Medicine chest

FEJ · 2026-08-09T02:02:47-0400

I set up a 380 gallon FOWLR tank (never will keep corals) at the start of the year and I'm having a steep, and oftentimes painful, learning curve. Having kept freshwater systems for some 37 years, running a saltwater system would be a piece of cake, right? Oh so wrong. The most important lesson I've learned, and I think I read it in this forum, is that all processes in this hobby are very slow...except catastrophe. I introduced Marine Velvet disease into my display tank; that was when I found out that copper medication cannot be sourced on my island or even within driving range on the mainland. I bought some online but, by the time it arrived, all my fish were dead. Second important lesson I learned, always quarantine new arrivals and don't listen again to those who say you don't have to. Henceforth, I shall be following the quarantine protocol as advised by Jay Hemdal and David Scarborough.

So, with that said, I am compiling a medicine chest to, hopefully, combat any ailments that might affect my fish in the future. Here is a list of medications that I have assembled and I would be grateful for any advice on medicines/ailments I have missed.

Copper Power - Ich and Velvet

Prazipro and Prazicleanse - Flukes and tapeworms

KanaPlex - Systemic (internal) broad-spectrum bacterial infections

Metroplex - Internal parasites, Brooklynella, and Uronema

Focus - Polymer binder for oral treatments

Ruby Reef Rally Pro - Emergency antiseptic bath for Brooklynella, Velvet, and sores

Ueno Fine Yellow Powder - Emergency external broad-spectrum antibiotic

Methylene Blue - Emergency respiratory support, cyanide/nitrite poisoning

Cuprisorb - Emergency copper removal

Prime - Emergency ammonia neutralizer

For back up (not all the above are easily obtainable in the short-term) I have stock of Neoplex, Paraguard, sachets of Praziquantel, and tubs of Metronidazole powder. I have a gallon of Copper Power so should have plenty of time to re-order from the US before that runs out.

So, am I missing anything, other than a fat wallet?

Jay Hemdal · 2026-08-09T08:09:23-0400

FEJ said:
I set up a 380 gallon FOWLR tank (never will keep corals) at the start of the year and I'm having a steep, and oftentimes painful, learning curve. Having kept freshwater systems for some 37 years, running a saltwater system would be a piece of cake, right? Oh so wrong. The most important lesson I've learned, and I think I read it in this forum, is that all processes in this hobby are very slow...except catastrophe. I introduced Marine Velvet disease into my display tank; that was when I found out that copper medication cannot be sourced on my island or even within driving range on the mainland. I bought some online but, by the time it arrived, all my fish were dead. Second important lesson I learned, always quarantine new arrivals and don't listen again to those who say you don't have to. Henceforth, I shall be following the quarantine protocol as advised by Jay Hemdal and David Scarborough.

So, with that said, I am compiling a medicine chest to, hopefully, combat any ailments that might affect my fish in the future. Here is a list of medications that I have assembled and I would be grateful for any advice on medicines/ailments I have missed.

Copper Power - Ich and Velvet

Prazipro and Prazicleanse - Flukes and tapeworms

KanaPlex - Systemic (internal) broad-spectrum bacterial infections

Metroplex - Internal parasites, Brooklynella, and Uronema

Focus - Polymer binder for oral treatments

Ruby Reef Rally Pro - Emergency antiseptic bath for Brooklynella, Velvet, and sores

Ueno Fine Yellow Powder - Emergency external broad-spectrum antibiotic

Methylene Blue - Emergency respiratory support, cyanide/nitrite poisoning

Cuprisorb - Emergency copper removal

Prime - Emergency ammonia neutralizer

For back up (not all the above are easily obtainable in the short-term) I have stock of Neoplex, Paraguard, sachets of Praziquantel, and tubs of Metronidazole powder. I have a gallon of Copper Power so should have plenty of time to re-order from the US before that runs out.

So, am I missing anything, other than a fat wallet?

That list looks pretty good.

You should have a Hanna HR meter to measure the copper.

I prefer Amquel over Prime for ammonia control (search prime here to read what others say about it).

I don’t use methylene blue - it’s benefit is way overrated.

If you use Focus for oral meds, be sure you measure the drugs accurately, I have an article on that:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/proper-dosing-of-medicated-foods.765689/