Topical application of Methylene Blue

[Deleted]

Greetings Carl/All,

I read on AAP -- I think in section for treatment for Columnaris -- that topical applications of Methylene Blue can help in mild cases of Columnaris. Is this done full strength? applying with Q-tips?

I have a new Millennium rainbow that needs treatment. I am pretty sure I can heal him without stronger medications. He will get a Methylene Blue/salt bath, but I need water that doesn't have any other treatments in it -- so will have to wait until I do a water change in my 20 gallon Xtra high (same water parameters -- but no additional treatments have been added in several days). 

I did apply some Bio-Bandage - which has some Methylene Blue in it. I had mild cases clear up on two other fish just using Bio Bandage.

I unplugged one of my heaters to bring the temperature down to 75 degrees. The Cobalt heater is present to 78 degrees, so I will just heat the tank with Aqueon Pro (which I had already turned down to 76 degrees -- and it now at 75 degrees). 

Thanks in advance.

Judy D.

[Carl]

I use it full strength when applied directly (which is only a 2.303% solution)

The use of the Bio Bandage is a good alternative to topical treatment of Methylene Blue for mild cases of Columnaris IMO

Product Resources:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Quickcure.html#methylene
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Waterconditioner.html#biobandage

Carl

[Deleted]

Thanks for stocking Bio Bandage! That is really a much easier way to apply Methylene Blue. I need to get some surgical gloves so I don't stain my fingers when I open my bottle of Methylene Blue. I ended up with a blue thumb last time - and blue fingernail the first time.

If any other members read this.... try the Bio Bandage. You will find that you will always want in on hand, too. Soon I will have my upstairs treatment... not that I am lazy or anything (grin).

I just had to order more small Wonder Shells, too -- after watching the cute kid video (smile) - check the Newsletter. I like using the small ones in my upstairs aquariums -- they are easy to hide.

Cheers,

Judy

[Carl]

The Bio-Bandage is generally a better to apply a swab of MB than using straight MB, however it still cannot take the place of MB in a bath

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

Nov 1, 2014 11:18:50 GMT -5 @judy4fish said:

If any other members read this.... try the Bio Bandage.

I plan on giving it a try. ;)I typically do MB in bath cause it's less stressful IMO, but it would interesting to see how the swab works better.

[Deleted]

Nov 1, 2014 12:48:35 GMT -5 devonjohnsgard said:

Nov 1, 2014 11:18:50 GMT -5 @judy4fish said:

 ;)I typically do MB in bath cause it's less stressful IMO, 

Hi Devon,

Maybe less stressful for the fish-keeper too (chuckles). I had a silver dollar a while back that only got two treatments of Bio Bandage (for a wound). He was just too "jumpity". I definitely do not recommend trying Bio Bandage on a big fish. You will have a huge water mess.

I have gotten pretty quick at applying the Bio Bandage. It isn't a substitute to the bath though....Now that I have Methylene Blue, my fish get the bath, too, but since I use RO water (that I purchase), I don't do the baths as often as recommended....and the bath can't have other treatments (not the Microbe Lift treatments I use) in the water. I will be doing water changes with the tanks upstairs this weekend -- and will bring some of the aquarium water downstairs (that doesn't have treatments added) so the fish can get their bath. I will acclimate the fish to that water.

I have been able to save fish that had wounds (keeping them in a hospital tank while they healed). 

[angelminx]

Hey, Judy (Carl, et. al.)!

I've got to pick up some Bio Bandage when I get my new computer back and place my next order  !

I have a couple droppers left, from when Seachem supplied them with their plant supplements--wish I had saved more --(they're real thin and have raised ml markings on them), and I use one for my Metheylene Blue baths (and swabs). When I 1st open my bottle of MB I take something kind of thin and sharp (a nail will work) and punch a smallish hole in the foil on one side of the bottle, enlarging it as much as needed. That way I can "fill" the dropper and, catching one of the raised markings against the foil, rest it partway in the bottle instead of having to rest it somewhere else (where it might stain) when my hands are full . Then I just grab the dropper and add whatever is needed. [My only complaint is not being able to tell how much MB it left in the bottle when the level goes down a bit--can't tell how far down to put the dropper to "fill" it.]

As for staining myself, that usually happens if I am swabbing the fish and have to steady it with my hand (I usually leave the fish in the net--it's very soft--and only occasionally, depending on the fish and what needs to be swabbed, have to do any repositioning), and/or the fish, as you mentioned, get "jumpity".   It's usually one of the angels that does that, but luckily not all the time.  I have speckled walls near the aquarium, and a few blue-polka dotted shirts !  I'm going to have to hold a couple out just for swabbing...like a painting smock!

Angelminx

[parker002]

I only use MB in a bath. If I'm going to apply directly, like with a swab, I use Hydrogen Peroxide or Potassium Permanganate.

[Carl]

Nov 7, 2014 9:40:17 GMT -5 parker002 said:

I only use MB in a bath. If I'm going to apply directly, like with a swab, I use Hydrogen Peroxide or Potassium Permanganate.

Good point since both of these products are stronger and more effective for many problems that call for a swab in the first place.

Carl