Dear friends!
I've been struggling with a nightmare of every newbie aquarist:
Cryptocaryon irritans (the most common cause of ick disease). Since I work at university I've decided to share this problem with my colleges from marine biology department. I was strongly recommended to prepare medication myself. It worked fine, it maybe known to you already, however I decided to share this very simple recipe. It requires 3 components and it's 99% invertebrate/coraline algae safe.
The components:
40mg citric acid
(can be purchased from local grocery store or supermarket, it's commonly used as an additive in fruit jelly, ice ream, lemon-based juice etc...)
4g dimethylglikol (should be possible to buy it in medical store/pharmacy store. It will have oily consistency)
400ml of RO/DI water
Mix all components by inversion,
do not shake!
This mixture should be stored at 4C (in your fridge). Application:
10ml for approx. 26.5gal. of water on 1,3,5,7 day of treatment (in other words skip every second day!).
Additionally one should prepare food enhancer:
I was also wisely advised by mattgezer and omrad to use vit.C/garlic enhancers for my food! Chaps! You are more than right! It was the first suggestion from my colleges from marine biology! This mix simply stimulates the immune system of our beloved fish!
Total cost:
citrate 0.5 euro
dimethylglikol 4 euro
RO/DI H
2O -
guess
One more thing is important. None of the components introduces phosphates or ammonia! This is significant since You don't want to add additional stress to your tank! Disease is enough!
P.S.
Matt , Scott! Thanks for suggestion to use vit. C. I read it in your numerous posts ... It works, and my beloved Percula Clown, owes You one
Enjoy the beauty of science/and the wisdom of 3reef community!