Can I use copper sulfate AND aquarium salt together to treat ich?
Hello to all…first, here are the details on my tank…
- 29 gallon freshwater
- 2 medium-sized angels, 3 hatchets, and 7 small fish (danios and tetras)
- Water quality test results:
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0.5 ppm
pH: 7.2
My fish have ich, and I have started medicating with CopperSafe by Mardel. The active ingredient is chelated copper sulfate. I decided to go with this particular medication because it is non-staining, and it supposedly remains in the water for a month…and whenever you do a water change, you just make sure to add the medication again according to how much water you took out. I really hope this product works. This is the first time I am dealing with this nasty parasite. I’ve done all the research and know all about the ich “cycle”…how you cannot treat it while it’s still attached to the fish, and how the only time the ich will be susceptible to the medication is during the free-swimming stage. Anyways, I have also read about the treatment method using aquarium salt, and how it is just as effective as using a medication. So….I do have aquarium salt, and was wondering if I could use both the copper sulfate medication AND the salt together??? I have tried searching the internet and found nothing on using both. I really just hate to have my fish suffer, and want to get rid of this parasite for good!!!
Thanks in advance to anyone that responds….much appreciated :0)
Personally, I wouldn’t use the salt at all. Since you are already using the meds, keep using them, but raise your temperature to about 82 degrees for a couple of weeks. The ich cannot survive these temps, but your fish will be fine for this short period of time.
Good luck!
raising the temp and using aquarium salt is the most trusted and safest method.
Copper sulphate IS a salt haha.
But I’d just go with the aquarium salt+raised temp myself
It’s completely safe for the fish and isn’t harsh on them like meds.
raising the temp quickens the life cycle of ich, so it grows and dies faster. Ich hates salt and won’t reproduce when it’s in the water.
If you’ve already used the copper, just stick with it and raise the temp. Make sure you’re really oxygenated tho!!