epsom salts
How do I use Epsom salts? What quantity per gallon of water?
Thanks in advance
Jacki
How do I use Epsom salts? What quantity per gallon of water?
Thanks in advance
Jacki
This is what I get...
- Thread starter jackiomy
- Start date
Jaylin - Epsom salts is a human antinflammatory and is used internally as a cathartic. I've had to use it with discus bloated from dry pellets swelling and bloating in their stomachs. And it works very well and quite quickly to relieve bloating and constipation in fish, producing a bowel purge normally within 2-3 hours. If your fish has lost it's balance from severe bloating, the fish is not going to be able to eat daphnia or peas. With epsom salts the fish does not have to be able to eat in order for the epsom salts to effect results. The only other thing my epsom salts says to use it for, besides an active laxative is for pain relief from minor sprains and bruises. I do not see where it is going to alleviate popeye.
The use of Epsom salts has been referred to as a bad rumor in the treatment of Dropsy and Popeye. Dropsy is basically kidney failure in fish, and results in the retention of water. The underlying problem of kidney failure has to also be addressed with antibiotics, and is very rarely successful. Same for popeye, Almost always bacterial in origin and from poor water quality (high nitrates). While it may draw a slight amount of water out of the fish, it does not address the actual cause or curing of either dropsy or popeye. I would also never recommend the use of epsom salts for dropsy since one of the warnings on the carton is not to use if you have kidney disease without being under the supervision of a doctor, nor do I believe it would be beneficial in any way for curing the underlying cause of popeye.
Jacki - based on the fact that you've not encountered this problem before even when using the powerhead, not until the tank had a nitrate spike, I would definitely recommend assuming the popeye is bacterial in nature and that bacterial infection needs to be treated with maracyn 2. It is very effective for curing popeye.
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I sure didn't mean to imply that epsom salts were a cure for popeye or dropsy. It can provide relief from the symptoms. The eyes in popeye swell because of fluid retention.
1/8 teaspoon per every 5 gallons of water is the recommended dosage. This does not take the place of an anti-biotic. As I said in my previous post - a broad spectrum anti-biotic is normally recommened. The mixing of maracyn and maracyn 2 is good way to cover all bases.
Pinkertd - epsom salts work in humans as a laxative because they make it into the intestines. Unless you're going to give your fish an enima, they don't make it to a fishes intestine in any real significant amount. That's why I say it's not a true laxative for a fish. It does draw fluids out of the fish, which in turn reduce the swelling of popeye, dropsy or bloat. It's the reduction in swelling that gives the fish some relief from the symptoms. For bloat, it allows things to move along a bit better and in the case of popeye can help prevent permenent eye or brain damage. (Fish eyes, close to fish brains - swelling is bad.)
As for dropsy fish and the kidney thing - as far as I see it, by the time a fish blows up with dropsy, the kidneys are damaged beyond repair. Any of my fish get it they are euthanized on the spot. But a lot of people like to try to treat them. Epsom salts, if nothing else, provide a little relief from the bloating symptom.
So I guess you could stay that my use of epsom salts with fish is strickly for relief of symptoms. Sort of like you might take asprin for a headache that is the result of the flu. The asprin doesn't do dittly for flu virus at all, but getting rid of the headace sure doesn't hurt ...
