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Treatment For Velvet
Posted: 29 Jul 2004, 04:07
by Spakase
Can malachite green/formalin be used in a pleco tank?
What's the dosage to be used?
Are there any other medication for velvet?
Many thanks.
Posted: 29 Jul 2004, 20:35
by dustyplec
if you only have plecs then in theory it can,just make sure youve got plenty of oxygen in there and you dont overdose and things should be fine.
If you have any scaleless fish (loach etc) the dose should be halved,and i would think seriously about even using it
seek other treatments for it such as anti slime and velvet (a uk product,not sure what you have in singapore)
As regards to the dosage,follow the instructions on the bottle and you should hit the nail on the head
Posted: 29 Jul 2004, 21:03
by Rusty
dustyplec wrote:If you have any scaleless fish (loach etc) the dose should be halved,and i would think seriously about even using it
Wouldn't plecos fall into this group?
Rusty
Posted: 30 Jul 2004, 01:56
by Spakase
Any idea what's in the "anti-slime & Velvet" concoction? Which co makes this product, eg Waterlife, Interpret.
Are there any other alternatives?
Posted: 30 Jul 2004, 13:06
by dustyplec
hmmm maybe,but plecs arent usually too sensitive with malachite.
Please correct me if im wrong
Posted: 30 Jul 2004, 17:27
by Barbie
Malachite green tends to kill a large portion of your biological filter and cause ammonia spikes a week or two after it's used. You might keep that in mind when you're treating your tank. I personally would recommend a medication that is metronidazole based, with increased temps to 84 degrees and daily water changes.
Barbie
Posted: 31 Jul 2004, 06:03
by INXS
Spakase,
velvet/Oodium is a nasty , nasty bug. I got it in a couple of tanks some time ago and there is a thread here somewhere about it. Particularly the albino ancistrus got it bad.
At first it is easily mistaken for Ick but as time goes on it becomes appearant that it is more widespread and smaller spots.
After searching many sources on the web I settled for (as you mention) the Malachite green and formalin.
I treated as follows:
Day 1- 50% waterchanges, raised temp to 86, increased air and cover the tank with a blanket (total darkness). Full dose of Malachite and formalin. Day 2 and 3 were the same. Then I went to every second day for 3 doses.
After that once a week with the last full dose after a month.
Oodium is a very nasty bug and according to several sources takes 30 days to eliminate.
Darkness is important especially at first. The raised temp, increased air and waterchanges are a good help for a number ailments.
The first few days were crucial as the breathing was very labored and strained. You also don't want to feed for a few days.
Posted: 31 Jul 2004, 13:57
by Spakase
Thanks, INXS. Good to hear from an experienced hand.
Barbie, I'm not sure if metronidazole can work - has it been used successful to treat velvet? Thanks for your comment, it is true malachite green will be quite detrimental to the nitrifying bacteria. Just hope my fishes never do get this nasty disease, but with wild caught fishes, can never be sure. I do use a UV on my pleco tank just so as to keep the tank environment a little more safer.