Killing ich in rock/sand without wiping out the bacteria possible?

fishykid9212 · 11/09/2018, 09:08 PM

I am going to do this the right way and quarantine all of my fish but was wondering if there is a way to kill all the ich in the rock/sand without doing the 76 day fallow period.

I've heard heat at 104 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour will eradicate all ich and I assume this won't kill all of the bacteria? Either way I would have the quarantine period to get the bacteria to come back in the rock as long as there is some left.

I am trying to do this so I will have enough (ich free) bacteria to add back to the tank without doing a 76 day fallow period as well as avoid another long cycle.

Even if I bleached or boiled everything I still would need some starter bacteria either from store bought rock or bottle bacteria and who knows if it contains ich....

Any ideas or advice? Thanks ahead of time

scuzy · 11/10/2018, 12:17 AM

Well it's not possible what wiped the pathogen will wipe the bacteria.

Don't boil thinks just bleach. Dust from scratch and just add bottle bacteria. When you are ready to add micro fauna quarantine a few life rocks for 72 days and you are ready to go.

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Uncle99 · 11/10/2018, 06:34 AM

The 72 day fallow period is the tried and true method for Ick eradication.
Following this method leads to success most always if done correctly.
It would only take one parasite to survive to start the multiplication cycle.

The method calls for walking the line between what heat the parasite can live in versus the bacteria and while it might take out a percentage, are you willing to gamble?

I sure people have many short cuts and maybe some have worked, but likely not.

The start from scratch method as outlined above works, maybe depends on what's in the DT, in my case I would have to move corals and this would make them very happy.

AboutToBeReefin · 11/11/2018, 10:04 AM

how old is your tank? if its relatively established I would highly reccomend just going fallow so you dont have to start over and lose progress. Its more than just bacteria to consider. older tanks have an established bio film. They can go a little higher on nutrients without nusciance algae completely overrunning like in a younger tank. the coraline helps claim your rock space as its turf as well as your corals making it harder for algae to get a foothold. in new tanks there is always a very unstable rise and fall of micro empires of good and bad things going on and a war for nutrients. if your tank is even several months old i would hold it steady and go fallow now rather than hitting the reset button and going through new tank growing pains and instability

Dmorty217 · 11/12/2018, 08:03 AM

chloroquine phosphate will kill off the ich and not hurt the beneficial bacteria..

dkevink · 11/13/2018, 12:22 PM

I agree with no fish, instead of starting over.

Sk8r · 11/13/2018, 12:27 PM

Best way: you can have all the corals you like. You can have inverts. But if you put fish in, you have it all to do over. ANd over. So do what you can do to improve and prettify your tank, but no fish.

11/09/2018, 09:08 PM	#1
fishykid9212 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Southern NH Posts: 1,470	Killing ich in rock/sand without wiping out the bacteria possible? I am going to do this the right way and quarantine all of my fish but was wondering if there is a way to kill all the ich in the rock/sand without doing the 76 day fallow period. I've heard heat at 104 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour will eradicate all ich and I assume this won't kill all of the bacteria? Either way I would have the quarantine period to get the bacteria to come back in the rock as long as there is some left. I am trying to do this so I will have enough (ich free) bacteria to add back to the tank without doing a 76 day fallow period as well as avoid another long cycle. Even if I bleached or boiled everything I still would need some starter bacteria either from store bought rock or bottle bacteria and who knows if it contains ich.... Any ideas or advice? Thanks ahead of time

11/10/2018, 12:17 AM	#2
scuzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6,499	Killing ich in rock/sand without wiping out the bacteria possible? Well it's not possible what wiped the pathogen will wipe the bacteria. Don't boil thinks just bleach. Dust from scratch and just add bottle bacteria. When you are ready to add micro fauna quarantine a few life rocks for 72 days and you are ready to go. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

11/12/2018, 08:03 AM	#5
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	chloroquine phosphate will kill off the ich and not hurt the beneficial bacteria.. __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

11/13/2018, 12:27 PM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Best way: you can have all the corals you like. You can have inverts. But if you put fish in, you have it all to do over. ANd over. So do what you can do to improve and prettify your tank, but no fish. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/10/2018, 06:34 AM	#3
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	The 72 day fallow period is the tried and true method for Ick eradication. Following this method leads to success most always if done correctly. It would only take one parasite to survive to start the multiplication cycle. The method calls for walking the line between what heat the parasite can live in versus the bacteria and while it might take out a percentage, are you willing to gamble? I sure people have many short cuts and maybe some have worked, but likely not. The start from scratch method as outlined above works, maybe depends on what's in the DT, in my case I would have to move corals and this would make them very happy.

11/11/2018, 10:04 AM	#4
AboutToBeReefin Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 40	how old is your tank? if its relatively established I would highly reccomend just going fallow so you dont have to start over and lose progress. Its more than just bacteria to consider. older tanks have an established bio film. They can go a little higher on nutrients without nusciance algae completely overrunning like in a younger tank. the coraline helps claim your rock space as its turf as well as your corals making it harder for algae to get a foothold. in new tanks there is always a very unstable rise and fall of micro empires of good and bad things going on and a war for nutrients. if your tank is even several months old i would hold it steady and go fallow now rather than hitting the reset button and going through new tank growing pains and instability

11/13/2018, 12:22 PM	#6
dkevink Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 51	I agree with no fish, instead of starting over.