How long can Ick live with no fish?

[Saltinthedesert]

Had Ick show up out of nowhere in a grow out tank. I have removed all of the fish for quarantine, but there are still some plants, aquasoil, and wood in the tank. With normal doses of Ich X, How long until it is safe to assume the tank is disease free?
 

Edited December 31, 2021 by Saltinthedesert

[Native Keeper]

Cory actually answered a question like this on a livestream.

Basically, he recommended waiting about a month.

If Ich still persists, just redo the entire tank.

[Gator]

If you raise the water temp to about 85 degrees, you'll never have an issue with Ich, even if fish are in the tank.

[Saltinthedesert]

On 12/30/2021 at 4:46 PM, HydraSlayer said:

Cory actually answered a question like this on a livestream.

Basically, he recommended waiting about a month.

If Ich still persists, just redo the entire tank.

If you wait a month with no fish won’t the cycle crash?

[HH Morant]

"If you wait a month with no fish won’t the cycle crash?"

Good point, @Saltinthedesert. I am not sure how long beneficial bacteria can live without ammonia. But if you are concerned about that you can add ammonia to the tank every day to maintain, and maybe strengthen, the bacteria. You would need to test periodically to make sure the bacteria is converting the ammonia and nitrite.

[Native Keeper]

@Saltinthedesert the solution to that problem is just putting fish food in the tank. That'll keep the bacteria fed.

 

[Saltinthedesert]

@HydraSlayerThats easy. if I double the Ich X dose, will that harm the cycle/good bacteria?

[Native Keeper]

@Saltinthedesert I don't think so.