Melafix..who uses it for dips?

[kev apsley]

Come to find that Melafix is very useful for knocking off aefw and red bugs when dipping. Anybody else use it?

 

[kaserpick]

What's the dosage that you're using and how long? I've never used it for dipping, but I'm interested. Was it harsh on the corals? Did they lose any color?

 

[kev apsley]

Kasey, I have been doing 4 capfuls per gallon, similar to what coral revive recommends. It's all natural "tea tree oil" but no definitive guidline is set for dosing strenghts, I would lean toward observation and the "less is more" approach to keep it safe for your corals, no discoloration occured on my corals. I was turned onto this by a coworker and gotta say the results I've seen are very, very encouraging!

 

[returnofsid]

I use it, at a similar dosage. I have found that it will remove things that other stuff won't touch. I once dipped a Zoanthid colony, in a very strong dose of FWE, then a dose of Iodine, then Melafix. It wasn't until the Melafix, that a fairly large isopod came off the colony. It turned out to be a harmless isopod, but it was a learning experience.

I've also noticed that, with Melafix, corals seem much less stressed, after a treatment, than with some other treatments I've used.

 

[kev apsley]

Ditto, I am pretty amazed with Melafix, it seems to have a real knock-out punch that I've never experienced with other so called "coral dips"

I use it, at a similar dosage. I have found that it will remove things that other stuff won't touch. I once dipped a Zoanthid colony, in a very strong dose of FWE, then a dose of Iodine, then Melafix. It wasn't until the Melafix, that a fairly large isopod came off the colony. It turned out to be a harmless isopod, but it was a learning experience.

I've also noticed that, with Melafix, corals seem much less stressed, after a treatment, than with some other treatments I've used.

 

[29reef]

Yeah I agree it's less harsh than revive. I still had issues with it and some "deepwater" acros in some cases. It's always good to do a few dips IMO. I dip according to coral and pests.

 

[SanJuan]

Do you guys use regular Melafix? or Marine Melafix?
Whats the difference between them?

 

[2006]

If I remember correctly Melafix Marine has 2x of the active ingredient versus the FW version. I use the recommended dosage on the bottle: 20ml/0.5gal 3-5 minutes. This stuff saved a few of my expensive acan colonies.

 

[sfexplicit]

Good to know. Thanks for the tips.

 

[SanJuan]

If I remember correctly Melafix Marine has 2x of the active ingredient versus the FW version. I use the recommended dosage on the bottle: 20ml/0.5gal 3-5 minutes. This stuff saved a few of my expensive acan colonies.

Thank You :thumbsup:

 

[Reeferland]

i have used them also, great for FW but doesnt seem to knock off red bug.

 

[kaserpick]

Kasey, I have been doing 4 capfuls per gallon, similar to what coral revive recommends. It's all natural "tea tree oil" but no definitive guidline is set for dosing strenghts, I would lean toward observation and the "less is more" approach to keep it safe for your corals, no discoloration occured on my corals. I was turned onto this by a coworker and gotta say the results I've seen are very, very encouraging!

Thanks for your experience and information! :thumbsup: Are you using the Marine Melafix or the freshwater version? It's always to good to find a dip that works well without stressing the corals so much.

 

[robert55?]

This is great info always good to know thanks. I used Melafix in my south American Cichlids tanks for years when they would get torn fins from fighting it works great keeps fish healthy!:dance:

 

[returnofsid]

Do you guys use regular Melafix? or Marine Melafix?
Whats the difference between them?

A couple years ago, I spoke to an API rep, who told me that the difference between the regular Melafix and the Marine Melafix was the label...lol. He said they're identical formulations.

 

[kev apsley]

I'v been using the Marine Melafix.

Thanks for your experience and information! :thumbsup: Are you using the Marine Melafix or the freshwater version? It's always to good to find a dip that works well without stressing the corals so much.

 

[2006]

I stand corrected.

From a thread I posted in 2008 after comparing them at the LFS.

"Melafix has 1% Melaleuca and the Melafix Marine has 1.25% Melaleuca. That is the only listed ingredient, I guess the rest is water."

 

[fishoutofwater]

They did that so the saltwater people would feel comforable using it. Once they did that they sold more. The rep I talked to also said you can use the pond formula since it's more concentrated. I have used the pond formula for a long time in saltwater fish only tanks and a couple times with dipping but that's the extent of it.

 

[Tahoe Reefer]

I"ve used Melafix Marine for years to dip corals, fish and even to treat hard to catch fish in the reef. I will use up to 2x the dose on the bottle in the reef and 6x for a dip.

 

[surfjeepzx]

I just bought some this morning and dipped a few acros suspected of aefw. Serpant stars fell off, Asterina fell off, and a bunch of super duper almost invisible I don't know whats. Even with a 10x magnifying glass they were so small they were hard to see. They looked like planaria worms but clear colored. I thought I could see a forked tail on some as they were in their death wiggles. Hard to tell. The corals didn't flinch. I'll find out tonight when I get home what the corals I dipped look like.

I'm impressed with the initial trial dips. Iused a qt tupperware container and mixed 5 ml initially which would be the correct dipping dosage. After a few minutes I watched as the serpants died, the asterina was toast immediately and the teeny tiny worms slowly stopped moving then seemed to dissolve. There was also some ultra tiny black looking worms that wiggled to the death also. I swirled the corals in the water and used my finger to swirl the water other times.

I was short on time this morning as I had to get to work but I will continue to dip all remaining frags whether they look effected or not just to see what falls off. My intention is to treat the whole tank. Many of my acros are encrusted and I wont remove the rock work unless it becomes my last option.