"Ozdude" wrote in message
...

"Gill Passman" gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk wrote in message
.. .
Not experienced, even remotely, but just done some research....from what
I
can see Potassium Permanganate is not the way to go - it can become more
toxic the higher the pH level. Have you considered using
Melafix/Pimafix?
I
also read that something containing Phenoxyethanol can help (don't know
if
it is contained in Melafix/Pimafix) - apparently it can be found in some
proprietary medicines...Also read that an antibiotic such as
oxytetracycline
might be needed

Apart from that it is water changes, gravel cleaning, trying to keep the
temp down and the water oxygenated as you say....

Flexibacter columnaris apparently is quite commonly present in aquarium
water, on dead organic matter and even on healthy fish skin....

Hi Gill,

I am off to the LFS today to ask their advice too. They probably have the
chemical resolutions but I know they don't carry medicated foods.

I read about MelaFix/PimaFix myself, on a few sites, but it seems it
doesn't
really rid the tank of it. I went to AP's web site and checked out the FAQ
on these products and I like it that they are natural and don't affect
snail, plants or pH, and there is a small possibility I may be able to use
these two products, but there is some discussion around on the forum
boards
(particularly Cichlid and Betta boards) that say it doesn't really fix the
problem.

I find this hard to believe personally, as I know what Melaluca (Tea Tree)
can do for human bacterial infections, and I have no reason to think it
won't do the same for fish.

Roy has stated that Flex is present always in everyone's tank, and
considering that fact, it makes sense that if a fish becomes stressed
through what-ever reason it's natural defense to it is going to break
down.

I am shocked at how filthy my gravel was and I can't begin to stress how
important it is you get a really good gravel cleaner that suits your tank.
I
was using a cleaner suitable for a small tank and when I bought the new
22"
one I'd say it sucked up 400% more junk on it's first use that the little
one just wasn't able to pull up out of the substrate.

Any way, I'll visit the LFS and I also am going to remove all of my plants
from their plastic pots full of clay kitty litter and replant them into
the
substrate proper. I am suspicious that the clay in the litter is part of
my
bacterial problem because I lifted a pot out a while ago and noticed at
the
line where gravel and litter met there was a thin bright green band of
what
looked like algae - I suspect now it isn't - it's probably bacterial.

I will wait a while to do this though unless it (Flex) gets so bad it gets
out of control. I don't think I should stress the fish if I can help it -
I
need them to build up as much natural immunity/ability as possible right
now - there is war on!

Regards,

Oz

--
My Aquatic web Blog is at http://members.optusnet.com.au/ivan.smith


Hi Oz,

Just one thing, which isn't really important at the moment...I tried taking
the plants out of their pots and got into a total mess (especially with the
clowns digging them up). Also makes it a bit harder when cleaning the
gravel - a job normally reserved for "hubby" as he's got more strength in
his arms than I do these days - plants go everywhere - (wish he was as
vigourous with the vaccuum cleaner in the house - lol)....at least it is
easier to reposition them if they are contained in pots....

When it comes to adding chemicals pH has to be a major concern....chemicals
can react differently depending on whether added to acid, alkaline or
neutral substances. I would research very carefully before going down this
route. Yours is borderline acid/neutral at the moment in the tank and your
tap water is alkaline as far as I can tell from your postings....I'm not a
chemist so I'm not sure of the exact implications of adding the Potassium
Permanganate but I know someone who is...too late to phone them now but I
should be able to talk to them tomorrow if it would help....

If this is always present in the water - which seems to be what everyone is
saying - maybe it is down to treating the symptoms right now to sort the
fish and then taking a step back and review to stopping it happening
again....maybe it isn't possible to get rid of permanently, maybe we all
have it in our tanks..... Anyway see what your LFS says...

Good Luck and best wishes
Gill