Please help im new to keeping Goldfish and they have got white spot which i am treating, can some one please tell me what I do afterwards as regards to the water in the tank. Do I have to do a water change? and how long before I can add other fish?...Thank you

Hi Finn,
Firstly people who are here to help you will want the details of your tank. see above. eg. nitrite, ammonia, nitrate levels etc.
What are you treating the ich (whitespot) with? I notice you are in the UK like myself, and I have had very little success with the Local Fish Shops treatments.
However I have been very successful in treating it with aquarium salt. Not table salt btw!! If your meds are failing, perhaps salt is another option? Details of this can be found here. http://www.goldfishinfo.com/salt.htm
Someone will be around with some good advice for you. I am still learning and dont feel experienced enough to tell you exactly what to do.
If it were me, I would definately carry out a 50% water change once the ich has gone, I would syphon the gravel thoroughly too to remove anything that might be lurking. This should be done on a regular basis anyway. Erm.....If you are treating them all for ich, and they all reside in the same tank, then I wouldnt think about sterilising the tank completely. I dont kow what filter you have, but you need a carbon pad to remove medication once you are done with it. Water changing will also do this. Its very important that the quality of the tank water is good, this will help the fish fight any possible secondary infections which can be possible with ich.
My advice is to wait for other posts. Also read read read this site. Go through all past treatment advice etc. Most of my questions have been answered without having to post a message.
Goodluck Finn!!

TREATING ICH (WHITESPOT) with SALT!




1.Remove valued live plants
2. Raise temperature to 80 degrees F (26 degrees C max), tops.
3. Increase aeration! ... always important in any stress situation
4. Add one teaspoon of salt per US gallon.
5. Twelve hours later, add another one teaspoon of salt per US gallon.
6. Twelve hours later, add another one teaspoon of salt per US gallon.
7. Within 48-60 hours of the second salt dose at 80 degrees, the Ich will be gone.
8. Leave salt in the water for another 3-5 days unless you're worried about your live plants.
9. Remove salt via partial water changes. (30-40% at a time if desired).

To convert to Imperial gallons the factor is 1 Imperial gallon is 1.2 US gallons

Thank you so much for replying, I am using a treatment by waterlife called Protozin, I have only had my tank for a week and a half and I have active carbon filter, I have just ordered a test kit so as of yet can not tell you the values of the water.....I was worried about taking so much water out when doing the change as I thought this would cause more stress to the fish....My fishes spot semm to be decreasing, but I know I shouldnt build my hopes up.....Kind regards Angie (Finn)

Hi Finn!

Again, I am nooooo expert, I'm always asking similar questions!

What I will say to you though is that I just went through the same thing, after introducing some new plants without quarentining them

All my babies, that I've had for over 4 years from tiny little things, got sick. I also used Protozin, but after being wrongly advised by my local pet shop as to the size of the tank, I overdosed with the med. I killed all but 2 of my fish.

Basically, what I am saying is, this stuff is probably great at what it's supposed to do, but please please don't put any more in than you are supposed to. Also, check, double check and triple check your tank size and calculations before using it more.

Feel free to post your tank measurements here, and I / others will tell you what you need to know.

I really really hope your fish get through this, and it's great news o hear that the ick seems to be decreasing.

Keep us posted, there are some really great people on this site.

Good luck!

Also Finn,

(And please correct me if I am wrong other members!) but I think you need to remove your carbon sponge during the medication as I believe it may remove the medication itself!

I have done ....Thank you

Hi all, just to let you know that the that it looks like the meds are working, all the spots have dissapeared and my fish look happy not down in the dumps like they first did....Thanks to every one who gave me advice[COLOR=orange]

Also finn just as a heads up - you're tank's about to go through its cycle which means many water changes. This is where your test kits will come in very handy. If your fish are a little stressed and weakened by the ich treatment, you'll need to make certain your water's perfect. So ph, ammonia and nitrites will need to be monitored closely. Then you will see an increase in your nitrates - which is easily kept under control with gravel vaccing and water changes.. Cycling a tank is by no means easy but once you get the hang of it and your fish through it - it's all good fun but it'll take about 6 weeks .

There's some really useful info on the home page about cycling if you haven't already read it - this information was what got me through the cycling of my tanks and all without sacrificing any fish

Thanks for getting back to me, im only on third day of treatment and things seem to be looking up....although im still worried as im new to all of this...Where i have no filter going at the moment the water is going a little misty and wondered What i should do for that as i didnt want to do a water change and take meds out of water.
I have air in there and the fish seem to be a lot happier, what would you advise?
Kind regards

P.S ive tryed to pm people and dont seem to be allowed...why is this?