Metronidazole, Kanaplex, Denitrate/Matrix Quesitons

[dtscheung]

Hi there,

I have a few questions on Seachem's product and would be grateful for advise.

Q1
Some of my fish are not eating and growing thin, and I plan to use Seachem's Metronidazole. However from online sources, they say Metronidazole must be used at 80-82F, lights turned off and dose 2x a day. Is Metronidazole light sensitive? Does it become inactive in 8 hours like people say online?

Q2
Some of the fish with not eating symptoms also shows Malawi Bloat signs like stomach bloating, and I read Kanamycin Sulphate is useful for treating internal bacteria. However, I was told the dosage for internal organ treatments require 100+mg/L daily to be effective. That is much higher than the 180mg (or 72mg) per 20L that Seachem is suggesting. Here are the two links I've obtained: http://aquascienceresearch.com/APInfo/DrugDose.htm and http://www.novalek.com/aquavet/kanamycin.htm

Q3
I currently use a wet/dry sump and plan to replace the sponges or foams that I have with biological filtering media like Matrix/DeNitrate due to my current very fast growing Nitrate level. The sump currently uses a 3500L/hour return pump. Water is drawn from internal overflow with prefilter and bioballs in the chamber before droping to the dripping tray in the sump with more bioballs. Under the bioballs are a previously placed 1L Matrix and at least 3-4L of ceremic Bio Rings. I still have 3-4L worth of media space after the existing media, and I'm wondering whether I should use Matrix or DeNitrate. Although the return pump is 3500L/h, I noticed the actual flow rate through the chamber given it's surface area is not that high as the chamber with the free space is against gravity going upwards before dropping back to the return pump chamber. Given the free chamber is also towards the end of the filtering process (less oxygen), I'm leaning towards using DeNitrate over Matrix, but I'm worried my wrong estimate re the water flow rate. Am I going towards the right direction?

Thanks in advance!

Daniel

[Tech Support AN]

Thanks for the post. I will answer your questions as they were asked:

1) I'm sorry to hear about your fish. Metronidazole is not light sensitive, however, any uv or ozone should be turned off during treatment. For maximum efficiency of the medication, it should be used in a medicated food mix with Focus (binding agent) and GarlicGuard (flavor enhancer, anti-microbial properties, while also boosting the immune system). This ensures internalization of the medication, as it is not very water soluble.

2) KanaPlex is a very effective medication that treats for both bacterial and fungal infections. It is unique in that it does not have to be fed to the fish, as it will absorb through their skin. It is a blended kanamycin based medication that has proven to be effective against internal infections such as bloat at the recommended dosage on the label.

3) If you think that the flow rate through that particular chamber is 50 gph or less, then you can certainly use the de*nitrate and it will function as both an aerobic and anaerobic filter. However, if you feel that the flow is higher than that, you will want to stick with the Matrix, as it will function as a denitrifying filter at any flow rate. Whichever you choose to use, be sure that the media is receiving maximum water flow for optimum efficiency.

I hope this helps!

[dtscheung]

Hi AN,

Thanks for the reply.

Re: 1), I'm currently treating the fish that eats as recommended by you, but the only problem is I have a few that refuses to eat. Is Metronidazole bath the best possible way for me? What is the maximum dosage that I can administer?

2) Do you know if there is a maximum dosage of Kanaplex?

3) I will use Matrix instead as the flow is probably still too great to use de*nitrate.

Thanks.

[Tech Support EH]

If you have some fish that are exhibiting symptoms of disease but are refusing to eat, then Metronidazole may not be the best choice of medication, as it is not typically as effective when dosed directly to the water (it is not 100% water soluble). Kanaplex, as stated earlier, is very water soluble and can therefore be dosed either to the water or fed to the fish. All of the medications should be used as directed, and we do not recommend doubling or tripling the dose. Matrix should work very well for you!

[LabTest57]

Is it true that if you use StressGuard, the protein colloids that attach to the fish can absorb or allow the medications stated above (e.g. kanaplex and metronidazole) to pass through the fishes skin more easily,etc., which will allow the fish to be treated more effectively?

[Tech Support AN]

Well, not necessarily. The protein activated colloids will actually seek out any wounds or abrasions and will bind to the exposed proteins, thus acting like a liquid bandage to the area. It will then deliver a disinfectant to the area, speeding up the healing process. So it does not help the fish to absorb medications such as KanaPlex or Metronidazole, but acts somewhat as a medication itself.