change. You can break down the tank, but you would need to cycle the tank all over again. This can take weeks. To prevent infection, purchase only healthy fish. ideally, they should be quarantines in a separate tank for at least 2 weeks before being added to the main tank. Keep the tank clean, monitor chemistry and perform regular water changes.

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