To clear up some of the questions I see on the board related to BettaFix and MelaFix, I thought I would explain to anyone interested the difference.
Both medications have only one active ingredient - Melaleuca. This is the active compound in Tea Tree Oil. A little more about Tea Tree:
"The oil of the humble tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), one of the great survivors in Australia's harsh climate, is widely used as a medication, although there have been few proper clinical trials to confirm its efficacy.
The only place M.alternifolia occurs naturally is in a relatively small area of northern New South Wales. But there are already a number of plantations producing about 100 tonnes of tea tree oil annually, which is sold to companies that include it in a wide range of products - shampoos, hair conditioners, soap, cream, gel, lotions, even toothpaste. It is also included in liniments, foot balms, insect repellents and germicides.
University of Western Australia microbiologist Dr Tom Riley, and PhD student Christina Carson have found that the oil will kill many bacteria present in a number of common infections, including some of the staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria. There are also unconfirmed reports that it is effective against cold sores and herpes. Like eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil should not be administered orally.
Dr Riley is confident that tea tree oil is effective as an antiseptic and disinfectant, useful for minor cuts and abrasions, and as it penetrates the skin it is effective for complaints such as acne. It is also believed to have been successfully employed in treating vaginal infections.
Tea tree oil has been used on a small scale as a medication ever since European settlement more than two centuries ago. Aborigines used it - in a non-processed form - as a treatment for headaches, other pain, colds and as an insect repellent."
From The Melaleuca Page.
MelaFix - MelaFix is 1.0% Melaleuca. It is the more concentrated, or stronger, of the two remedies.
BettaFix - BettaFix is 0.2% Melaleuca. It is less concentrated than Melafix, by 80%. This means for every one drop of Melafix, you would need 5 drops of BettaFix to get the same amount of Melaleuca.
Many people believe that MelaFix is harmful to bettas, and recommend using BettaFix. However, knowing what you now know, you can see that MelaFix and BettaFix are the same - you will simply need to dilute one drop of MelaFix into 4 drops of water in order to have the equivilent of one drop of BettaFix. Or, you can simply use one drop of Melafix in place of 5 drops of BettaFix!
Edited to add:
A note on PimaFix - PimaFix, By the makers of MelaFix and BettaFix, is not Melaleuca. The active ingredient in this natural antifungal/antibacterial medication is the active compound in Pimenta racemosa. In PimaFix, the concentration is 1.0% of this compound. Pimenta racemosa, or West Indian Bay, is a member of the Myrtle family. It has been used as an herbal remedy for ages, for things such as rheumatism, muscle pain, neuralgia, dental infections, diarrhea, skin infections, colds & flu, and poor circulation.
More info:
API® PIMAFIX fish remedy is an all-natural, antifungal remedy for fish fungal infections, with a formula derived from the West Indian Bay Tree – a proven natural antifungal. API PIMAFIX fish remedy rapidly treats cottony growth, mouth, body fungus, and the reddening of the fins and body, in addition to both internal and external bacterial infections.
API PIMAFIX fish remedy will not adversely affect the biological filter, alter pH, or discolor water, and has been formulated to use in conjunction with MELAFIX™ fish remedy to enhance effectiveness against fish diseases.
From Company's website
I have never used PimaFix, so I do not know if it is safe for bettas. (Edited to add - I have since purchased some PimaFix, and treated some lethargic bettas with it as a general tonic. I used it at about half strength, and eveyone was fine. This is not to say that it is absolutely safe for bettas - just thought I'd update on my experience with it so far.)
Both medications have only one active ingredient - Melaleuca. This is the active compound in Tea Tree Oil. A little more about Tea Tree:
"The oil of the humble tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), one of the great survivors in Australia's harsh climate, is widely used as a medication, although there have been few proper clinical trials to confirm its efficacy.
The only place M.alternifolia occurs naturally is in a relatively small area of northern New South Wales. But there are already a number of plantations producing about 100 tonnes of tea tree oil annually, which is sold to companies that include it in a wide range of products - shampoos, hair conditioners, soap, cream, gel, lotions, even toothpaste. It is also included in liniments, foot balms, insect repellents and germicides.
University of Western Australia microbiologist Dr Tom Riley, and PhD student Christina Carson have found that the oil will kill many bacteria present in a number of common infections, including some of the staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria. There are also unconfirmed reports that it is effective against cold sores and herpes. Like eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil should not be administered orally.
Dr Riley is confident that tea tree oil is effective as an antiseptic and disinfectant, useful for minor cuts and abrasions, and as it penetrates the skin it is effective for complaints such as acne. It is also believed to have been successfully employed in treating vaginal infections.
Tea tree oil has been used on a small scale as a medication ever since European settlement more than two centuries ago. Aborigines used it - in a non-processed form - as a treatment for headaches, other pain, colds and as an insect repellent."
From The Melaleuca Page.
MelaFix - MelaFix is 1.0% Melaleuca. It is the more concentrated, or stronger, of the two remedies.
BettaFix - BettaFix is 0.2% Melaleuca. It is less concentrated than Melafix, by 80%. This means for every one drop of Melafix, you would need 5 drops of BettaFix to get the same amount of Melaleuca.
Many people believe that MelaFix is harmful to bettas, and recommend using BettaFix. However, knowing what you now know, you can see that MelaFix and BettaFix are the same - you will simply need to dilute one drop of MelaFix into 4 drops of water in order to have the equivilent of one drop of BettaFix. Or, you can simply use one drop of Melafix in place of 5 drops of BettaFix!
Edited to add:
A note on PimaFix - PimaFix, By the makers of MelaFix and BettaFix, is not Melaleuca. The active ingredient in this natural antifungal/antibacterial medication is the active compound in Pimenta racemosa. In PimaFix, the concentration is 1.0% of this compound. Pimenta racemosa, or West Indian Bay, is a member of the Myrtle family. It has been used as an herbal remedy for ages, for things such as rheumatism, muscle pain, neuralgia, dental infections, diarrhea, skin infections, colds & flu, and poor circulation.
More info:
API® PIMAFIX fish remedy is an all-natural, antifungal remedy for fish fungal infections, with a formula derived from the West Indian Bay Tree – a proven natural antifungal. API PIMAFIX fish remedy rapidly treats cottony growth, mouth, body fungus, and the reddening of the fins and body, in addition to both internal and external bacterial infections.
API PIMAFIX fish remedy will not adversely affect the biological filter, alter pH, or discolor water, and has been formulated to use in conjunction with MELAFIX™ fish remedy to enhance effectiveness against fish diseases.
From Company's website
I have never used PimaFix, so I do not know if it is safe for bettas. (Edited to add - I have since purchased some PimaFix, and treated some lethargic bettas with it as a general tonic. I used it at about half strength, and eveyone was fine. This is not to say that it is absolutely safe for bettas - just thought I'd update on my experience with it so far.)
lol
