What should I keep on hand

[virginiadiver69]

I have just started my main tank cycle and am now moving on to set up a hospital/Q-tank. I would like to put together a first aid kit and medicine chest. I would rather be prepared ahead of time(that's the boy scout in me I guess)than have to round up remedies after the fact.
Would someone in the know please list any medications/remedies and their uses that would go into medicine chest.

Any other suggestions of what to keep on hand for those OH SH*T !! moments would be much appreciated.

If there is a source with all of this info please point me in the right direction.
Chris

 

[George Gouveia]

well... most medications have expiration dates, which mean that in the mid long term having a med chest could become quite expensive.

The things i see you needing, aren't exaclty medication, but more safeguards incase you have problems with the QT.

Those would be:

- Kordon's Amquel + (removes ammonia, nitrite, chlorine, chloramine)
- Mardel's Buffer-up (raises the PH, in the situations were it might fluctuate)
- Seachem Stability (contains aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative bacteria for the aquarium filtration)

The only medication i would, lightly, suggest to have would be copper.
- Mardel's Coppersafe (for possibly treating ich)

 

[virginiadiver69]

Thanks... but not the answer I am looking for. I would rather flush outdated medicine than a dead fish.
What medications are used to treat the common fish ailments?

 

[Hattie B]

HI Virginiadiver69,

I agree, and I think you are taking the right step for fish health.

This is what I would rec.
Normal vitamines and supplements for food. Test kits for water all the basic.

For first aid,

A QT tank
Nitro-Furazone based medication
Seachem Cupramine
Maracyn-2
Fomalin
praziquantel-for worms

The above is what I have on had at all times. Of course like the previous poster stated some will go bad but that is with anything. I recently, threw away a large container almost 80% full of Formula 2 flakes beucase I no longer have a tang and the Fox Face does not eat that much and I had had them for over 5 months..

Good luck..

Hopefully, no sick guys for you in the future, but it will be less stressful if you have stuff on hand.

Hb

 

[virginiadiver69]

Thank you Hattie B. Exactly the info I am looking for. Would you please tell me what each medicine is commenly used for?
You also mentioned Normal vitamines and supplements for food. Would you please make some suggestions on these also?
Chris

 

[Hattie B]

Hi Chris,

Sure;

Normal vitamines and supplements for food; are discressionary depending what you want to use I use Zoe and Selecon and Garlic on a regular basis. If you have flake eaters I also use Spirnula flakes in the rotation.

A QT tank-to treat the fish, I personally won't treat in the main tank and I have 2 QT's, 1 60 gal and a 10 gallon. A 60 for big fish and a 10g for small ones (these are both cheap ones, the 10g from wal-mart for 10 bucks and the 60 was a hand me down freshwater tank-I personally would paint the bottom too, like black so you can see any parasites or whatever on the bottom of the tank.

Nitrofurazone based products, such as Kanamycin (forgot the name on the first post) are more of a broad spectrum antibotic that treats both gram negative and gram positive bacteria.

Seachem Cupramine-I believe is a good copper to treat fish beucase I have had good success with it and it was easy to use and it did not affect the scaleless fish that I used it on. Treatment for parasites such as Ich.

Maracyn-2-is mincycline, it is a gram negative antibotic. Treatments for bacterial infections. I always have this as I think it is a good product. But remember it kills gram negative bacteria, bacteria that is found in your main tank so if you were ever to use it a QT IMO is the best place.

Most of the bacteria that is delt with with Marine fish is gram negative so the best bet is to have Maracyn 2 on hand. Maracyn 1 is for treating gram positive bacteria.

Fomalin-can be used as a treatment such as dips for parasitic copepods esc... It can be toxic so make sure to read about it, there are alternative to this but since I work with in on a daily basis in my line of work I am comfortable using it if need be.

praziquantel and metronidazole- a treatment for worms, internal ones.

 

[virginiadiver69]

Hattie B!!
Being new to the game I have read voraciously and this is important info I have not seen anywhere.
Thank you so much!