protein skimmer

[duke6188]

would a protein skimmer help with a 55 gallon aquarium that seems to get ich alot have about 12 smaller sized fish in it

[mlblover126]

i had a similar problem, dose with cooper if you dont have inverts. i also had inverts and i purchased a u.v. sterilizer and that took care of the ick. but dont count on a u.v. sterilizer to take care of ick i've heard its hit or miss, you should reseach alot and decide with application is best for you!!!

[luke33]

Don't dose with copper, it'll stay in your tank until you empty it and sterilize and rinse it out with bleach. If you are going to treat your main tank, use the hypo method, lower your sg to 1.009 and keep it there for 6-8weeks. It won't kill off your LR completely like copper will. Copper will kill your beneficial bacteria in your tank and LR, kill your inverts, and get into your substrate and your substrate will be worthless. It also will stress your fish out.

[HookedOnReefing]

I think the reason for your prolonged and/or frequent Ich problems, is your bio-load. Eventhough you keep 12 smaller fishes, that number is in my opinion way too many for a 55 gallon tank.

Your fishes experience constant stress which is the reason for your fishes having a weak immune system and therefore being suseptible to Ich.

[Dubbin1]

A skimmer has NOTHING to do with ich. Also a UV sterilizer will not get rid of it. Until you treat the fish outside of the main tank and let it set fishless for 6-7 weeks then you are going to continue to have ich. I also agree that you have way too many fish for a 55g tank.