Need advise on best supplement to use

[ladyshark]

Hello all,

I have reviewed the sticky Fish Health Through Proper Nutrition--very helpful.

I have a blue tang with HLLE. I feed mysis, Rod's for Fish Only and algae sheets (red, brown and green alternated). I hand feed my zebra eel krill shrimp every 4 days or so.

I vacuum the sand and do a water change (about 15%) every two weeks religiously, and don't run carbon.

What is missing is supplements, so I am purchasing these to soak frozen food and algae sheets. I also see that the tang could benefit from broccoli, so will be initiating this as well, along with Spectrum pellets.

The article mentions to be sure that vitamin D is included in supplements. I have reviewed Selcon, Zoe and Vitachem on Dr. Foster and Smith site, and either the specific vitamins are not listed, or vit. D is not included.

The article also mentions adding trace elements to the tank water.

So, my questions--I saw this

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18500

as a tank supplement for trace elements--is it a good choice?

And, which food soak supplement contains vit. D? Or is there another source?

For background: I have a 125 gal very well established (5 plus years) with wet dry filtration and skimmer and a lot of live rock with sponge (sorry don't know the amount of pounds of rock, but there is plenty) and about 2 inches of live sand.

Inhabitants include zebra eel, blue tang, magnificent foxface, red coris wrasse--will be adding shoal of blue green chromis.

Blue tang is the only fish with HLLE.

Thanks for your thoughts. I know you must get this question a lot, tried to research it first, and will continue.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I doubt there is one magical product that will cure HLLE. The big thing is time. Pristine water, a good diet, and vitamins (I like Selcon), will cure it up . But not overnight.

FWIW; I don't think anyone really knows the true cause of HLLE, carbon dust seems to be the latest villain. I've used well-rinsed carbon in over 1000 gals of DTs, have many fish that are considered "susceptible" (including 3 purple tangs, often considered the most susceptible) to HLLE, and haven't seen it in any of my tanks for many years.

 

[caribfan]

I know some people have disregarded this as a cause of HLLE, but do you have a grounding probe on your tank. It's a best practice for aquariums that is often over looked and was at one point in time, thought to be a cause of HLLE.

 

[Triton_Z]

I agree the food soak should be beneficial for all your fish. Spectrum makes some good food, however some fish will not eat their pellets (its taken awhile for a few of my picky eaters to bite).

Does the tang have a good appetite for the algae strips? Do you have any pictures of the tang? I am curious about the body mass and whether the fish is thin and appears under weight.

I add Selcon to strips of algae allowing it to soak before I place in tank, but do not believe Selcon contains any vitamin D. Kent's Zoe and Boyd Enterprises Vitachem are two additional vitamin supplements you may to investigate as Selcon is mostly fatty acids, Vitamin C and B12.

It's unfortunate many Regal Blue tangs seem very susceptible to HLLE and a variety of skin aliments. As MrTuskFish states, recovery time with excellent water quality and a varied diet is needed.

I use Kent's Essential Elements as I skim heavily and could be better with my water changes.

 

[HumbleFish]

I would do what this guy did:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1786961

 

[ladyshark]

Great post. Will do.

Yes, I have a grounding probe. One of my attempts.

Just started soaking in Selcon today and will add Vitachem once I get it.

Its encouraging to see that this can be resolved.

I will try to get a pic, but my tang does not seem thin or weak, and is eating
heartily, both Rods, mysis and seaweed. I picked up some broccoli also, and will start that, along with Sprectrum.

I will let you know!

Thanks again

 

[Basman346]

I used Metro+ (Metronidazole) by Hikari at the recommendation of a fellow reefer.

I used it on my Yellow Tang and it cleared it up straight away. It has been almost a couple months now and his skin has grown completely back and he looks great.

I used the dose per the directions on the bottle in a HT and did a treatment of Prazi as well after the Metro+

Good Luck

 

[wooden_reefer]

The benefit of good nutrition should be naturally recognized but also should be known to be insufficient.

Good nutrition is basically necessary but quite insufficient.

Water chemical quality is in the same category.

Disease control is a major part of fish keeping because we have a closed system and wild caught fish, from different areas especially. These factors cause fundamental alteration of natural parasite-host and pathogen-host relationship. These two factors most be in the forefront of awareness.

 

[ladyshark]

I used Metro+ (Metronidazole) by Hikari at the recommendation of a fellow reefer.

I used it on my Yellow Tang and it cleared it up straight away. It has been almost a couple months now and his skin has grown completely back and he looks great.

I used the dose per the directions on the bottle in a HT and did a treatment of Prazi as well after the Metro+

Good Luck

Basman, just curious. Did you treat with Prazi for lateral line, or for other reasons?