Epsom Salt

Discussion in 'Cichlids' started by Reafer, Feb 1, 2010.

  1. Reafer

    Reafer

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    Hi guys i think on of my fish has abit of bloat. I dont really want to medicate and i herd that epsom salts might help. What ratio do i use if anyone knows? if that doesnt help i will then look into meds.
    Thanks
    Antony
     
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  3. Dirk

    Dirk Dwarf Catfish

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    No Reafer,

    Epsom salts belong on your ouma's shelf.

    Buy a decent med from one of the big suppliers, not the el cheapos, that is specific for bloat.

    Bloat is caused by internal bacteria and the primary reason is overstocking and stress, and it occurs particularly in Malawis. Keep the amount of protein down in the diet as most Malawis are vegetable eaters and if you feed too much protein, the bacteria grow in their bellies.

    Kind regards,

    Dirk
     
    Gert Combrink likes this.
  4. OP
    Reafer

    Reafer

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    Thanks Dirk. I will give my gran back here salts :) and go get some descent meds in the morning.
     
  5. scotty

    scotty

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    Hi Reafer, SERA Baktopur Direct tabs can be used. I have to concur with Dirk that the more expensive medications are definitely better than the cheaper ones. They atleast will give you deatils of how to use them and what is in them, unlike the cheapies!
     
  6. Fonkie

    Fonkie Nelis

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    Hi

    If you do want to go the salt route the ratio is 1 tabelspoon on 5 liters water. Ive done it and it works.
     
  7. Dirk

    Dirk Dwarf Catfish

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    Fonkie,

    Could you please be a little more specific. Which "salt" are you talking about? Epsom salt or table salt as in Sodium Chloride?

    Kind regards,

    Dirk
     
  8. Fonkie

    Fonkie Nelis

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    Hi Dirk
    I actually used both - Epsom and Aquarium salt not table salt. i'll try to get hold of that sight again and post it

    Fonkie
     
  9. Dirk

    Dirk Dwarf Catfish

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    OK Fonkie,

    Aquarium salt is nothing else than course salt, Sodium Chloride, with impurities such as Calcium Carbonate in it.

    However, get us the link or the site so that we can see what they propose.

    Kind regards,

    Dirk
     
  10. sarf

    sarf

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    Hi.i'v personally used metronidazole very successfully to treat bloat in wild caught rift lake cichlids including tropheus which are known for being super prone to bloat..and it actually works even better when combined with epsom salt..epsom salt alone will not cure bloat tho.ad konings has also recommended using metronidazole to treat bloat.you also have to remember that bloat is not an easy disease to treat..as professor belstedt advised..you probably feeding too much protein..rather buy a good quality spirulina based food..it'l help cut down on future occurences of bloat
     
  11. Fonkie

    Fonkie Nelis

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    Hi Sarf

    This metronidazole is this the name of the product or some type of "chemical" that you have to buy and where can i get hold of this.

    Regards

    Nelis
     
  12. Zafgak

    Zafgak Old fart

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    Metro- is availble from most chemists, just tell them it is for a tropical fish tank...

    It is CHEAP about R1-40 per Tablet

    Works very well, we have used it for the Angels
     
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  13. OP
    Reafer

    Reafer

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    what sort of ratio's should u use?
     
  14. scotty

    scotty

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    The best food for Tropheus would be natural algae. My 1000l show tank, at the front of my shop, gets about 1,5-3hrs sunlight per day, depending on time of the year, and the rocks are well covered with lovely green algae. The Malawi's in there feed continuously off the rocks. Excrete lovely green poo! Colouring of these fish is also amazing!
     
  15. shakester

    shakester

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    how can your tank be 610 l if its 1,1 m?
     
  16. Gareth

    Gareth Angel Freak

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    LxBxH dude 110cm x 70cm x 80cm = 616000 / 1000= 616lt
     
  17. Zoom

    Zoom Retired Moderator

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    Shakes... that's pretty simple to work out bud... (LOOK AT THE DEPTH AND WIDTH mate... not a normal size!! DUH)

    110cm x 70cm x 80xm = 616,000
    616,000 / 1,000 = 616 litres.

    (Am I being stupid?)
     
  18. Asgar

    Asgar

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    Havn't used epsom salt but heard it is excellent at giving you the runs.
     
  19. roderickc

    roderickc

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    Hi Fonkie

    You can purchase it at any pharmacy. Buy them in a capsule form not a tab, it works better.
     
  20. shakester

    shakester

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    its a apparent cure for fish deaseses like dropsy which is apparently uncurable
     
  21. oscar freak

    oscar freak

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    ja i use it to detox :) good for plants also never knew it worked on fish
     

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