Let's clear some things up about ICK

alpha_03 · Mar 26, 2011

I have used Kick Ick by Ruby Reef with great sucess, I have never used any other product because in twelve years this was the first (and hopfully last time) I ever need to.

When I first got this parasite, from a going out of business LFS "bargin" fish I bought, I first tried the fresh water methods- raise tank temps, add kosher aquarium salt (API), added melafix and pimafix- antibiotics, turn off skimmer (turn off reactors too), these methods helped, but sadly to the dismay of my coral beauty and my wrasse's it didnt help- my tangs got it first- from the red soldier I should have placed in a QT, then my clowns got it- war on ICK was declared.

BTW I have a fully stocked reef- invert, lps, sps, you name it.

So I called a few well established aquarium stores and Premium Aquatic's told me to try kick ick- a little pricey, but I tried it out.

It worked- quite well, I followed the directions to the letter and it worked, it worked really well- we have no ICK now. I wouldnt tell you to use this if it had not worked for me- give it a try- you might be supprized.

So I am quoting from the Ruby website itself, the rest- read on: http://rubyreefinc.com/index.php?op...=47:kick-ich&catid=35:documentation&Itemid=56

LIFE CYCLE OF I. MULTIFILIIS & C. IRRITANS

1. Trophozoites mature between the dermal layers of the skin causing “whitespot”.
2. Mature trophozoites (trophonts) leave the infected fish. Trophonts secrete a thick gelatinous coating.
3. Tomites (infecting units) develop in mature trophonts.
4. Tomites (“swarmers” or “free swimming parasites”) are released upon rupture of mature trophonts.
5. Tomites penetrate the skin of fish host and begin cycle again.
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Ruby Reef KICK-ICH is a scientifically developed water treatment for stopping C. irritans and I. multifiliis infections. The KICK-ICH™ formulation is specifically designed to interrupt the free swimming stage (i.e., the “tomite” stage) of their life cycles, thereby stopping progressive infection and reinfection, without use of copper, malachite green, hyper-irritants or other chemicals that are toxic to many aquarium inhabitants. In addition, KICK-ICH™ does not affect nitrifying bacteria (e.g., Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter) and is biodegradable.
During the typical “Ich” lifecycle, a free-swimming tomite penetrates the host skin, where it undergoes metamorphosis into a “trophozoite”. The trophozoite matures within the host skin -- forming the “whitespot” cyst – until it emerges from the cyst as a “trophont” and leaves the host. The trophont secretes a thick, highly resistant mucous coat immediately upon exit from the host: the mucous coat protects the trophont as it undergoes replication and division into hundreds of infecting units, which emerge as new, fully infectious tomites upon rupture of the ripe trophont.It is generally impractical or impossible to attack, by chemical or drug therapy, maturing trophozoites residing between dermal layers of skin. [NOTE: It is possible to cause spots to "slide off" by employing highly stressful and sometimes toxic hyper-irritants that induce sliming and shedding of dermal layers.] Similarly, it is virtually impossible to attack [or irritate] the mucous coated trophonts. However, practical interruption of the infection cycle can be accomplished by attacking the unprotected, free swimming tomites. KICK-ICK™ is a water treatment that, when used as directed, can be directly and safely added to any marine, reef or freshwater aquarium to effectively interrupt the tomite stage of the Ich life cycle, without concern for the health and vigor of fish, corals, invertebrates or nitrifying bacteria.

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Please note the directions, which I think most people do not correctly follow:

Ruby Reef Kick-Ich Directions:

For 15-Day Treatment

Beginning on Day 1 add 2.0oz of Kick-Ich for each 25gal of total water volume for the entire aquarium + filter system(s). Repeat on days 4, 7, 10 & 13 whether or not spots continue to be visible (For heavy infections repeat on days 3, 5, 7, 10 & 13). Persistent infections may require repeating the cycle.

Do not use carbon or similar absorbent media during treatment (phosphate absorbents are OK). Protein Skimmers can appreciably reduce effectiveness of the treatment. Safe for all fish (including scaleless fish), plants, corals and invertebrates. Will not affect biofiltration.
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Let's clear some things up about ICK

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Let's clear some things up about ICK

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