In-Tank Melafix Basting

[kaserpick]

Here's an idea that I had recently, thanks to Kev Apsley's thread on Melafix:

Mix a dipping solution (example: I use 20ml per gallon). Make enough dip at this ratio to contain enough Melafix to equal the maximum dose you can administer directly in the tank (example: I have 90 net gallons in my tank; therefore, I can dose up to 45ml using the 5ml/10g ratio on the label. This means I can mix a total of 2.25g of dipping solution since it would contain 45ml as well.) Now, use this dip in conjunction with the turkey baster idea. This allows you to blast the dip at the corals while in the tank.

Here's the question: Will it kill the worms? Maybe. I have my doubts, but maybe. At the very least, it would stun the worms, causing them to fall off with much less effort. That means they either die from the blast of solution, or they have a greater chance of being eaten by your fish. I think this could take us one step closer to an in-tank treatment that kills them for good.

Of course, even if this does kill the worms, you would most certainly have to continue administering the dose for at least the life cycle of the worms (4-6 weeks?). Carbon would be a great idea as well w/ weekly water changes to help insure there is no build up in the water.

Another thought is that this is according to the Freshwater Melafix label. I don't know if you can dose as much in a reef tank at once.

 

[kaserpick]

Anyone have any thoughts? I'd really like to hear about personal experience with dosing Melafix in a reef tank. Thanks in advance!

 

[29reef]

It's said to be reef safe... I've never had any issues where I've needed to treat my whole tank. I'd like to think that's due to my qt/dips and a little luck. I would imagine it to be safe but at a safe dillouted dose I think you might not be able to kill the animals you want.

 

[crispyreef]

There is also Marin Melafix. It may be less concentrated than original but I believe it's the same stuff. I used it with great success as a dip for getting rid of AEFW. I also tried to double dose and extend dip time to see if it hurt the corals. i never lost a coral due to the dip. I believe it's a safe product and would try your method but don't think it would kill them. It may knock them off the corals easier than basting alone though. I thought about a whole tank treatment but when you see everything die in the dip, pods, sea stars ect, i think you will kill more than you want. I would dip rocks since frags were encrusted and anything on or in the rock was toast.

 

[kaserpick]

Thanks for your thoughts, guys!

 

[Mattik]

Melafix may make your skimmer go haywire. I had to shut mine down for about 2 months last time I used Melafix. I ended up losing a couple of corals during that time as well....probably from water quality, not Melafix.

I won't use it in my DT any more due to the hassle.