Medication

[Pastis]

Hello everyone !

I have started almost 2 months ago my first tank fish. I am learning everyday something new about my fish, and everything around the hobby.

I was wondering today what to do in case of sickness, I know nothing about that. I know the community is there to help, but should I have something always ready to use at home, like specific medication ? For now I have nothing.

Thank you !

[HayleYoyo]

Canada has banned over the counter pet meds. So there isn't really anything you could get without a vet prescription.

Most things can be fixed by keeping the water super clean, and not over feeding.

[Pastis]

Oh ok , I didn't know that.... thank you !

[Kalinkacat]

I personally think that UV sterilization lights are going to be important in this non-medical fight against disease in tanks.  I know for myself that I really noticed the difference after installing UV sterilizers, not just with algae control but also the incidences of my fish getting sick.

Just my experiences and thoughts.

[Pastis]

Do you use UV in a planted tank ? Is it possible to use it temporarily ?

[Kalinkacat]

Yes, I have two heavily planted tanks.  On my 90 gallon I use the Aquatop 500 Canister Filter with built-in 9 watt UV and on my 30 gallon maternity tank I use an Aquatop HOB with 7 watt UV bulb.  You can use them just temporarily especially if you have algae problems like blooms but I have seen such a difference using the UV on a regular/permanent basis that I would recommend them all the time.  I don't like using HOB filters primarily because of the risk of them overflowing/leaking but I haven't found a canister filter with built in UV small enough for a 30 gallon maternity tank.  I keep a careful eye on the HOB but was amazed at what a difference it made on the tank even in 24 hours.  I also would recommend not using a UV bulb any lower than 7 watts.  On the HOB I also have lowered the flow to the lowest setting forcing the water through the UV light since at a higher flow rate it had a tendency to jump over the top and so some of the water would not even come in contact with the bulb.  Since I do use a canister filter on my 30 gallon, I am not using the filtering cartridges for the HOB, I am only using it for the UV option.

Almost all the UV filters I have seen have the option of turning the UV light off if you only want to use it temporarily, even the HOB has this option.

[Kalinkacat]

Here is a link to an article that Wolfiewill posted here on OVAS which I read yesterday.

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumUVSterilization.html

After reading the article, I am scientifically corrected as to how much benefit is received from the UV canister and HOB filters - however that being said, I really have seen the difference they make.

With medications being illegal now, I will be buying a proper level 2 sterilizer as recommended in the article to help prevent disease along with proper tank maintenance of course.  I do believe that this is the way to go and wish more manufacturers would create proper canister filters with the level 2 sterilization.  Maybe if sterilizers are used more, that means less chemicals are dumped into the water systems and may be a good thing in the long run but for the short term, it's frustrating and annoying when our fish get sick.

[Pastis]

It is very interesting, I didn't know about that...  I am just a little bit concerned for the immune system of the fish, it will probably make it weaker... But I guess it would be ok as far as it works 24/7...