10% buffered formalin

[lbaldrey]

Can 10% buffered formalin be diluted and used for fish baths?

 

[bertoni]

Yes, it can be used. What disease are you treating?

 

[lbaldrey]

thanks. Just plan to use it prophylactically as a bath for now.
Do you think it's any different from a regular formalin bath as in will it stress out the fish any more?

 

[bertoni]

If you get the same percentage of formaldehyde, it'd probably be fairly similar in effect, although I don't have any experience with this. California doesn't allow the sale of such medications, I think, and I try to avoid working with carcinogens.

 

[geaux xman]

I dip all my fish in formalin for 1hr without issues. That includes achilles x2, pbt, blue tang, and many angelfish. 4gal saltwater/4ml 37% formalin.

Please utilize proper precautions when utilizing formalin.

 

[Psyops]

I dip all my fish in formalin for 1hr without issues. That includes achilles x2, pbt, blue tang, and many angelfish. 4gal saltwater/4ml 37% formalin.

Please utilize proper precautions when utilizing formalin.

Making sure if I am getting your formula correctly. If I have 10% Formalin, then I would use 14.8 mls 10% formalin per 4 gallons saltwater for 1hr duration? Can you use this for corals also?

Alex

 

[bertoni]

The 14.8 ml is correct. Corals probably would tolerate formalin at least as well as fish, but I'm not sure about that. Is there any specific pest you're trying to kill?

 

[Psyops]

I have a lot of flatworms in my sump. For some reason I have not seen them in my DT. I was wondering if I can use it for that and also dip initial purchases of fish and corals to get rid of pests on them.

Alex

 

[bertoni]

What kind of flatworms? Many or most types are safe to have. I'd be cautious about using formalin on a sump. It might be safer to tear it down and clean with vinegar.

 

[geaux xman]

Making sure if I am getting your formula correctly. If I have 10% Formalin, then I would use 14.8 mls 10% formalin per 4 gallons saltwater for 1hr duration? Can you use this for corals also?

Alex

I've seen WWM suggesting 2.7ml 37% formalin to 1gal SW for 1hr.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/formalinart.htm

ReefKeeping article suggest 3.7ml 37% formalin to 5g SW for 30-60mins.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-08/sp/index.php

The Formalin MS bottle suggests 1ml formalin/gal SW. So I follow that.
About 15mls of 10% formalin would equate to what I dose using 37%.

I've never heard of anyone dipping corals into formalin. I did a quick search and didnt find anything. I wouldnt try it. I imagine it would vary from coral to coral with which is tolerant of a formalin dip too.

 

[lbaldrey]

ive dipped zoas in formalin with some success. not too long or too strong or they turn to mush

 

[tmz]

I use 3% formalin @10ml per gallon of tank water for 45minutes as a bath for fish. Good results and no issues.
So 3 or 4 ml of 10% fomalin should per gallon should work.

I think 15 would be very harsh and dangerous to the fish and that calculation has a math error. One ml of 37% formalin would equal 3.7ml of 10% formalin ;not 15ml.

I do not use it for any coral dips or treatments.

For flatworms ,faltworm exit is my preferred dip.

 

[Psyops]

I use 3% formalin @10ml per gallon of tank water for 45minutes as a bath for fish. Good results and no issues.
So 3 or 4 ml of 10% fomalin should per gallon should work.

I think 15 would be very harsh and dangerous to the fish and that calculation has a math error. One ml of 37% formalin would equal 3.7ml of 10% formalin ;not 15ml.

I do not use it for any coral dips or treatments.

For flatworms ,faltworm exit is my preferred dip.

The original poster's formula was 4ml 37% formalin/4 gallons of saltwater. So my number per that formula is correct. It doesn't matter anyway. It depends if you look at it per gallon or per 4 gallons. Thanks for your info on the fish bath. Appreciate the input.

Alex

 

[tmz]

Ok Alex, I may have misread it.

In any case, I've used 1ml of 37% per gallon of tank water or 10 to 12ml of 3% per gallon of tank water .
Hikari ICh X is a 3% formalin product;Kordon Formalin is another 3% product; both recommend 10ml per gallon of water for baths from 30 to 45 minutes. Typically I use a bucket with a small power head for circulation. I use it for brooklynella and fluke infestation. I will also use it on a fish with a heavy ich or velvet infestation for temporary partial relief before treatment.