Formalin, but not as a dip.

[jmm]

The instructions on my formalin have two procedures. One is to use a fairly mild solution in the tank until symptoms are under control and the other is a 55 minute dip with a stronger solution.

I've always used the dip as the last 55 minutes of the first and third stage of a TTM procedure. Has anybody used the mild, extended solution? I haven't read anything on here about that. What does it cure?

Is it effective against the same parasites and does it attack all stages of their cycle?

 

[ThRoewer]

Never tried it.
Bassleer recommends it in combination with malachite green or copper against Cryptocaryon, Amyloodinium, Brooklynella and Uronema.
I would only consider to use it against the last two, especially Uronema.

The full strength bath followed by a tank transfer is more effective.

 

[Jeff4777]

I only use it for dips too

 

[Newms118]

Never tried it.
Bassleer recommends it in combination with malachite green or copper against Cryptocaryon, Amyloodinium, Brooklynella and Uronema.
I would only consider to use it against the last two, especially Uronema.

The full strength bath followed by a tank transfer is more effective.

What do you mean by full strength bath then TTM? Are you saying that right before you transfer the fish for TTM, you add formalin to the tank with fish in it for the 55 minute dip, and then transfer? Or do you have a tank and say, two buckets, so that you move the fish from a tank to formalin bath, then from there, to another bucket/tank?

I have my fish in a bucket and plan to transfer them to another bucket for TTM, so was wondering if I could add the formalin in the bucket there already in, and then transfer them to the new bucket.

 

[jmm]

What do you mean by full strength bath then TTM? Are you saying that right before you transfer the fish for TTM, you add formalin to the tank with fish in it for the 55 minute dip, and then transfer? Or do you have a tank and say, two buckets, so that you move the fish from a tank to formalin bath, then from there, to another bucket/tank?

I have my fish in a bucket and plan to transfer them to another bucket for TTM, so was wondering if I could add the formalin in the bucket there already in, and then transfer them to the new bucket.

I don't use buckets, I use 10 gallon tanks, but, yes, I add the formalin to the tank the fish is already in and then after 55 minutes I put it in the next 10 gallon tank. Later that day, after the fish has eaten, I add Prazi. The next transfer is into clean water and I use formalin again at the end for 55 minutes. None of this has ever seemed to be stressful to the fish.

 

[jmm]

So, my question remains unanswered. I've only used it for dips. Has anybody used the slower, weaker, more extended use?

 

[Dmorty217]

There is a place near me that uses formaldehyde in their systems like you're suggesting. They have been doing it for many years now

 

[jmm]

There is a place near me that uses formaldehyde in their systems like you're suggesting. They have been doing it for many years now

Do you know their success rate or lack of success? And what are they trying to do?

 

[tylersarah]

I've used it for an extended time, 2 weeks or so and then all the fish developed immune system deficiencies

 

[jmm]

I've used it for an extended time, 2 weeks or so and then all the fish developed immune system deficiencies

What do you mean?

 

[Dmorty217]

Do you know their success rate or lack of success? And what are they trying to do?

That varies tremendously with who is working there and caring for the fish. They are treating for everything with it, velvet,ich,flukes ect. They get in a lot of fish per week and are held in systems with several hundred fish per.

 

[BlackTip]

Sorry for the hijack.

Which brand of Formalin do you guys use/recommend?

 

[Dmorty217]

Fishvet MS formalin is what I use

 

[BlackTip]

Fishvet MS formalin is what I use

Thanks

 

[Naraku]

do you ever get ammonia spike in the 10 gallon?

I don't use buckets, I use 10 gallon tanks, but, yes, I add the formalin to the tank the fish is already in and then after 55 minutes I put it in the next 10 gallon tank. Later that day, after the fish has eaten, I add Prazi. The next transfer is into clean water and I use formalin again at the end for 55 minutes. None of this has ever seemed to be stressful to the fish.

 

[jmm]

do you ever get ammonia spike in the 10 gallon?

The 10 gallon tanks were for TTM that lasted 3 days each. There was no ammonia spike. The formalin was used for the last 55 minutes in the first and third tank used in the TTM procedure. I only buy very small fish. In the second and fourth tank used I used Prazi late in the first day after the fish ate. There was no ammonia spike but the water was kind of fishy in these two. I assume that was the Prazi. Sometimes, if I didn't have a cycled observation tank ready after the four TTM tanks or if there was a fish in there already that was almost ready to go to the display tank, I would continue to transfer the fish every three days to a freshly set up 10 gallon tank. I figured three days, small fish, no ammonia. Never had a loss.

 

[piusma]

I am interested in adding formalin to the tank for the last 55 minutes before tank transfer. Wondering if adding formalin directly to the tank would be okay without the extended aeration? Thanks in advance.

 

[ThRoewer]

I am interested in adding formalin to the tank for the last 55 minutes before tank transfer. Wondering if adding formalin directly to the tank would be okay without the extended aeration? Thanks in advance.

As long as you keep a pump or airstone in the tank you should be fine - just watch the fish the entire time and transfer them out earlier if they show signs of distress.
I usually do not do the extended pre-aeration before I add the formalin. But most of my fish are small. With larger fish that need more oxygen things may be different.

 

[CindyK]

The instructions on my formalin have two procedures. One is to use a fairly mild solution in the tank until symptoms are under control and the other is a 55 minute dip with a stronger solution.

I've always used the dip as the last 55 minutes of the first and third stage of a TTM procedure. Has anybody used the mild, extended solution? I haven't read anything on here about that. What does it cure?

Is it effective against the same parasites and does it attack all stages of their cycle?

My LFS just advised me to use it this way as prophylactic treatment for brooklynella for a pair of clowns I just brought home. It seems less stressful than a dip, especially if you're not doing TTM ie not moving the fish anyway. I wonder about the efficacy though. IDK if I'd do it if the fish actually had symptoms.