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MelaFix@


Smokey
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Copied From Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc's web site

Pond Care® MelaFix®

Purpose and Benefits:

Pond Care MelaFix is an all-natural medication derived from the leaves of "Melaleuca", the scientific name for the Tea Tree. MelaFix has powerful antibacterial properties that treat the wound and promote rapid tissue healing. Healing and tissue regeneration in koi and goldfish can usually be seen in the first four days of treatment.

Disease-causing organisms are present in all ponds. Any time a physical abrasion damages fish tissue, bacterial and fungal pathogens seize the opportunity to infect the fish. Shipping, netting, and poor water quality also weaken the fish's immune system, permitting disease problems to occur. Skin and fin abrasions are an unavoidable part of fish keeping. Therefore the potential for disease problems occur with every new fish arrival, whether it is at the hatchery, fish wholesaler, pond shop, or in the pond.

External bacterial infections cause a variety of symptoms including split and ragged fins. In extreme cases the fins erode back to the body. MelaFix promotes regrowth of damaged fin rays and tissue. In test cases where fish had lost all tail and dorsal fins, MelaFix completely restored both fins to their original condition. The fish's eyes may become coated with a whitish slime or protrude from the head. Bacterial infections cause hazy, slimy patches to develop on the body. These patches may develop into red ulcers. "Mouth Fungus" caused by Flavobacterium (formerly Flexibacter), causes mouth tissue to deteriorate. MelaFix heals the wound and restores damaged tissue.

Directions for Use:

Shake well before using. Remove activated carbon and turn off UV and ozone-producing units during treatment period.

For recent wounds, fin damage, and infection: add one teaspoonful (5 ml) of MelaFix for every 50 U.S. gallons (190 L) or ¼ cupful (60 ml) for every 600 U.S. gallons (2,280 L) of pond water. Repeat dose daily for seven days. Treatment may be continued if necessary.

When treating an advanced or chronic infection: add two teaspoonful (10 ml) of MelaFix for every 50 U.S. gallons (190 L) or ¼ cupful (60 ml) for every 300 U.S. gallons (1,1400 L) of pond water. Repeat dose daily for seven days. Treatment may be continued if necessary.

When adding new fish to the pond, or when netting and handling fish: add one teaspoonful (5 ml) of MelaFix for every 50 U.S. gallons (190 L) or ¼ cupful (60 ml) for every 600 U.S. gallons (2,280 L) of pond water.

Compatibility:

MelaFix can we used with any Pond Care water conditioning products including Stress Coat, Ammo-Lock, and Chlorine and Heavy Metal Neutralizer. MelaFix does not interfere with water quality test kits. MelaFix can be used with pond salt and formalin-based anti-parasitic treatments. MelaFix can be used in ornamental ponds, water gardens, aquariums, and fish holding tanks containing goldfish, koi, live plants, snails, tadpoles and frogs. A slight foaming at the water surface may occur during treatment with MelaFix. When exposed to elevated temperatures, MelaFix may turn cloudy in the bottle. This is normal and will not affect the activity of the product.

Sizes Available:

176A - 8 oz. (240 ml) treats up to 2,400 U.S. gallons (9,084 L/ 2,000 UK Imp. Gal)

176B - 16 oz. (480 ml) treats up to 4,800 U.S. gallons (18,168 L/ 4,000 UK Imp. Gal) 176C - 64 oz (1/2 gallon/ 1.9 L) treats up to 19,000 U.S. Gallons (71,915 L/15,820 UK Imp. Gal)

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Frequently Asked Questions : Pond Care® MelaFix®

Can MelaFix be used with other medications?

- MelaFix has been tested and found compatible with Aquarium Pharmaceuticals medications. Mixing other brands of medications is not recommended.

Is MelaFix harmful to aquatic plants?

- MelaFix can be used in ponds containing live plants.

Will MelaFix kill snails?

- No.

Can MelaFix be used treat koi and goldfish?

- Yes. Melafix has been used for many years for the treatment of external wounds and fin damage in koi and goldfish.

Can I add MelaFix directly to my pond?

- Yes. Fish can be treated with MelaFix while in the pond.

Will MelaFix color the water?

- No. MelaFix is colorless. Some surface foaming may be seen around fountains and water falls while treating with MelaFix. The foam will disappear after the treatment is complete.

Will MelaFix build up in my pond?

- No. MelaFix is made from all natural ingredients, which break down quickly in the pond.

