Formalin isn't effective against ICH? what about machelete green?Quick Cure is a formalin based product, and IME is better at providing temporary relief of some diseases rather than complete eradication. For example, I've used formalin (as a bath) to remove some of the velvet trophonts before placing the fish in a QT dosed with copper or Chloroquine phosphate to finish the job. IME; formalin is ineffective against ich (too deeply embedded) but useful against the following "surface" parasites & worms:
It should be noted that formalin is not without its downsides. In addition to not always being well tolerated by certain fish, it is also a known carcinogen. The risk is not only to the fish, but also to the handler of the medication (fumes, skin exposure). There is some anecdotal evidence that certain fish exposed to formalin do not live past 18-24 months.
- Brook & Uronema: 30-45 min bath, followed by transfer to a sterile QT. Oftentimes, 100% eradication is possible just from one bath.
- Flukes & turbellarians (black ich): 30-45 min bath, followed by transfer to a sterile QT. However, a second bath would be needed one week later to eradicate the "hatchlings" from any leftover eggs. Highly doubtful that formalin eliminates eggs on a fish.
- Velvet: I've used a 30-45 min formalin bath to dislodge some of the trophonts, but IME copper or CP treatment is still needed afterwards. However, there is some evidence that sustained exposure to formalin may be capable of 100% removal. More info here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/d...ven-if-theres-none.258875/page-2#post-3070483
Yes, but I would use a chelated copper product such as Coppersafe. And take a week (or longer) to get the Cu up to full therapeutic.
