Cloroquine Phosphate treatment in progress

[TheAquatect]

I started documenting this in my local forum and figured I would do the same here on my experiences using cloroquine phosphate (CP) to treat some new fish for ich. I'll try to document as much as possible but if I miss anything, let me know.

The quarantine setup is a 75 gallon fully cycled aquarium. Bare bottom with a few pvc pipes for fish hides. I am using a heater and a aqueon 70 power head for circulation. I have about 2 cups of bio media in a mesh bag for bacteria growth which I seeded in my DT for a few weeks. Also have a thermometer and ammonia badge to monitor the tank and an ATO.

My first group of fish are 4 firefish goby and one red velvet fairy wrasse. Week 1, I just observed and fed 2x a day with a random mix of mysis, cyclopeeze, and reef caviar. After a week, I dosed with praziquantel per bottle recommendations then removed with fresh carbon 1 week later. Another week of observation with a 20g WC and feeding while waiting to get the CP and now I am ready to give it a go. At this point none of the fish show any signs of ich or behavior indicating it such as scratching or twitching.

Ive read varying opinions on how to source it, from eBay to a doctor. The most compelling argument for not getting it from eBay was the concern on quality or purity of the drug. I opted to reach out to my vet. She was not totally familiar with the approach but after describing it and giving her the dosage I needed, she wrote the script for me. Cost wise, my local pharmacy cost me $47 for 18 250mg tablets.

I plan on going 3 weeks and then remove the CP via carbon and WC and observe for another week before moving to the DT.


I measured the internal dimensions of the tank to the water line I currently have and calculated 65 gallons. (L*W*H)*231

I then used that to calculate the correct total dosage of 2g @ 10mg/l. (gallons*dosage)/266

This indicated 8 250mg pills would be needed to dose the tank. I pulverized 4 tablets and dosed the tank last night with the intent of raising the dose over 2 days due to concerns with wrasses.

Here is my issue: I dosed the tank last night around 8pm and got up this morning to realize I left the bag of carbon in for 12 hours. :headwally:

Now my dosage is going to be OFF by an unknown amount as I am unsure how much has been neutralized by the carbon.

Should I leave the carbon in to reset, then dose again or do a complete water change? And if I leave the carbon in then how long should I leave it in to assure adequate removal?

 

[HumbleFish]

Cost wise, my local pharmacy cost me $47 for 18 250mg tablets.

You need to read this about the tablets: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=23179910&postcount=1313

I plan on going 3 weeks and then remove the CP via carbon and WC and observe for another week before moving to the DT.

I would treat for 30 days if you plan on removing CP from the QT water, prior to transferring the fish into the DT. 30 days of chemical treatment gives you a 84.1% chance of eradicating ich.

Should I leave the carbon in to reset, then dose again or do a complete water change? And if I leave the carbon in then how long should I leave it in to assure adequate removal?

Carbon will not get all the CP out. UV is much more efficient. I would let the carbon run for a few more days, and then dose again @ 40mg/gal. You can ramp CP all the way up to 80mg/gal if need be, so you don't have to worry much about OD'ing it.

 

[TheAquatect]

You need to read this about the tablets: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=23179910&postcount=1313


I would treat for 30 days if you plan on removing CP from the QT water, prior to transferring the fish into the DT. 30 days of chemical treatment gives you a 84.1% chance of eradicating ich.



Carbon will not get all the CP out. UV is much more efficient. I would let the carbon run for a few more days, and then dose again @ 40mg/gal. You can ramp CP all the way up to 80mg/gal if need be, so you don't have to worry much about OD'ing it.

I have not heard of this concern with impurities, so should I be basing my dosing on 150mg even though they are 250mg tablets? Or is it taken into consideration when recommending #mg/l?? I have enough pills either way as I over estimated to account for errors/issues that might require re-dosing, like my carbon goof.

Another 9 days wont make a difference to me, so I'll extend their stay for a full 30. And regarding the re-dosing I was hopefully thinking the same. I figured I only dosed 1000mg which is only partially gone at best so If I dosed a bit more, I would still be in a tolerable range. Good to know, Thanks!

 

[HumbleFish]

I have not heard of this concern with impurities, so should I be basing my dosing on 150mg even though they are 250mg tablets?

^^^Based on the info originally provided by Ironwill723 (thru blkg35), this is exactly what you want to do if using CP tablets.

 

[Dmorty217]

^^^Based on the info originally provided by Ironwill723 (thru blkg35), this is exactly what you want to do if using CP tablets.

No wonder there is so much varied success using CP. Between the news about the pills and skimmers and obviously light having a negative outcome on the CP... It's starting to make sense:spin2:

 

[TheAquatect]

My chloroquine phosphate came from ranbaxy laboratories and has a 150mg chloroquine base. So I'm dosing 13 tablets vs the original 8. I guess what's not apparent is that we are focused on dosing the chloroquine to a certain mg/l and dismiss the phosphate and fillers within the medication.