Advice for Using formalin ?

[Hokies83]

Right now im going to do a 4 - 6 weeks of Copper treatment at 0.45.

After that i want to give them a Week break get the copper out with Cuprisorb

Then treat for Formalin.

My Questions are how much and for how long in a 20G QT?

Does it mess with anything that i should add a little each day and check?

Would really be horrid losing fish that have survived Velvet and copper for 4-6 weeks from me making a mistake.

Im just 7 days into copper treatment so im asking a month in Advanced so i can have the Formalin Treatment down so i make no mistakes! Thx a bunch!

 

[HumbleFish]

IME; formalin is mainly useful to treat Brook and even then, you want to use it as a dip... not treat an entire tank with it, as prolonged exposure can be harsh on the fish.

Formalin may also be useful to treat stubborn flukes, and as temporary relief from Velvet.

However, 4-6 weeks of copper treatment should eradicate Velvet, flukes are best treated with Prazipro, and any fish (mostly clownfish) with Brook will be dead after 4-6 weeks.

So, why treat with formalin?

 

[Hokies83]

IME; formalin is mainly useful to treat Brook and even then, you want to use it as a dip... not treat an entire tank with it, as prolonged exposure can be harsh on the fish.

Formalin may also be useful to treat stubborn flukes, and as temporary relief from Velvet.

However, 4-6 weeks of copper treatment should eradicate Velvet, flukes are best treated with Prazipro, and any fish (mostly clownfish) with Brook will be dead after 4-6 weeks.

So, why treat with formalin?

So whats the 411 on Prazipro then?

After treatment of that would there be any use of diping them in Formalin at all?

 

[HumbleFish]

So whats the 411 on Prazipro then?

After treatment of that would there be any use of diping them in Formalin at all?

A lot of people use copper and then Prazi (or vice versa) as their 1-2 prophylactic QT regimen. Copper kills external parasites, and two rounds of Prazi (5 days apart) will eradicate flukes (worms). After you do that, there's really no reason to employ a formalin dip. Unless the fish was still displaying symptoms of stubborn flukes, Brook or Velvet. But those last 2 would have killed the fish by then.

 

[Hokies83]

How do u treat with Prazi? Does carbon remove it?

 

[HumbleFish]

How do u treat with Prazi? Does carbon remove it?

You dose it directly into the tank (like copper). Wait 5 days, do a 25% WC, dose again. Exact dosing instructions can be found here and below. Carbon does remove it.

Directions:
As A Bath: For the treatment of praziquantel-susceptible disease conditions in freshwater and marine aquariums. NOTE: Not recommedend for reef aquariums with Feather Duster Worms or other ornamental worms.

Start treatment with as large a water change as practical or start with new water. Any water used should first be conditioned to remove ammonia, chlorine and chloramines. Do not stop filtration, but remove activated carbon and stop foam-fractionation (protein skimming) and UV sterilization.

Shake vigorously before use. Measure at the rate of one (1) teaspoon per 20 gallons of water to be treated (One (1) fl. oz. per 120 gallons). This produces a concentration of 2.5 mg/L. Distribute the proper amount around the edge of the aquarium or directly into the filter box to achieve the best overall distribution.

A single treatment lasting 5-7 days is normally sufficient. Repeat as necessary, but no more than once every 3 to 5 days. May be used as a preventive, at the standard application, when disease is likely. Do not use with other drugs or disease treatments. May cause temporary foaming.

 

[Hokies83]

Thx ordered some.

Guess ill use the other stuff if it is urgent and cannot wait.