Formalin Dip Solution

P

paradoxg

New member
I am wondering what mixture (dose) people use for formalin?

My Rober Fenner book, who is supposedly well respected, recommends 1 oz (30 ml) per 5 gallons of 37% formaldehyde, for a 10-15 minute dip. Only 2 mins for anenome fish. Although this was with freshwater, not saltwater.

I have read on this forum 1 ml per gallon, but dip for 30 - 60 mins in saltwater.

How do these methods compare?

I have rid-ich plus, which has 4.26% formaldehyde, and malachite green I was going to use for the mixture. I was going to multiply the dose up to 37% formaldehyde.
 
The dosage for saltwater is what I have used to treat Brook. IME fish handle Quick Cure better than Formalin3 but I've never used RidIch. My advice is to thoroughly aerate the water. Also if dipping more than one fish dip them one at a time and re-aerate the water before each dip.
Depending on what you are treating and the sensitivity of the fish you may be able to reduce the time or lower the dosage.
 
Fenner has a book? I'll have to look for that.

Personally, I recommend using Formalin as a last resort to save a fish. I have a theory based on my treatments using Formalin that it does more harm than good in the long run, adversely affecting the fish's immunity to the point it can't fight off a simple infection. I've also seen long term behavioral and coloration changes in clownfish. While this isn't scientifically proven, it's logical & I'm convinced enough from what I've seen to mention it to others.
 
paradoxg said:
...
My Rober Fenner book, who is supposedly well respected, recommends 1 oz (30 ml) per 5 gallons of 37% formaldehyde, for a 10-15 minute dip. Only 2 mins for anenome fish. Although this was with freshwater, not saltwater.

I have read on this forum 1 ml per gallon, but dip for 30 - 60 mins in saltwater.

How do these methods compare?

I have rid-ich plus, which has 4.26% formaldehyde, and malachite green I was going to use for the mixture. I was going to multiply the dose up to 37% formaldehyde.
Click to expand...

1,6 ml per liter (30ml/5gal) seems way too high.

The fishvet Formalin MS bottle instructs (translated into ml and normalized per liter):
0.016 ml per liter for dosing a hospital tank.
0.16 ml per liter for maximal 50 minute baths.

tylersarah said:
Fenner has a book? I'll have to look for that.

Personally, I recommend using Formalin as a last resort to save a fish. I have a theory based on my treatments using Formalin that it does more harm than good in the long run, adversely affecting the fish's immunity to the point it can't fight off a simple infection. I've also seen long term behavioral and coloration changes in clownfish. While this isn't scientifically proven, it's logical & I'm convinced enough from what I've seen to mention it to others.
Click to expand...

What kind of behavioral and coloration changes have you seen on clownfish?

Before I've seen brook once in a while on fresh imported clownfish. But lately I've seen it way too often in dealer systems on all kinds of fish to just sit and wait for it to show up on a new fish. By the time you see it it is usually already gone too far.
At a minimum I do one prophylactic formalin dip with every new fish before it goes into QT.
 
paradoxg said:
I am wondering what mixture (dose) people use for formalin?

My Rober Fenner book, who is supposedly well respected, recommends 1 oz (30 ml) per 5 gallons of 37% formaldehyde, for a 10-15 minute dip. Only 2 mins for anenome fish. Although this was with freshwater, not saltwater.

I have read on this forum 1 ml per gallon, but dip for 30 - 60 mins in saltwater.

How do these methods compare?

I have rid-ich plus, which has 4.26% formaldehyde, and malachite green I was going to use for the mixture. I was going to multiply the dose up to 37% formaldehyde.
Click to expand...

Guaranteed death to the fish dose.....way to high for the 37% formaldehyde. I think you would only need to use formalin (10% solution) at that mix rate.
 
can this be used in DT. will it eventually remove from DT with carbon and ozone so one could put sps in DT.

how do wrasses handle it..?
 
Uh.. That would be a hell of a lot of formalin for your 800 gallons of water. Mostly what I've read on here is people doing dips. While I think I read you can do longer term treatment with formalin and lower concentrations, I think most folks here have always advocated dips versus long term formalin in the tank.
 
krullshards said:
Uh.. That would be a hell of a lot of formalin for your 800 gallons of water. Mostly what I've read on here is people doing dips. While I think I read you can do longer term treatment with formalin and lower concentrations, I think most folks here have always advocated dips versus long term formalin in the tank.
Click to expand...

This. After dipping they need to go into clean water.
 
I went through this exact thing you are going through now. The only way i have seemed to beat this is by deciding to go fish only and i run Coppersafe continuously in the tank and so far 4 months + now i have been able to re-add fish with no issues along with treating the existing fish that got this initially.
 
tassod said:
I went through this exact thing you are going through now. The only way i have seemed to beat this is by deciding to go fish only and i run Coppersafe continuously in the tank and so far 4 months + now i have been able to re-add fish with no issues along with treating the existing fish that got this initially.
Click to expand...

FYI. You may only be masking the problem. Also, copper is bad for fish.
 
totally beating my head on the wall.. I have been doing this for 40 years.
:debi:
just know that the fairy wrasses will not take well to any type of treatments. they don't llike copper based or prazi or other meds.. they are happy.. the angels are the issues.. so might just pull the angels out.. but then again.. this is no a fallow tank then..

more head beating :hammer:
 
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