Formalin and the skimmer

[liquidfunk]

Does anyone know if formalin will be skimmed out, or destroyed by UV?

Can I run my skimmer, UV, phosreactor while dosing formalin or will it pull the formalin from the water?

 

[Rondelet]

Can't see how the skimmer would take formalin out. Also, UV shouldn't be a problem. Formalin is used a lot in commercial aquaculture recirc systems where UV is employed. I have not heard of any problems where the baths are given for an hour and the UV is left on (dose range in the 150-200 ppm). However, water chemistry, dose and your product's formulation may be factors that affect stability. The main concern is whether the UV would cause the precipitation of paraformaldehyde, which is very toxic (but I don't think this would happen).

Not sure about the Phosreactor - depends on the properties of the resin that it uses.

Keep in mind, despite what some may say, formalin is hard on nitrifying bacteria and can kill of good portion of your population over time. It also strips oxygen from the water by binding with it. Depending on the dose rate use the amount of free O2 that gets used up can be substantial.

 

[kevin2000]

Your question seems to imply that your contemplating putting formalin into your show tank ... if so you might reconsider .. not something I would do nor something I have ever heard an experienced reefer recommend.

 

[liquidfunk]

no no no,,, this is not a show tank but rather just the fish system.

Im looking simply to find out if running the skimmer, UV, and phosban in the fish system would be effective, or if some or all of this would need to be turned off to continue to keep the formalin effective.

I have yet to find this kind of information in regards to Formalin.

Kevin, not sure if I know you or not, but I own Waves. Its regarding our two fish systems at the shop. nothing with any inverts, corals, etc... I know better

 

[TerryB]

I really would not recommend using formalin in anything other than a dip. It is quite toxic and more effective at a higher dose that can be used in a 45 minute dip. What are you treating the fish for?

Terry B

 

[liquidfunk]

brook.

The problem is time,,, I go through about 40-50 fish a week in these systems (two of them) doing a dip for all the fish to prevent someone from going home with brook would take hours ever week.

Ive been using 2 capfuls from a 40% bottle in the system which is about 250g. Ive been adding it about twice a month.

 

[kevin2000]

My 02

I think the dip route is much more effective ... something I have done with each fish I have purchased for many yrs. It is my understanding that formalin is hard to keep in solution and will start to degass/evaporate over 24 hrs or so .. not sure whether this is accurate info but something you might want to look into.

I know this sounds labor intensive .. but its really pretty straight forward once you get the doseage down and all you need is a bucket, formalin, heater, timer, and an air wand. Pretty similar to the acclimation that some of your competitors use now .. except your also using formalin.

FYI .. Soutas gives each of there fish a prophilatic formalin bath before they go into their tanks .. over the yrs I have purchased fish/corals from most of the LFS in the area .. imo Soutas has the best survival rate for fish .. whether thats from formalin baths or not is unclear.

Hope this helps.

 

[liquidfunk]

what strength of a dose are you folks doing the dips at? at 40% solution of formalin, how much would you use in something like 3 gallons?

Kevin, I know Upscales and Advanced dont acclimate there fish (float and release), who uses air wands, buckets etc?

BTW, do I know you? have you come into the store in in the last few months?

 

[kevin2000]

Here's a link to an old thread where I asked some questions about formalin doseage ... think I got some good advice and it might help.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=2732238#post2732238

Most std pipettes use about 20 drops per mL - good idea to test your "dropper" to make sure your using the right dose.

Both Soutas and Seahorse acclimate their fish ... not sure about Advance since thats in Salem.

I visited your store not too long after you took control .. we had a discussion about your possible relocation to another PacTrust property more suitable for retail.

The heater/air wand would be a good idea if your using formalin since many will dip their fish for 45 -60 minutes and formalin will deplete the oxygen and a small unheated container can loose a fair amt. of heat over an hr. period. If you go this route just make sure you keep the temp below 80 as formalin will increase in toxicity with higher temp.

Hope this helps