this thread caused me to stop and think about melafix and all the other "fix" products.
Over the years, on various boards, i have seen people (and made an attempt to help people) that were fighting bacterial and parasitic problems. Many, many times they discussed their attempts to utilize any number of the "fix" products, the use of garlic, the attempts with salt, and several other of what i think of as "natural" or homeopathic remedies.
At the same time I have read posts describing how people used the same types of remedies in a "preventative" or faculative way to avoid and problems; or to assist in the remedy of minor issues.
I have answered many of them in the same way. First to ask, "how many times do you use antiseptics or antibacterials when you get a little scrape or cut"? Then my very simple answer was "freshwater fish love freshwater". If you give our fish just that most issues revolving around the minor scrapes, cuts, abrasions, and contusions will remedy themselves. Without any other expense or intervention.
Why do people rush to suggest spending money to remedy potential problems? In part it is a mind set. In part it is the desire to do good. In part it is our love and passion relating to all things fish. In part it is a direct result of seeing all this "stuff" on the shelves of the lfs and chains.
We get sucked in by our love. Sort of like Mom's feeding kids endless OTC cold remedies that have been proven time and time again to be statistically insignificant in the curing of an ill.
In part it is our general ignorance when it comes to fish. Afterall we have rarely observed fish in anything other than our tanks. We fail to stop and consider the fact that fish live in the wild. They get cuts and scrapes (just like us) all the time. They tangle with the other fish and get damaged. Fins are nipped and ripped (side note. do you know why icthyologists use Standard Length to define the size of a fish as a preffered method to Total Length).
A fish will heal from most "small" things all by themselves. If you provide a clean environment, properly stocked environment (one designed for the fish--not us) that will "promote healing" just as well as the "fix" products.
My opinion of the way most "fix" type products are used is almost one of amusement. The good thing is they make the tank smell nice. See, i have used them--lol.
(i am on one of those soap box things--bear with me).
The point being. Adopt a philosophy--or at least include the idea as part of your fishkeeping approach. Decide you are a keeper of water--and that the fish are just along for the ride. If you take care of the water, the fish usually take care of themselves.
Save the snake oils, remedies, preventative additives, balms, and meds for when they are really needed. Then use the meds and treatments that are proven to give you the best chance of treating your fish to keep them alive. Otherwise change your water--lots of it--every week. Don't look for shortcuts to pwc's. In addition to reducing nitrates and DOC's they also reduce bacterial load and parasitic loads. The reduced bacterial and parasitic load being exactly what helps the fish heal on their own.
At the same time pwc's replace the "electrolytes" mentioned in several of the blubs used to sell the water conditioners. (man, i hate all the crap various manufacturers peddle. All the time trying to convince hobbyists that whatever it is they are selling is really needed).
Spend your time, money, and effort keeping the water clean. That will help the fish easily handle the day-to-day cuts and scrapes. At the same time it will let you spend your money on more important stuff. Like that bigger tank, or other fish, you want.
sort of babbled. but i hope my point came through.
In the meantime google the web. Research disease and fish health issues. educate yourself as to what a "big" issue is as opposed to the minor scrapes and cuts i mentioned.
