Should I Have Any Particular Meds On Hand To Start With?

[Saver]

I'm still getting everything together to start my tank. Should I have any particular medicine on hand in case I need it? Or, should I just buy it if a problem comes up? I've heard of people mention Melafix. Anyone have any suggestions of what I should have on hand?

I'll go ahead and throw another question in here. After my tank has cycled, I'd like to get about 6-10 Harlequin Rasbora's. Is it ok to buy half of them one week and buy the other half two weeks later? Or, is it better to buy them all from the same tank? (I'm wanting these guys to all swim around together.)

I really want to start a journal when I start putting the tank together. Right now it's sitting here empty with just a piece of wood in it. All the rest of the equipment should be here by the end of the week. I'm in the process of picking out some fast growing plants to order, and my husband has to put in another outlet for me. I still don't see this thing getting started for another 3-6 weeks. I'm getting anxious!

I'm hoping my tank inspires my dad to take up keeping fish again. He kept fish for years...a long time ago. They'll be coming to visit in May so I might wait until he is here so we can do it together. I think he'd enjoy that. He's been retired for about 10 years and he hasn't picked up any of his old hobbies or started any new ones either.

 

[Yazan]

Yes, 'Melafix' is popular. And you should have meds for 'ich', 'funges' and 'fin rot' these are most likly to happen when having a new fish.

 

[*Fishkies*]

Yes melafix and pimafix too would be good to have on hand as these two can be put together and they treat both fungal and bacterial problems. Ich will most likely be the first disease in your tank as many first fish newly setup tanks get this, it is common so don't worry. But I would look for something that treats ich for sure! Rather be safe then sorry, glad to hear your thinking ahead though already!!!



And actually it is better to slowly add fish at a time then to dump all of them in at one time. It is less stressful on the tank setup itself, it will help in keeping things steady if you add fish slowly!!

 

[Tolak]

Remember that most meds do have an expiration date. The best thing you can do is get a list of local shops, with their hours, and see what they keep in stock. Expired meds are useless.

A few that don't go bad are the previously mentioned melafix, along with some non-iodized salt & epsom salt.

If you do a fishless cycle properly you can fully stock a tank from the beginning, there is no way a properly stocked tank is going to produce anywhere near the 5ppm ammonia level used with a fishless cycle.

 

[celaeno]

A few that don't go bad are the previously mentioned melafix, along with some non-iodized salt & epsom salt.

actually, melafix has an expiration date printed on the back of the bottle.

 

[OohFeeshy]

A bottle of tea tree essential oil will be better than Melafix IMO- much cheaper, takes up less space etc. Look up the thread on Melafake.

Otherwise, whatever you like. Most diseases are probably not going to cause too much harm in the time it takes you to get the right med- especially if you can isolate affected fish. Sods law will prevail- you buy ich meds, you'll encounter everything but ich. Maybe some of the more general meds like methylene blue and such, but the rest tend to be on an as and when basis. If fish do get ill, then regular water changes and good food will usually help a great deal while you get meds.

 

[vinylman]

I'm never without Protozin. You can use it when you go to buy fish if you don't have a Q tank; just put a drop or two in the fish bag before it's tied up. It'll calm the fish down before their journey, too. If you can, try to look at the dates on everything; most stores will put their newer stock to the back, so that'll have a longer expiry date.

 

[Saver]

Thanks you all for the help.

 

[Yazan]

Your welcome.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

pimafix, melafix and a good white spot med (we use king british ws3) will set you up for most problems.

while Tolak is right that expired meds ar no good to anyone, you can guarantee that the day you spot a problem is the start of a 3 day bank holiday when all the fish shops are shut and buses aren't running. so I'd say do get some meds in but just get small bottles, whatever the problem is this should get you through a couple of days at least. then check the use by date on the meds and put it in your diary for a month or so before it runs out that you need to replace it. or if you're not that organised then just have a clear out every 6 months