Treating infections

[mitch24]

What is the best way to treat infections?
My tang's side is looking a little red in spots...
Im thinking he has some kind of minor (hopefully) infection.
Is there a real tank safe way of treating it?
I don't have a hospital tank to put him in.
And Im completely against the idea of them anyway
But, I need something that won't harm the other fish in the tank.
It is FO.
Thanks a million in advance!

 

[mr . salty]

you need to treat the fish with a broad range antibiotic.The problem is these antibiotics can also kill the nitrafying bacteria in your tank. So you are kinda stuck with using a hospital tank. May I ask why you are compleatly against uaing them??

 

[mitch24]

Well...
Besides the fact that I don't have the space, money, patience, etc to set one up
I always felt that taking a fish that's already sick out of their home to treat it and then putting it back can do more harm than good.
Between the struggle with the net, the trauma of the move, etc... I just get bad feelings about it. I know Im probably being ignorant...
I only have 3 fish in my tank right now, and believe it or not, I have 3 fluval 404s setup for a long time now.
Do you think the med will kill all that bacteria?
If so, is there another option?
Also, how long do the meds last for in the tank? If I use it and it starts killing my bacteria, when does it stop killing the bacteria?!?
Sorry for all the confusion, but I don't know a thing about treating infections.
But I have to do something, cause now his head is looking on the red side also...
Thanks a million, Mr. Salty!!!

 

[mr . salty]

A hospital tank does not need to be a big deal. A 10 gallon tank($10) One small powerhead with a sponge filter($25)and maybe a small heater($10)Thats really all you need.No substrate,no fancy filter,Dont even need a light as this should be a low light* low stress enviroment. You don't even need to cycle it.Just fill the hospital with water out of your main tank,and watch the quality closly. All together it can be done in less than a halph an hour for under $50.

 

[wrassefan]

I agree with using a hospital tank in treating with an antibiotic but I do disagree with slk3599 that it will kill all the bacteria. I've used saltwater Maracyn and Maracyn II in FO tanks without going thru a cycle again. It can kill some but just keep an eye on the water specs. Remove the carbon and treat as directed. I would also increase the temp to 80. When treatment is over, do a 30 percent water change. Why do you have 3 fluvals?? Is your tank huge??

 

[mitch24]

Thanks everyone!
Bacteria infections are caused by poor handling, poor water conditions, poor diet,
high temperatures, over crowded tanks, low oxygen in the tank, stress.
>>>>>>>>>
I don't really have any of that. Maybe it isn't a bacterial infection? I don't know... I've had the Tang for over a year now and he's always been fine. He started looking a little red a week or so ago, and after I put in the new flame angel, it seems to have gotten worse. That could be from some stree I guess...
I don't have 3 fluvals for any rational reason I've had one from the beginning and then I came into one... Then a few months ago, I got one as a gift. I figured that instead of letting them collect dust in the garage, I would hook them up
its only a 75 gallon tank.
I'm probably going to take your advice and set up a small hospital tank.
But Im not going to move the tang for a while, because I want to see if he gets better on his own...
How long would I leave a fish in a hospital tank for? Until all signs of sickness are gone?
Do I do regular water changes on the hospital tank with water from my show tank?
Thanks a million guys, I really appreciate the help!!!