Is Ruby Rally Pro and Kick-Ich Pro reef safe?

[Gabbone]

Hi guys,

I will shortly dose in my 53gal DT ruby rally pro + kick ich pro and I'd like to make sure these products are reef safe as claimed from the producers.

Ciao
Gabri

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi guys,

I will shortly dose in my 53gal DT ruby rally pro + kick ich pro and I'd like to make sure these products are reef safe as claimed from the producers.

Ciao
Gabri

Kich Ich does Not work or rarely does. Ruby is good for most issues other than ich. Quarantine is best and most effective method. Often reef safe products are tonics and not effective methods

 

[BryanM]

reef safe or not I would try not to put these products in a display tank unless it was the only option you had.

 

[MnFish1]

reef safe or not I would try not to put these products in a display tank unless it was the only option you had.

I generally agree with you - but what is your reasoning if it's 'reef safe'? One issue is you don't really know the actual volume of water you have in your tank - but there are calculator/estimators to handle that. Not debating with you- just curious as to your rationale?

 

[Lavey29]

I generally agree with you - but what is your reasoning if it's 'reef safe'? One issue is you don't really know the actual volume of water you have in your tank - but there are calculator/estimators to handle that. Not debating with you- just curious as to your rationale?

Do we really know how bad chemical treatments affect the overall biome in our tanks? This is probably one of the most important reasons to set up a separate QT.

 

[MnFish1]

Do we really know how bad chemical treatments affect the overall biome in our tanks? This is probably one of the most important reasons to set up a separate QT.

No - but - I'm not sure we even know what needs to be in the 'biome' of our tanks. However, I think the general answer is not to use products like this in display tanks (which I think was your point - and if so I agree with you). One of the main reasons, though, to set up a QT is that we know that copper at even low concentrations will kill invertebrates. Other medications (specific antibiotics) may affect filtration, etc. Just like in people one antibiotic will not kill xxx bacteria, whereas the same antibiotic will kill all yyy bacteria.

 

[Lavey29]

No - but - I'm not sure we even know what needs to be in the 'biome' of our tanks. However, I think the general answer is not to use products like this in display tanks (which I think was your point - and if so I agree with you). One of the main reasons, though, to set up a QT is that we know that copper at even low concentrations will kill invertebrates. Other medications (specific antibiotics) may affect filtration, etc. Just like in people one antibiotic will not kill xxx bacteria, whereas the same antibiotic will kill all yyy bacteria.

I agree with you. I just think cutting out harsh chemicals like algecides and antibiotics from your DT benefits your system overall. I know people sometimes have no alternatives and I have dosed ciprofloaxin like 3 years back but knowing what I have learned now, I would certainly say that is a last option and not a standard remedy. We really don't know what these manufacturers are putting in their products or what their definition of "reef safe" really is. Perhaps it means it won't nuke your corals overnight but what about several months down the road as they withered away due to a damaged biome?

But I think we all agree QT is the preferred option and safer overall for your tank and inhabitants however not everyone can do it .

 

[MnFish1]

I agree with you. I just think cutting out harsh chemicals like algecides and antibiotics from your DT benefits your system overall. I know people sometimes have no alternatives and I have dosed ciprofloaxin like 3 years back but knowing what I have learned now, I would certainly say that is a last option and not a standard remedy. We really don't know what these manufacturers are putting in their products or what their definition of "reef safe" really is. Perhaps it means it won't nuke your corals overnight but what about several months down the road as they withered away due to a damaged biome?

But I think we all agree QT is the preferred option and safer overall for your tank and inhabitants however not everyone can do it .

Over the years, I have seen several examples of people using 'reef safe' products that either don't work correctly or cause problems. The only time I would recommend this is the example of someone with 50 fish in a 500 gallon tank that would be difficult to treat. However I would hope that most people with that type of investment would properly quarantine everything that goes in their tank.

