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[mr limpet]

I would like to add one item to the list, if I may. Keep a log of all the activities on each tank you have. A notebook is fine, an Excel spreadsheet is better. Log all test resultes, water changes, filter cleanings, meds, additions, subtractions, anything you do to the tank. This will prevent you from having to remember when you did that last water change or the dose on that antibiotic you last used. A log is a must-use tool for the serious hobbyist.

[pinkfloyd1]

The only time my fish ever got infected from ich was when i fed them a bad batch of goldfish.....i rarely feed them goldfish, now i feed them frozen shrimp and cod.

[SteveL91]

1)  Research the fish before you even think about having it shipped, or bagged up for you.  As the saying goes: knowledge is power.  

2)  Quarantine!  Quite possible the most important, yet most overlooked piece of "equipment" at one's disposable is the use of a quarantine tank.  All you need is a 10-20g bare setup, with just some PVC pipe, a sponge filter or something to provide biological filtration, and a heater.  I'd also recommend painting three sides, and the bottom too if possible to provide more security.  Substrate is totally optional, but I'd recommend against it because the whole setup will need to be torn down and sterilized before being used again.

3) Proper maintenance habits.  Keep up to date on the tank cleanings and filter cleanings.  To put it simply: keep the water clean.

4) Proper diet.  If the fish are eating a good, proper diet, and living in clean, proper water, their immune system will be in tip-top functioning order, which means more resiliance to disease.

5) Proper tank setup.  This goes back to researching the fish before purchase.  

6) Lack of dependancy.  Don't rely on a UV sterilizer, or a magic elixer to keep your fish healthy, because the reality is, neither one will do much to help with disease.  Don't believe me?  Go to a fairly new fish store as a lot have UV sterilization and look through the tanks.  I can guarantee at least one tank will be infected with Ich, and many others will be infected with parasitic infections, be they internal or external.  A UV sterilizer can help, but it won't make all your problems disappear.

That's really all I can think of right now.  It really all comes down to ensuring the best care possible.  As long as that happens, you won't have to worry about disease too much.  However, always keep your eyes open, especially if you deal with wild fish.  They tend to come in with both internal, and external parasitic infestations.

[SteveL91]

That's also a real good idea.  I totally forgot about keeping a log book, as I'm too lazy to do it '>

[Clay]

Steve, great topic.....

[hydroshutter]

Im printing all these out, along with yours. So I can put them in that book you were mentioning. Im gonna make one right now, Thanks for the post.

[MANG-man]

I think 1 Tbsp. aquarium salt/gallon is a little high for freshwater.....Don't you mean 1Tbsp. per every 5 gallons of water? That's what the directions say on my aquarium salt for general treatment or remedy. It also recommends that you keep the water temp. at 80 degrees. I usually turn up my temp. to 84 if I am treating my fish.

[managuense]

how about a bit of salt. Most or some parasites do not like salt. As they are single celled and cannot adjust to the change

about 1 tblsp per gallon should do the trick!

[Neoplasia]

1 for every 5 or 10 is a good measure, but it's not really needed. Some people swear by salt others never touch the stuff.

[redtailfool]

does anyone know if salt is bad for scaleless fish ?............. anyone?

[redtailfool]

speaking of salt ,would adding salt affect(negative) fishes that do not have scales?

[Payara]

I work in a fish store and I have found that most problems that people have comes from a lack of water changes and gravel cleanings.  pH drops, ammonia goes up and then the fish get sick.

[shootfighter8]

how about a bit of salt. Most or some parasites do not like salt. As they are single celled and cannot adjust to the change

about 1 tblsp per gallon should do the trick!

Most aquarium books, i.e. Essential F.W. Aquariums, suggest salt baths to treat infected fishes because single-celled micro-organisms (bacteria) and multi-celled micro-organisms (protozoa) will die due to cell lysis because of "osmosis." Also, heat treatments to combat ICH has been suggested by Aquahobby website by raising temperature of the tank to 86 degrees Fahrenheit with frequent water changes. From my experience, both methods worked fine for me.

Also before I forget, great thread!

[BigMOCats]

OMFRICKIN'G!!!! FOUR AND A HALF YEARS!!!!!!!!!!! You realize you keep replying to threads where some of the people are long gone! Might want to check the dates before you reply!!!!!

[shootfighter8]

OMFRICKIN'G!!!! FOUR AND A HALF YEARS!!!!!!!!!!! You realize you keep replying to threads where some of the people are long gone! Might want to check the dates before you reply!!!!!

Apparently, you've got some issues with that so chill out dude! Didn't notice the date!

[BigMOCats]

OMFRICKIN'G!!!! FOUR AND A HALF YEARS!!!!!!!!!!! You realize you keep replying to threads where some of the people are long gone! Might want to check the dates before you reply!!!!!

Apparently, you've got some issues with that so chill out dude! Didn't notice the date!

Apparently! Here's an idea...........check the date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[shootfighter8]

OMFRICKIN'G!!!! FOUR AND A HALF YEARS!!!!!!!!!!! You realize you keep replying to threads where some of the people are long gone! Might want to check the dates before you reply!!!!!

Apparently, you've got some issues with that so chill out dude! Didn't notice the date!

Apparently! Here's an idea...........check the date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You're not the boss of me! Right of 1st amendment regardless of date and time!

This post has been edited by shootfighter8: Mar 18 2007, 03:24 PM