Blue Hippo's Chart

[ronj]

no, they are not any larger, but they look really bad.....i checked levels on both qt tanks..amm-0,nitrite-0,nitrate-almost non existant,below 5ppm, ph-8.4,alk?????, temp-80..i am using test strips..the alk was hard to tell, but it was between 120-180..really low

 

[steve-s]

120-180 ppm on the alkalinity is a huge variance, you need more accurate testing materials. On this particular test, Salifert is very reasonabley priced.
Your pH is fine and if holding steady (?), I would be inclined to think the alkas higher than lower. How often does the QT need to be buffered or are the buffered water changes managing?

Will you be getting the meds for the weekend?

Cheers
Steve

 

[ronj]

i am in Florida right now..i may get them when i return next week..the sad thing is that i am missing water changes on the qt tanks!!! i mixed about 25g before i left..my brother is house sitting and has general experience with saltwater tanks..i may try to get him to do one or two...also, i haven't had to buffer any of the water..i have just been mixing it and using it..the ph has remained stable so far..i don't know what is up w/ the alk.?????

 

[steve-s]

If the alk and pH are remaining stable count your blessings. It's not all that uncommon this far along in the process anyway. If the intermitent water changes are going to continue, the process we are trying to accomplish will not work and you really should move onto the meds at the earliest opportunity. Once done, the salinity can be raised and the fish returned to the larger tank.

Cheers
Steve

 

[ronj]

yeah, i come back here often!!!.i will get some meds when i return to La.....

 

[ronj]

Steve, of the meds that i listed earlier, which one should i purchase???? i they there was maracyn 1 and 2, and aldo melafix, and primafix...actually, which is the best of all of them(listed or not)..i would like the best one..i can order it if needed..i started back w/ the WC's..i have done 2 already...

 

[steve-s]

they there was maracyn 1 and 2

Go with this unless they have Neoplex (Neomycine sulphate) and Furanace (Nifurpirinol). I doubt the problem is dire enough for these two meds but it would leave little doubt as to the effectiveness. The M 1&2 (Tetracycline & Minocycline) used together should do fine. Follow the directions on the package and be sure a water changes is done prior to adding each new dose. Treat for 7 days minimum but you should see dramatic improvement after 2-3 days.

Cheers
Steve

 

[ronj]

ok,i am going to the gym in a few minutes..i will buy them on the way back!!!

 

[ronj]

they are ok to use w/ the hypo treatment???? i bought both of them after trips to several pet stores..i made a mistake when i said that they had them..the ones i saw were for freshwater..i had to go to 3 different stores to get them..also, the directions say to use them for 5 days..you're saying that i need to go a little longer..how much longer ???

 

[steve-s]

Maracyn II would normally be enough but using the Maracyn I will ensure this is not fungal. You need the SW and FW versions. Minocycline and Tetracycline repsectively. In full strength seawater, you would normally double the dose but in hypo just follow the directions. The fish will be unbothered by it but the color change of the water may startle you some. Treating for 7 days will ensure it's beaten once and for all. If the dose or the term of treatment are not correct, the bacteria may gain resistance. If you cut the treatment too short and the problem returns, it will most likely not be affected by a retreatment of the same med.

Cheers
Steve

 

[ronj]

You need the SW and FW versions.

i don't understand..i bought the saltwater versions...will they not work correctly with the low salinity????

 

[steve-s]

The main types of problematic bacteria in marine aquaria are gram negative in nature. The SW version of Maracyn (Minocycline) will take care of that and is almost always the only one needed. Where a fungal infection (actually another type of bacterial infection) is suspected, gram positive bacteria will be at play instead (or as well as the -). For that, you need the FW version of Maracyn (Tetracycline).

If you treat both gram positive and gram negative simultaniously, you speed up the treatment that much faster. Given the speed of the coming and going of the anomolies along with the water changes, I seriously doubt gram positive bacteria is a concern here but I think it best to play safe.

They will work just fine at the lower salinity, just follow the directions on the box.

Cheers
Steve

 

[ronj]

both of the ones i bought are SW versions...can i use the 1 and 2 SW versions, or do i need to trade one for the FW version..i am sorry, i am confused????????

 

[steve-s]

You don't have to buy the FW version although I do recommend it but return the Maracyn 1 in either case if both are Minocycline. The Maracyn II for SW is the main one you need. The Maracyn for FW will treat the gram positive bacteria which is most likely not present.

The easiest way to distinguish them is the SW version is Minocycline, the FW verion is Tetratcycline. You must use the Minocycline based one, the other is optional. As I said though it's an option you should consider.

Cheers
Steve

 

[ronj]

i will go ahead with the maracyn 2 tonight..i will return the other and trade it for FW tetratcycline and start with it tommorrow...does that sound ok?????

 

[ronj]

i just checked on Maracyn 1..it is Erythromycin, not Tetracycline...should i still trade it??why won't the SW version work that i have???..it says they are both the same(i think)?

 

[steve-s]

Erythromycin will treat gram positive bacteria so yes, it will work just fine. In fact, I had to go back a look up their (Mardel) various types. The Tetracycline would do you no good here so as luck would have it, you got the right one from the start. Tetracycline belongs to the same family as minocycline.

Cheers
Steve

 

[ronj]

i figured you were confused when i read the active ingredients so, i will go ahead with the Maracyn 1 also....i started the Maracyn 2 last night..the water is definately colored now.....this may be a dumb, dumb question, but will i need to run carbon after the seven days or will the water changes be enough????(i'm guessing carbon, but i want to be sure)

 

[steve-s]

Run the carbon and do the water changes.

Cheers
Steve

 

[ronj]

i just looked at my qt tanks a bit ago...the green water was gone! is it still effective if all of the color has faded away???i put in the second dose anyway...i was just wondering..i would have thought that the water would stay green the entire time..it was actually pretty cleared up....also, i had to cut one of the tablets in half..the instructions say to use one tablet per 20g...i hope this is ok..one of my qt tanks is only 10g...the other is 20g