Prophylactic Treatment of Ick

[woltersb]

Hello, I had a outbreak of ICK about a month ago. Lost two damsel to it but some how my two tangs recovered with no problems. I used this garlic drops that a friend gave me, and it worked wonders. I was wondering to keep this from happening again could i dose a small amount of either the garlic or like stress zyme marine? Also I thought about a UV sterilizer. I believe I caused it by moving my tank and upgrading to a 75g tank from a 30g. Give me some advice! 

[micki]

I'm a believer in both Garlic and UV. 

[woltersb]

So you dose the garlic all the time, or just when you see problems. Also where do you get the garlic? Like I said my friend just squirted some of his stuff in there.

[HUNGER]

i soke there food in garlic every time i feed

[micki]

I don't dose garlic all the time.  In the past when I made my food I always added garlic.  I just dose when I think of it now.  I also used to soad nori in garlic.  I really need to make some home made food again.  That takes care of lots of things.  I use Garlic Guard now but I've used any kind of garlic before.  

[woltersb]

Do you buy the garlic from the LFS or is it like garlic extract from the grocery?

[micki]

I've done both (only use the juice from the grocery garlic) but I prefer the LFS garlic.

[woltersb]

The grocery sells liquid garlic?

[Reefd Up]

I make my own homemade food, and I add garlic to it.  *Knock on wood* I have never had an outbreak of marine ich.  I don't know if it's just great LFS that sell healthy fish, good luck, good QT, or what, but I've never had problems with fish before.  Thought I had it for a day, but it was gone that night, and so I have no idea what it was.

[woltersb]

I have been feeding the frozen food I buy from Justin that the fish love! So should I just chop up garlic and toss in it? or what about garlic powder?

[Reefd Up]

Be careful about chopping up garlic as the actual pieces of garlic can give the fish digestive system problems.  I avoid feeding marine fish anything not found naturally in the water (as far as big pieces), but will add garlic oil/juice/whatever you want to call it.  However, I do feed frozen peas occasionally as it can help with digestive problems...so go figure. 

Anyway, I'd look for garlic extract or whatever they want to call it from the grocery store.  You can then soak the food in it before you feed the food.

What frozen food are you feeding?

[woltersb]

Im at work (working hard) so dont know brand but its what justin sells... one is squid, one is mesis (spelling) and brine

[Aquatic Specialists]

The food brand is Hikari. I have always dosed garlic in the tank if there were visible signs of ich, but it is also great for appetite stimulation. I always soak my food in it, along with vitamins and a growth stimulator which mainly consists of fatty acids and fish oils. This also promotes the healing of lost tissue and boosts the immune system.

[GreatWyte]

I'm gettin in late on this thread, but I too put a couple drops of garlic extract on the food each time. I use Garlic Power by brightwell aquatics. Another popular / common one is Garlic Xtreme by Kent.

[lazylivin]

When the garlic thing came on the scene a few years back I read a thread that it was just a bunch of marketing nonsense so never gave it another look. Obviously there is something to with it with so many folks with great response.

It does kind of make me wonder who thought of adding garlic to there fish tank. Do you think there was first some science to it or just some hobbyist decided to add some one day and nothing died so it must be good. It always reminded me of the traveling salesman of the 30's with there magic elixirs. I see garlic these days in so many products from food to water treatment to medicines. Does anyone know of any experiments that were done to validate that it is not just snake oil?

[Reefd Up]

Here's a very interesting article on possible treatments of Ich.  Brian, it somewhat supports your theory of "snake oil", but there does seem to be some evidence for light cases of marine ich and especially other types of parasites.  

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2004/mini4.htm

Here's another...ahhh...so much to read...so much housework that needs to be done!

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/sp/index.php

[lazylivin]

Those are good finds. Looks like the jury is still out and the professionals aren't buying it. Does seem though that plenty of people here have had good results. Even if perceived or real there are just to many responses to ignore that there may be something real to garlic. At least in regard to encouraging fish to eat which in turn can promote a better immune system. I like garlic and so I can relate to my fish liking the taste. However I wouldn't be surprised if MSG gave same results. 

[cyberwollf]

I like garlic and so I can relate to my fish liking the taste.

Ohh man dont get me started !!  I actually have a garlic intake that is limted by the wife 

[Learning_The_Hard_Way]

Nothing like the garlic intake from the house salad at Domonics!  I miss that place.

I have a 72 Gal and have a new tang and guess what 2 days in the white spots of ich.  I have the Kent Garlic Extreme.  How much to dose IYO?

[cyberwollf]

I just soak the food in it, I dont actually dose the tank with it.