 

[Zach B]

Very good responses :)

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Just to reiterate; "reef safe" often/usually means "parasite safe" as well. I never use "reef safe" medications that do not list their ingredients, and then, the ingredients need to be something known to control diseases at the dosage applied.

Remember, these companies do not have R&D departments, they may have a few tanks to try things out on, but they glean ideas from the literature and then market their products from that. They do NOT do original research.

Kordon and Aquarium Systems both used to have R&D departments, but not anymore. Seachem may have a more robust lab because of their extensive product line.

 

[Gabbone]

Very interesting discussion, really appreciate the effort!

However, still looking for final answer about "is ruby reef pro reef safe in dt"?

 

[Lavey29]

Very interesting discussion, really appreciate the effort!

However, still looking for final answer about "is ruby reef pro reef safe in dt"?

People have used it in their DT with no reported after affect issues but each tank is unique and your mileage may vary.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Very interesting discussion, really appreciate the effort!

However, still looking for final answer about "is ruby reef pro reef safe in dt"?

People dose it in their DT with no apparent issues, but will it do any good? Depends on the disease you are trying to control.

I wouldn't use it in a DT with a lot of expensive corals, I'd opt to pull the fish and treat them in a hospital tank with a better medication.

 

[MnFish1]

Very interesting discussion, really appreciate the effort!

However, still looking for final answer about "is ruby reef pro reef safe in dt"?

The answer is 'according to the company, it is not harmful to fish or invertebrates'. I think the opinion of the people who answered your question is 'It would be best used in a separate QT tank'.

 

[BryanM]

I generally agree with you - but what is your reasoning if it's 'reef safe'? One issue is you don't really know the actual volume of water you have in your tank - but there are calculator/estimators to handle that. Not debating with you- just curious as to your rationale?

Mostly just safety. It feels better to keep chemicals out if you can... No other reason really.

 

[Gabbone]

@vetteguy53081 @Jay Hemdal I remember we had a discussion last year regarding the old Ruby Reef (the not pro version) where they stated ruby reef is a mix of formalin, acriflavine and aminoacridine. Now we all know formalin is toxic to marine life and apparently the new version "ruby reef pro" should be with no formalin. Do you guys know anything about it?

 

[MnFish1]

@vetteguy53081 @Jay Hemdal I remember we had a discussion last year regarding the old Ruby Reef (the not pro version) where they stated ruby reef is a mix of formalin, acriflavine and aminoacridine. Now we all know formalin is toxic to marine life and apparently the new version "ruby reef pro" should be with no formalin. Do you guys know anything about it?

It is a mixture of formalin, acriflavine and aminoacridine - According to the company, the level of formalin is extremely small - a trace amount which is not harmful - and is used to 'activate' the other ingredients. It is not part of the treatment for disease. (ie the concentration of formalin in the product does not treat disease because the level is so small. I believe he said 0.89 ml/liter - however I may have misheard the number.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ive had total success with it and in a tank with over 100 corals. It is however limited to what it will EFFECTIVELY treat. We often have to be cautious of manufacturer claims, example Seachem Prime which we pretty much concluded does not rid of ammonia or Melafix which is Teak tree oil based and simply a tonic

 

[Gabbone]

Thanks a lot @vetteguy53081 !

On their website: "A Concentrated Formula and Broad-Spectrum Treatment for Freshwater and Marine Fish to treat External Parasites, Dinoflagellates, Marine Velvet, Gill Flukes, Clownfish Disease, Bacterial Infections, Tail & Fin Rot, and Stops Secondary Infections."

With which of these issues you've got good results with Ruby reef pro?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks a lot @vetteguy53081 !

On their website: "A Concentrated Formula and Broad-Spectrum Treatment for Freshwater and Marine Fish to treat External Parasites, Dinoflagellates, Marine Velvet, Gill Flukes, Clownfish Disease, Bacterial Infections, Tail & Fin Rot, and Stops Secondary Infections."

With which of these issues you've got good results with Ruby reef pro?

bacterial, velvet, Definitely Brook and secondary issues