Ick killed fish

Question
Hi Chris,

I've had my tank for years and have gotten spoiled by how insensitive it had become to slight changes.  It's 65 gallons and had barbs, a bala, clown loach, and a few other large fish.  All the fish I had bought were small but after a couple of years, all had become a decent size.  I noticed a week ago that my loach had white spots all over it.  Assuming it was ick, I treated it with Quick Cure and the spots started to go away.  Then my fish died.  Within 4 days all the fish had died although I did not see signs of ick on the others.  Now that the tank is empty, I'm not sure whether I should completely empty the tank and start over (with the same bio foam or new?) or just test for ammonia, etc.  I'm worried that some sort of disease killed all the fish.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Answer
Hi Susan;

How awful! I'm sorry this has happened to you and your fish.

It's possible that ick attacked the others on their gills. It causes suffocation without any external signs of the parasite. But, it's hard to say for sure. Just a possibility.

If it were my tank I would start over and replace all the filter media. I don't think you would have to sterilize everything but I would rinse the gravel and all decorations as well as rinse the tank itself. Start slowly with a hardy fish or two. It will be just like setting up a new tank and the beneficial bacteria will be gone so it will have to re-establish itself. It can take up to 8 weeks to do that safely. Just remember to keep only one inch of fish for every ten gallons until the process is complete and then slowly add a fish or two every week until you have the desired safe population. Here is my own web page about that to help you get through the process;

http://www.xanga.com/Expert_Fish_Help

Once it is through the break-in period, maintain it weekly with a 25% water change and gravel vacuuming so your new guys will have healthy immune systems and stay strong and healthy.

Good luck and I hope all goes well...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins