Rid-Ich+ dosing times

[ALS2000]

I read online on some sites that rid-ich+ should be dosed only every 3-4 days. for 4 doses total. Is this true? I have a tank that I have treated for the first dose today. However the label on the bottle says to dose every 24 hours until all Ich is gone and then for 3 more days. Which regimen is correct or can I use either. Daily dosing on my 72G is gonna get very expensive. But if that's the only way then so be it. I have raised the temp already btw. thanks all.

[amaruq]

I have used malachite green.

Depending on the fish you have in the tank you either use a full dose (one drop per gallon) or half dose. I used it for 3 days then do a half water change. If you need to re-dose then start all over again. Putting the temp higher makes the ich cycle go faster.

I have frogs and loaches so when i have used it, I use the half dose.

[Melody]

Always follow manufacturer directions to the letter, unless you are halfing the dose to accomodate sensitive creatures. RidIch is one of the more gentle med's and I've even used it with snails in the tank, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Frequency shouldn't be played with as it can lose its potency, or it may be advised because the level of med's in the tank have to be built up gradually. If it didn't lose its potency rapidly or need to be gradually brought up to a certain level, too much would build up in the tank which of course, they wouldn't recommend.

With RidIch+ it says to increase the frequency of the dose if it doesn't work at the recommended frequency, but cautions against increasing the amount of each dose. That indicates to me that it could harm the fish if the amount in the environment isn't brought up slowly, and/or the potency declines rapidly. If it is the latter, waiting longer to dose more could give the Ich a window of opportunity to establish itself again. If this has worked for some, chances are they just got lucky and the Ich cycle worked with their doseage schedule.

Doseage should be as read in the directions whenever possible. Otherwise the organism being treated may build an immunity/survive treatement, or worse, the shock will kill the fish.

Maybe there's some science I'm missing but more likely its someone who has tried it and got rid of the Ich, so now they think that method is an economical alternative which is just as effective. It's like us having to take med's - I could skip three doses and still be cured, but that doesn't mean its a wise thing to do. :NoWay:

[CACAdmin]

I agree, it's best to follow the manufacturer's directions to the letter. The first time I had Ich in my tank, I didn't fully understand the Ich cycle, nor the importance of following the full treatment cycle as recommended on the bottle. Guess what? Ich returned and I had to start treatment all over again. So it ended up costing more money (& time & frustration) in the end.

Additional Info: Treatment of Ich (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1664)