Fin Rot Problems :(

[Cougar Guy]

It seems as though my Silver Dollars have been hit with fin rot. I tried using Maracyn 2 treatment and it didn't appear to work. I know this is usually a problem with water quality but I do vaccum my gravel and do a 40% water change twice every week. My nitrates are very low.

None of the other fish in the tank exhibit signs of fin rot . . . just the Silver Dollars. Other than changing water more frequently, is there anything that would indicate why the fin rot is such a problem? I have 4 of them in a 33 gallon along with a Gourami, some Neon's and an algae eater. I do have a large piece of driftwood as well.

It's getting frustrated not having this go away especially since I know the water should be decent quality wise. I'm trying Melafix right now and I will be changing water every second day (along with the the twice a week vaccum) but should this be enough? If water conditions improve, does fin rot normally go away on it's own or does it need medication?

Signed, very frustrated :(

[beviking]

If the causative agent (bacteria and/or fungus) has established itself on the fish enough, than yes, it does require medication. You didn't indicate a time frame but guessing from the fact that your first attempt (I assume it wasn't one day) didn't work, I would say your situation calls for medication. If, however, it was a minor infection/infestation, water changes alone could solve the problem provided there weren't other stress factors/problems with the fish.
I have heard good things about Melafix but also about Maracyn II. A partial water change every day along with medication may be more beneficial but it shouldn't be necessary. Your plan should work.
Good luck.

[a_free_bird73]

Check the pH in your tank. If the pH is below 7 some fish become very susceptible to fin rot and medication alone won't be enough

[Cougar Guy]

I checked the PH and it was over 7.4 (not sure how much higher . . . that's as far as the test kit went). Ammonia and Nitrates were nil.

I'll stick with the more frequent water changes and Melafix and see if I can get it turned around. I don't have a medication tank so I don't want to use too many "drugs". From what I understand, Melafix isn't harmful to the other fish wheras other drugs may be. I used the Maracyn 2 for the 5 day treatment.

Would salt help? I've read "mixed" reviews on salt and I am not really sure if it is worth trying. Could it hurt the other fish?

[beviking]

I'm a firm believer in salt. As long as it won't bother the other fish (algae eater?) I would use it.