Post by Carl on Dec 23, 2019 17:53:41 GMT -5
I've updated this in depth article with research going back to the 1970s on my part
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Disease.html
Here is an excerpt:
NEW ARRIVALS/ACCLIMATION
Whether simple acclimation or more advanced acclimation is used, this process is important even if your source for fish were 100% disease free (which none is), as the stress of pH changes, ammonia build up in the shipping bag, and more can causes stresses that add considerably to the chances your new fish will come down with a disease, OR WORSE; become ground zero for a new disease outbreak that infects your entire tank!
The point is, this is an important step of aquarium disease prevention and should NEVER be ignored!
Simple Acclimation
For fish just moved a short distance such as your local fish/aquarium store to your home or office):
Make sure all the fish in the aquarium are healthy (if the fish store has a centralized system [which I do not recommend, but most do nowadays], check ALL the aquariums).
Float your fish in the bag for 30-60 minutes for temperature and osmotic stabilization, then open the bag and SLOWLY add your aquarium water to the bag, a little at a time during this time period.
I also like to add a drop or two of Methylene Blue at this time (Methylene Blue is very difficult to overdose, so exact amounts are not as important as other medications/treatments). Metronidazole or ParaGuard can be added during this acclimation time (Metronidazole can be safely double dosed for this short time, however ParaGuard should be used at normal dose or only half dose for sensitive fish.)
An excellent product that can be used for both a bath and "in bag" treatment that combines Methylene Blue, salts, Vitamins, as well as Sulfas and Nitrofurazone is AAP Bettamax. Best use for this purpose is oone capsule per 2.5 gallons of fish water.
Another alternative treatment to add to the fish bag or acclimation container is "AAP/Kordon Fish Therapy Curative Bath". This is an all natural fish bath containing natural therapeutic oils (including citrus, neem, and lavender oils), and aloe vera. It is noteworthy that Neem is both anti-parasitic (used in pet flea remedies) and anti-bacterial.
Do not combine this with Methylene blue or other chemical treatments, either use "Fish Therapy Curative Bath" or the previously mentioned products during the acclimation process to prevent disease.
Product Resources:
*AAP Bettamax
*SeaChem ParaGuard Ich, Fungus Treatment, Prevention
*Metronidazole from AAP
*AAP MethyBlu Premium Concentrated Methylene Blue (recommended)
*Kordon Fish Therapy Curative Bath from AAP
Further Information about Methylene Blue and its uses:
Aquarium Medication Information Part 3; Methylene Blue
Dispose of the water in the bag to avoid contamination.
Add a shock preventative that adds electrolytes and /or a slime coat such as Start Right, Prime, AAP Shieldex, AAP Res-Q, etc.
AAP Res-Q is far and away the best and professional choice for freshwater (AAP Shieldex for marine), especially if any injuries and damaged fins are present.
Product Resources:
*AAP Res-Q
*SeaChem Prime from AAP
If a quarantine tank is not used (as is often this is not possible for most aquarium keepers), the use of a preventative treatment in the display tank after adding the new fish is advisable. The Medicated Wonder Shell is very useful for this; however the use of half doses of ParaGuard, AAP Super Ich Plus, or similar products can also be helpful (although not quite as wide spectrum)
Carl
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Disease.html
Here is an excerpt:
NEW ARRIVALS/ACCLIMATION
Whether simple acclimation or more advanced acclimation is used, this process is important even if your source for fish were 100% disease free (which none is), as the stress of pH changes, ammonia build up in the shipping bag, and more can causes stresses that add considerably to the chances your new fish will come down with a disease, OR WORSE; become ground zero for a new disease outbreak that infects your entire tank!
The point is, this is an important step of aquarium disease prevention and should NEVER be ignored!
Simple Acclimation
For fish just moved a short distance such as your local fish/aquarium store to your home or office):
Make sure all the fish in the aquarium are healthy (if the fish store has a centralized system [which I do not recommend, but most do nowadays], check ALL the aquariums).
Float your fish in the bag for 30-60 minutes for temperature and osmotic stabilization, then open the bag and SLOWLY add your aquarium water to the bag, a little at a time during this time period.
I also like to add a drop or two of Methylene Blue at this time (Methylene Blue is very difficult to overdose, so exact amounts are not as important as other medications/treatments). Metronidazole or ParaGuard can be added during this acclimation time (Metronidazole can be safely double dosed for this short time, however ParaGuard should be used at normal dose or only half dose for sensitive fish.)
An excellent product that can be used for both a bath and "in bag" treatment that combines Methylene Blue, salts, Vitamins, as well as Sulfas and Nitrofurazone is AAP Bettamax. Best use for this purpose is oone capsule per 2.5 gallons of fish water.
Another alternative treatment to add to the fish bag or acclimation container is "AAP/Kordon Fish Therapy Curative Bath". This is an all natural fish bath containing natural therapeutic oils (including citrus, neem, and lavender oils), and aloe vera. It is noteworthy that Neem is both anti-parasitic (used in pet flea remedies) and anti-bacterial.
Do not combine this with Methylene blue or other chemical treatments, either use "Fish Therapy Curative Bath" or the previously mentioned products during the acclimation process to prevent disease.
Product Resources:
*AAP Bettamax
*SeaChem ParaGuard Ich, Fungus Treatment, Prevention
*Metronidazole from AAP
*AAP MethyBlu Premium Concentrated Methylene Blue (recommended)
*Kordon Fish Therapy Curative Bath from AAP
Further Information about Methylene Blue and its uses:
Aquarium Medication Information Part 3; Methylene Blue
Dispose of the water in the bag to avoid contamination.
Add a shock preventative that adds electrolytes and /or a slime coat such as Start Right, Prime, AAP Shieldex, AAP Res-Q, etc.
AAP Res-Q is far and away the best and professional choice for freshwater (AAP Shieldex for marine), especially if any injuries and damaged fins are present.
Product Resources:
*AAP Res-Q
*SeaChem Prime from AAP
If a quarantine tank is not used (as is often this is not possible for most aquarium keepers), the use of a preventative treatment in the display tank after adding the new fish is advisable. The Medicated Wonder Shell is very useful for this; however the use of half doses of ParaGuard, AAP Super Ich Plus, or similar products can also be helpful (although not quite as wide spectrum)
Carl