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Hmmmm, it's hanging for me now too? Basically just some info on their own observations & field tests, along with some "before & after" pics of some seriously messed up fish. Seemed like an unbiased report on what it will, and what it will not do. I have some Pimafix, never used the stuff, hopefully never will.

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this stuff is a poison. Not to be used on open cuts or wounds.

AND if you running an under gravel filter. well mpo/e the fish will die.

Could you please explain this statement a bit further. I have used melafix(store bought and DIY) on many occasions and have had nothing but success. What causes it to kill the fish? and why would it make a difference if you were using an UGF? Why would you post a thread about melafix if you think its bad? Just curious

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Quote from my post >http://s6.invisionfree.com/AlbertaAquatica/index.php?showtopic=372>>>Melafix .... I must admit the more I hear about this product the less I trust it.

ONE NOTE - melafix " IS " poisonous if taken internally !!!!!!

I have used this product, Melafix, over a period of 9 months [ shop tanks/fish] ... and I have not found it to be an effective medication. Especially when compared to other proven medications. aka, in preventing the death of a sick fish.

I realize this statement may not gain the approval of some persons, however, in my expierence and the use of melafix / primafix in the lfs tanks; I am not overly impressed with the product. [ mpo/mpe only].

Smokey

[ I will locate the links and post them.].

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This informatiion was compiled by Dr Christine Carson. Tea Tree Oil Research Group:

Fiction: There are lots of “tea tree” oils and they all have medicinal properties

Fact: There are lots of plants known as “tea trees” including plants in the Melaleuca and Leptospermum genera. However, tea tree oil (TTO) can only be produced from a very small number of plants, mainly Melaleuca alternifolia. These other oils may have medicinal properties such as antimicrobial activity but few have been scientifically investigated as much as TTO.

Fiction: Oil from any Melaleuca or Leptospermum plant can be called TTO

Fact: Many plants are commonly called “tea trees” including plants in the Melaleuca and Leptospermum genera. Oils from only a few of them can be called TTO and must meet the requirements of the international standard for TTO. Most TTO is produced from Melaleuca alternifolia.

Fiction: “Ti-tree” is another name for tea tree

Fact: Ti-tree is the common name for plants in the Cordyline genus. These are found in New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Fiction: TTO must be sourced from Melaleuca alternifolia

Fact: The international standard for TTO does not specify which species of Melaleuca must be used to produce the oil. It does however, provide compositional limits for 14 of the more than 100 components that make up TTO. Most TTO is produced from Melaleuca alternifolia grown on plantations but other plants that may produce suitable oils include M. dissitiflora and M. linariifolia.

Fiction: Tea trees (Melaleuca alternifolia) grow only in Australia

Fact: The native habitat of Melaleuca alternifolia is a small area of north-eastern New South Wales, Australia. However, Melaleuca alternifolia has been cultivated successfully in other parts of New South Wales, in other states of Australia such as Queensland and Western Australia and in other countries.

Fiction: “New Zealand tea tree oil” is the same as TTO

Fact: The essential oils distilled from Kunzea ericoides and Leptospermum scoparium, also known as kanuka and manuka oils respectively, are often referred to as New Zealand tea tree oils. They are very different in composition from TTO and it cannot be assumed that they have the same medicinal properties as those shown for TTO.

Fiction: TTO is one of the most powerful antiseptics

Fact: There are many antiseptics and disinfectants that have greater antimicrobial activity than TTO, however, none of them are natural. Also, it is unlikely that any of them have the same unique range of properties that TTO has such as antimicrobial activity, anti-inflammatory activity and putative skin penetrating capacity.

Fiction: TTO is so effective it may completely replace antibiotics

Fact: TTO has antimicrobial properties which may make it suitable for the treatment of some topical infections. However, it is toxic if ingested and can only be used topically. It will never replace antibiotics that are used systemically. In fact, making direct comparisons between TTO and such antibiotics is not appropriate

Fiction: Other “tea tree” oils that don’t meet the international standard are as a good as TTO

Fact: TTO, as defined by the international standard, has a 70 year history of safe use and scientific data to support claims about its properties. Other “tea tree” oils have not been as well characterised and studied. Only oil that meets the international standard can be presumed to have the medicinal properties attributed to TTO.

Fiction: TTO is made up of 48 components

Fact: TTO is made up of over 100 components. Most have been identified.

Fiction: Cineole is a skin irritant

Fact: 1,8-cineole is also known as eucalyptol since it is the major component of some Eucalyptus essential oils. Several scientific publications have shown that it is not a skin irritant.

