Originally Posted by HatesSushi
I quit using Garlic Extreme (not because of the smell) because it is really useless other then being an attractant. Here is the reason why. this is a excerpt from Beths post in the Disease and treatment forum.
Garlic is a plant with its primary ingredient, allicin, identified, at least anecdotally, as benefiting fish health and even combating certain fungal, viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens, even serving as a type of homeopathic repellent. Saying that, the hobbyist can not make the mistake of identifying garlic as a cure-all for any fish disease. Rather, if used, it must be considered as a preventative measure, rather than a cure post-disease process; a supplement used to enhance fish health, or in addition to employing other established methods used to address fish diseases.
It is important not to use a processed product: bottled garlic. Instead, the hobbyist should use fresh garlic as identified below. [You need only buy a single garlic glove at a time, not bunches.]
Snap a single glove off of the bud. Peel off the skin. Using a non-porous container, such as a glass or Pyrex dish, and a sharp knife, mince and smash the glove, preserving the juice. Once finely minced and smashed, and the juices have been released from the garlic, quickly add meaty foods, such as fresh homemade fish food, or high-quality frozen fish foods. Lightly mix the food in with the garlic so that the food is saturated, but not swimming in garlic juice. Cover your container, and place the mixture in the refrigerator for 5 mins.
Feed your fish, preferably using a syringe or a turkey baster to ensure that fish receives the garlic supplemented food. You can add a small bit of sea water to this mixture to get the mixture into your delivery syringe.
This should be done 3x a day if you are using garlic medicinally.
Allicin is produced immediately upon mincing the garlic glove and quickly breaks down. That is why marketed bottled garlic is virtually useless and the hobbyist needs to use fresh garlic.
If you use fresh garlic it doesn't smell as strong as the Garlic Extreme and is way cheaper, I think like $.20 for for 1 bulb that has many cloves on it. There is a company that makes an item called a Garlic Card ($6) you can get online. It is basically a plastic credit card with "G"'s and "C"'s punched in it. All you do is rub a clove on it and it turns the garlic intoa pureed juice which is perfect for adding to the food. this is way easier then trying to mince it or using a garlic press.
im not trying to get a flaming going into this thread but as for the experts advice (who is truely an expert?) we have no experts on this forum or many others for that fact .i have kept many species of fish for many yrs with success but I am no expert by any means we are all hobbiest..ok yes garlic extreme can tend to be pricey but for as long as one bottle last me its worth that tad i pay extra for easy use(dosing) and keeping.and I will keep using it .what works for one person may not work for another i still say personal research is everyones best bet for keeping their fish healthy dont just rely on other hobbiest to do your homework for you .when it comes to the do's and don'ts of this hobby it tends to be more fad and trends more than accual research and facts