Starting a fish "medicine cabinet"

[Lauren B.]

I'd like to start purchasing some fish meds now, before I get fish. This way I can start treating them immediately, as soon as I see a sign of disorder, instead of having them suffer for a few days before I can get to the pet store. I'm putting together a little emergency first-aid fish kit, if you will.

I know that common ailments are ich and fungus. What products/brands should I be buying for this?

As well, what are other common diseases that I should look out for and possibly keep medications for? And what are the most reliable/effective brands?

[Chrona]

Melafix and Pimafix are great, all natural remedies for bacteria and fungus. They work great.

[cocoa_pleco]

i love melafix and pimafix. One lfs has 4 gallon bottles of both. SWEET

[Chrona]

i love melafix and pimafix. One lfs has 4 gallon bottles of both. SWEET

What are you treating? Your pool? :rolleyes:

I don't know about Pimafix, but Melafix quickly breaks down under UV light (ie sunlight), as well as exposure to the air, so make sure to keep the bottles in a dark place with the lid capped tightly.

[Severus]

I like having a few medicines on hand. You never know when something might come up and it is great being prepared

[Lauren B.]

I'll make sure to pick up both. I'll buy them at Petsmart where they have newer and fresher shipments since Melafix seems to be light/temp sensitive. Walmart carries both, I think, but they're probably not very fresh.

[Faith_at_Large]

I have Melafix and Aquarisol. I don't know how good either work, but so far so good. I chose Aquarisol because I could use it as a preventative when adding new fish and when setting up my tanks, before waiting for a problem to occur, and it is supposed to be good for treating after. I used to have Jungle Fungus Eliminator, and probably will again. I lost a Betta to fungus after he beached himself on a plant (long story).

[Lauren B.]

I read up a little bit on the Melafix and Pimafix, and like the Aquarisol, they suggest using it when adding in fish as well (as a preventative).

Anyone suggest this?....anyone try it yet?

[Chrona]

I add Melafix whenever I do a large water change. I also added it for 3 days when I changed my substrate. The good thing about it is that it will never hurt the bacteria you want.

[cocoa_pleco]

i have a full medicine cabinet. whenever a lfs goes out of business or moves and has a half off sale i buy at least 20$ of meds, so im fully stocked

[newt0524]

Hey chrona

Thanks for the tip about melafix. I had no idea t broke down in the sum, but that would explain why it dosen't seem as strong as it used to.

I have to agree with having Melafix on hand all the time. My Pacu burnt himself pretty badly a few months ago....i thought he was a gonner. Someone recommended melafix, which i used, and the wound sealed over in about a week and totally cleared up in about a month.

Highly recommended

Newt

[Lady Hobbs]

I keep fungal meds and ick meds on hand as well as Metafix. Thankfully, they are needed only very rarely but it's nice to have on hand so they can be treated right away, as you mentioned.

There's another med out there called Lifeguard. It's for everything. Fungus, ick, internal and external parasites and even ulcers. It's $10 and saves having to get a bunch of other stuff.

[ArmanS]

not to sound rude, but are you getting this for your 6 gallon? You seem like your getting everything ready.... with that extra $$ why not get a larger tank? Or do you not have size for a bigger tank? Don't meant to sound rude.

[ArmanS]

not to sound rude, but are you getting this for your 6 gallon? You seem like your getting everything ready.... with that extra $$ why not get a larger tank? Or do you not have size for a bigger tank? Don't meant to sound rude.

[Chrona]

Larger tank = even more money. A medecine cabinet is a good thing to have regardless of tank size. And some people (like me) actually prefer smaller tanks. Larger tanks also equate to a ton more maintenance.

[Incredulous_Ed]

Larger tank = even more money. A medecine cabinet is a good thing to have regardless of tank size. And some people (like me) actually prefer smaller tanks. Larger tanks also equate to a ton more maintenance.
Plus, if a big tank breaks, you'll have a big mess on your hands. That's why I'm a bit scared to have large tank.

[Lauren B.]

not to sound rude, but are you getting this for your 6 gallon? You seem like your getting everything ready.... with that extra $$ why not get a larger tank? Or do you not have size for a bigger tank? Don't meant to sound rude.

So if I got a bigger tank I won't need to spend that $$ on meds? I doubt it!

[cocoa_pleco]

thats why you use a 10g hospital tank- to prevent outbreak and less ammt. of meds

[Severus]

I think it is also a great idea to have a medicine cabinet for any size tank. Big or small. I am planning on buying a 100 gal within the next two weeks and want to buy everything i can so that the setup and addition of fish goes smoothly.