Fiction: Terpinen-4-ol levels should be maximised and 1,8-cineole levels should be minimised.

Fact: Terpinen-4-ol is the main antimicrobial component of TTO. Levels of terpinen-4-ol in TTO are inversely proportional to levels of 1,8-cineole. i.e. if terpinen-4-ol levels are high then 1,8-cineole levels are low. Terpinen-4-ol is the main antimicrobial component of TTO and to a limited extent, higher levels will correspond to higher activity. However, increasing the levels of terpinen-4-ol above 40% is unlikely to offer any additional benefit compared to oil that just meets the international standard.

Fiction: There are superior grades of TTO

Fact: Although claims are made for superior grades of TTO such as “medicinal” or “premium” grade, there is no scientific evidence that these oils are better. To date, all TTO that meets the international standard appears to have similar antimicrobial activity.

Fiction: TTO works better in the presence of blood and pus

Fact: Many antimicrobial agents work less effectively in the presence of blood and pus or other organic matter. So the suggestion that TTO’s activity increases is appealing. However laboratory work has shown that TTO’s activity is either unaffected or may be reduced by the presence of some organic matter. It is not improved.

Fiction: TTO is completely safe because its natural

Fact: Nothing is completely safe and this includes TTO. TTO is poisonous if ingested and should only be used topically. A small number of people are allergic to the oil and will experience a skin reaction even at low concentrations. Others may experience an irritant reaction if they use the oil at high concentrations. Irritant reactions usually subside if more dilute oil is used.

Fiction: TTO can cross sensitise to or cross react with colophony (colophonium)

Fact: Colophony is one of the compounds in a standard dermatology patch test. In some reports of allergy to TTO, patients have also reacted to colophony. This does not prove that TTO sensitised them to colophony or that colophony cross reacts with TTO.

Fiction: If TTO inhibits or kills an organism in the lab, it will be effective in the body

Fact: Activity in the lab does not always translate to effectiveness in the body. The best way to determine if a treatment is effective in the body is to test it in a randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trial.

Fiction: TTO is like turpentine

Fact: TTO is composed of compounds known as terpenes. Terpenes are molecules made up of carbon and hydrogen in the ratio C10H16. Other examples of terpenes include: turpentine, B-carotene (carrots) and lycopene (apples and tomatoes).

Fiction: TTO can cure MRSA infections

Fact: MRSA are Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that have become resistant to several antibiotics including methicillin. MRSA can infect people and cause disease, or can simply colonise the skin of healthy people without doing them any harm. MRSA infections are often serious and life-threatening while MRSA colonisation is not usually a problem for the carrier. However, if the MRSA carrier happens to pass their MRSA to a person who is already unwell or who has a wound, they may become very ill. In hospitals and other healthcare settings, much effort goes into reducing MRSA carriage by decolonising carriers in order to reduce subsequent MRSA infections. Decolonisation plays an important role in infection control.

We know that TTO can inhibit and kill MRSA in the lab. We also have some evidence that it may be useful for decolonising MRSA carriers. On the current evidence, it is unlikely that TTO will be used to treat systemic MRSA infections although it may find a use in treating wounds infected or colonised with MRSA.

Fiction: TTO will be registered as a medicine.

Fact: When medicines are registered with regulatory authorities such as the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration or the US Food and Drug Administration, they are registered as treatments for specific conditions. Each registration requires relevant clinical data and covers only that use. There is no general registration to cover all applications and since there is no such category, TTO can't be registered in it. However, when there are suffcient data, TTO will be registered as a treatment for specific conditions. For example, as a treatment for cold sores, as a treatment for impetigo or as an agent to decolonise MRSA carriers.

TTO: tea tree oil as defined by the International Standard for “Oil of Melaleuca, terpinen-4-ol type”

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Read the post above carefully.

Some questions / concerns I have:

Can some foods, in a tank, absorb the Tea tree oil [?] and then be ingested by fish. [???].

Can tea tree oil cause amphibions to "smother". ; as many absorb oxygen through their skin [??].

Can tea tree oil diminish the ability, of fish, to process the oxygen in a tanks water.

Smokey

ps - table salt contains iodine.

MPE with the product is at the shop, 22 tanks. When the product was used I observed water condition changes - foaming, odor. Fish seemed to be more listless, almost lethargic.

Also, the motality rate seemed to increase, dramatically, on the tanks that were treated with the product.

Just my personal expierence's.

Others expierences / Thoughts?????

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