Hyposalinity or Osmotic Shock Therapy

Status
Not open for further replies.

ricklalonde

Administrator
Staff member
Website Admin
Joined
Nov 10, 2010
Location
Wallaceburg, Ontario
Website
www.thefragtank.ca
About Hyposalinity or Osmotic Shock Therapy
A Simple, Effective, Non-Chemical Treatment for Ich


What is hyposalinity?

Hypo means "lower than normal", and saline/salinity "of or containing salt", therefore hyposalinity in the simpliest of terms is a lower amount of salt contained in seawater than normal. With the salinity level of oceans and seas around the world averaging out at around 1.024ppm, although lowering the amount of salt in water by a few points might be called hyposalinity, when it comes to saltwater aquariums this means bringing the salt content down to a range of 1.013 to 1.010ppm to be effective and truly considered as such.

How does hyposalinity effect ich and other marine organisms?

All marine creatures require freshwater just as we do to survive, they just process it differently. Since their bodies are less salty than the water surrounding them, to prevent the loss of needed freshwater they take in seawater, process it to eliminate the salt molecules, and then retain the freshwater to maintain a balance with nature. When the salinity of seawater is lowered, or hyposalinity is applied, it results in a lowering of the osmotic pressure of the water at the same time, thus the related name Osmotic Shock Therapy (OST). Fish and a few other sea creatures can withstand and adjust to this change in pressure, but protozoan (Cryptocaryon/White Spot Disease, and Brooklynella/Clownfish Disease), dinoflagellate (Oodinium/Velvet or Coral Fish Disease), and flat worm (Black Spot Disease) ich organisms cannot. Reduce this necessary pressure, particularly rapidly, and they literally explode! Although delicate corals and invertebrates may not immediately rupture as ich parasites do, these too are marine animals that cannot tolerate exposure to low osmotic pressure, resulting in a rather quick death.

When is hyposalinity most effective on ich?

Hyposalinity is largely ineffective on mature ich parasites that are well protected in the gills surrounded by thick mucus produced by an infected fish, when embedded deep in the tissues of their host, and during the final encrusted cyst stage of life. It is primarily during the free-swimming phase of life when newborn organisms are released from a mature cyst, and before they have the chance to fully attach and develop into mature parasites that they are most vulnerable and can be eliminated with hyposalinity.

When can this method of treatment be used?

Applying hyposalinity or osmotic shock therapy to treat ich problems is a personal choice decision one has to make, but here are many of the ways it can be used.

      For a QT
    * While treating fish in a QT, lowering the salinity can help prevent newborn ich organisms that might be released from mature cysts from reinfecting the fish during the quarantine period.
    * As a preventative measure, when new fish are brought home and placed in a QT for several weeks of observation before introducing them into the main aquarium.

    For Fish-Only Tanks
      (Note: Under the following situations it is recommended to at least remove and give all exposed fish a freshwater dip, preferably in combination with at least a one time appropriate medication treatment before placing the fish back into the main aquarium, at which point the salinity is lowered for 3 to 4 weeks.)
    * When a QT is not available, or the choice is made not to treat ich infected fish in one.
    * When one does not want to leave their aquarium empty with no fish to look at for month.
    * When there is concern or one wants to lessen the possibility of reinfestation occurring after the fish have been treated in a QT and returned to the main aquarium.
    * When reinfestation does occur after the fish have been treated and returned to the main aquarium.

      For Reef Tanks
    * Hyposalinity should NEVER be used in a reef system, as it will kill corals and all types of delicate invertebrates. Since most people in all likelihood will not want to disturb these animals, not to mention have to hassle with removing them and set up another tank to put them in, the easiest thing to do for a reef tank is to leave it devoid of all fish for at least 4 weeks and allow the ich to run its life cycle and die off.

What Hyposalinity Kills - The Effects of Osmotic Shock Therapy (O.S.T.)

Osmotic Shock Therapy (O.S.T. or hyposalinity) is one of the most effective, non-chemical ways to rid saltwater fish and aquariums of parasitic ich diseases, as well as can be used to eliminate a number of other pests* that often plague saltwater systems. Unfortunately the downside of using this method to kill bad things you don't want is that it will kill other desirable things as well. This includes, but may not be limited to following animals:

    * Aiptasia Anemones*
    * Black Spot Disease* (Black Ich/Tang Disease)
    * Brooklynellosis* (Saltwater Ich/Clownfish Disease)
    * Corals
    * Cryptocaryon*(Saltwater Ich/White Spot Disease)
    * Non-Shelled Snails/Nudibranchs/Sea Slugs
    * Oodinium* (Saltwater Ich/Velvet, Rust, Coral Fish Disease)
    * Sea Anemones
    * Sea Cucumbers
    * Sea Urchins
    * Soft Shelled Crustaceans
    * Starfishes
    * Tube Worms (Feather Dusters)
    * Algae
    * Bristleworms*
    * Eels
    * Fish
    * Flat Worms*
    * Hard Shelled Crustaceans
    * Hermit Crabs
    * Shelled Snails
    * True Crabs

How To Treat an Aquarium with Hyposalinity

Here's How:


  1. Option A) Prepare a sufficient amount of 1.013 to 1.010ppm range, tank pH and other water parameter matched saltwater to do a complete water change on a main aquarium, or to fill a QT with. Option B) Get a sufficient amount of appropriate source, tank pH matched freshwater ready for use.

  2. Option A) Remove about 3/4 of the saltwater in the aquarium and replace it with the prepared hyposalinity water. Option B) Drain about 1/2 of the saltwater out the aquarium and replace it with the freshwater.

  3. Test the aquarium water with a salinity tester or hydrometer, and if the salt level is still high, above 1.013ppm, or the freshwater level has become too low, below 1.010ppm, remove some of the water and top the tank off with whatever type of water is needed to bring the salinity level up or down to within the ideal range.

  4. Maintain the aquarium as a hyposalinity system for at least 3 weeks, 4 is better, and follow normal maintenance procedures using tank parameter matched hyposalinity water if and when water changes are needed.

  5. Final Phase Option A) For a main aquarium, once the treatment period is finished the salinity level needs to be returned to normal. HOWEVER, IF FISH OR OTHER ANIMALS ARE PRESENT, THIS HAS TO BE DONE GRADUALLY OVER A PERIOD OF DAYS, AS NOT TO SHOCK THEM! Start by removing about 1/4 of the hyposalinity water and replace it with regular level saltwater it had prior to treatment, such as 1.024ppm. Wait a day or two and repeat this process, and continue to do so until the salinity is back to normal.

  6. Final Phase Option B) If the main aquarium is being treated under hyposalinity, and the fish where removed and are also being treated in the same way in a QT, with the parameters of the aquarium and the QT water matched as closely as possible, the fish should be able to be placed directly back into the main aquarium, followed by Step 5 instructions above.

  7. Final Phase Option C) If the a main aquarium has no fish or other animals present, a complete water change can be done using normal level saltwater.

Tips:

  1. Hyposalinity is most effective at "exploding" ich organisms when they are subjected to a "rapid" rather than a slow change in the osmotic pressure of the water around them, which is done by exposing them to a quickly lowered salinity environment.
  2. Hyposalinity is most effective at destroying ich organisms when they are most vulnerable, which is primarily during their newborn free-swimming phase of life, and before they are allowed to become mature parasites.
  3. Hyposalinity will kill delicate corals and invertebrates, therefore this treatment should NEVER be used in a reef tank system, unless these animals are removed!

What You Need:

    * Prepared low salinity saltwater, or freshwater
    * Salinity tester/hydrometer
    * Water storage container
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top