Cath Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 I was given formalin by the LFS for white spot and as they had nothing else I took it but I want to check with you guys about its useage? Is this an ok thing to use? Will it kill the plants? Can I dose the whole tank with it etc Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Increase tank to 28c, add rock salt. Dont use Chemicals to kill Whitespot it kills alot of the bacteria in the tank, essential for a stable healthy enviroment for your fish. Shae Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cath Posted November 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 ok the temp has been increased to 28* I've had it there for several days now I tried to get it to 30* but it wouldn't go any higher. IN a tank that is 80cm x 40 x 40 how much rock salt would you add - thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Although some might disagree with me, id use a teaspoon per 4 litres, so use roughly 30 or so tspns, dilute it in a cup or two of tank water as you go, and only add the salt gradually, over a day or two. Shae Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Formalin is pretty good for treating some things but it has some limitations. The white precipitate that forms on the bottom of the bottle is highly toxic to fish and it can cause temporary sterility in fish. It is generally used for viruses and flukes. The pet shop should have either brooklands mixture or furan if you want to use chemicals. I have used analytical grade formaldehyde but I wouldn't use it for white spot. I would change pet shops if that is all they have for white spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cath Posted November 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Thank you both so much. I'll try the salt treatment since the water temp is up there and I really would prefer not to use chemicals. So far the fish are doing well and the white spot is not so prevelant so I am assuming the higher temp is working some. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 The salt makes them produce more slime which helps them as well. don't forget to get rid of the salt slowly as well as adding it sowly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Also when the White spot disappears do a 50% water change and a big Gravel Vacuum. Shae Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cath Posted November 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 this is so interesting - so does the salt actually kill the bug itself? Why do people use the chemical treatments over this? I have had the temp up for 48 hours so am slowly lowering it again as well, the fish all look good now but will still do the treatment Thanks so much again Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 plants don't like salt that much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cath Posted November 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 riiight so does this mean I'll be killing them all off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 Hopefully not but it might slow them up a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cath Posted November 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 OK thanks alanmin, I'll give it a go, slowing them up isn't a prob, the tank is a jungle! Cheers Cath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 In my opinion, salt does not kill ich, it may promote the slime growth on the fish. But if it killed ich, why do they get it in a SW tank?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 Unless I am mistaken, most fish pharmaceuticals only kill white spot at its cyst stage. Salt is far less stressing on the fish and total environment of the tank, than treating it with chemicals. I have always found salt most effective in treating other people’s fish, along with increasing the temperature. Once the White spot has disappeared from the fish, do a large gravel clean to remove the remnants of the illness. Shae Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 Alan asked: In my opinion, salt does not kill ich, it may promote the slime growth on the fish. But if it killed ich, why do they get it in a SW tank?? I was curious about this and posted in the SW section under one of the ICH threads. I asked if the two types were the same.. According to one of the members they differ.. and apparently the SW version can't live in FW.. and visa versa. There seems to be quite an epidemic among the marine keepers at the mo. Bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cath Posted November 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 Actually Alan, that's a good point. I wondering whether it is just the temperature that kills because I know that white spot can only survive between a fairly narrow range of temp. It has all disappeared from the fish so far and all I have done is increase the temp to 29* (couldn't quite make 30. I also increased aeration. Today I will be able to get into town. I think I'll get a proper white spot medication. I have a feeling doing anything with salt might just require an expertise I don't have, however I have saved this advice and will use it in tanks I get in the future that are perhaps not quite so well planted! Thank you both of you, any advice is much appreciated! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 I have never found that solution or concentrate of salt to harm any of my plants. It does deffinatly not require any expertise, just follow the instructions given and you'll be fine. Now that it has disappeared from your fish I suggest a large gravel clean and/or water change. Shae Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cath Posted November 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2005 Ok Shae I'm going with the salt Thanks again Cheers Cath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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