Post by Carl on Jun 28, 2023 11:07:15 GMT -5
UPDATED ARTICLE from "Aquarium Answers"
"Fish Baths, Dips, Swabs; Including Coral; For Disease, Ammonia, Treatment"
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/.../07/fish-baths.html
EXCERPT:
"Why a Fish Bath (both positives and negatives)?
Provides an environment to use products that might otherwise harm your display aquarium, in particular the nitrogen cycle.
While Methylene Blue can be used in the main aquarium, it is generally more effective in concentrations best served in a bath without the risk to the bio filter.
Allow for stronger short term exposure to medications, which can be important for some more delicate fish
Allow for use of osmoregulators such as sodium chlorides or magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salt) in dosages that may not necessarily be therapeutic but definitely allow for the pulling of fluids through the body of the fish which can help with cleansing of toxins and help with treatment of Swim Bladder issues, Dropsy, or similar.
These concentrations that are more effective of sodium chloride/magnesium sulfate generally are not safe for use in the main aquarium for long term exposure.
As for magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), while I have not specifically know the mechanism, what I do know from experimenting around is that it works well in a bath, but is actually detrimental “in-tank” for freshwater.
My guess is magnesium is more of a controlling osmoregulator like sodium chloride can be as well, not something the fish need much of.
As an analogy, think of how our atmosphere is mostly nitrogen, yet it is oxygen that we utilize. Ditto magnesium sulfate in water, especially marine aquariums, but over loading in freshwater long term seems to have a negative affect, while a short term bath of magnesium sulfate seems to help draw fluids though the fish in a therapeutic way
For genetically weak or old fish, a bath can provide for a treatment while not affecting the main aquarium environment, which most medications used in tank have a negative affect on the aquarium environment.
As well the fish bath often makes a good compliment to in tank treatments, especially when using a more mild treatment such as AAP/API Pimafix."
"Fish Baths, Dips, Swabs; Including Coral; For Disease, Ammonia, Treatment"
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/.../07/fish-baths.html
EXCERPT:
"Why a Fish Bath (both positives and negatives)?
Provides an environment to use products that might otherwise harm your display aquarium, in particular the nitrogen cycle.
While Methylene Blue can be used in the main aquarium, it is generally more effective in concentrations best served in a bath without the risk to the bio filter.
Allow for stronger short term exposure to medications, which can be important for some more delicate fish
Allow for use of osmoregulators such as sodium chlorides or magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salt) in dosages that may not necessarily be therapeutic but definitely allow for the pulling of fluids through the body of the fish which can help with cleansing of toxins and help with treatment of Swim Bladder issues, Dropsy, or similar.
These concentrations that are more effective of sodium chloride/magnesium sulfate generally are not safe for use in the main aquarium for long term exposure.
As for magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), while I have not specifically know the mechanism, what I do know from experimenting around is that it works well in a bath, but is actually detrimental “in-tank” for freshwater.
My guess is magnesium is more of a controlling osmoregulator like sodium chloride can be as well, not something the fish need much of.
As an analogy, think of how our atmosphere is mostly nitrogen, yet it is oxygen that we utilize. Ditto magnesium sulfate in water, especially marine aquariums, but over loading in freshwater long term seems to have a negative affect, while a short term bath of magnesium sulfate seems to help draw fluids though the fish in a therapeutic way
For genetically weak or old fish, a bath can provide for a treatment while not affecting the main aquarium environment, which most medications used in tank have a negative affect on the aquarium environment.
As well the fish bath often makes a good compliment to in tank treatments, especially when using a more mild treatment such as AAP/API Pimafix."