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Post by heymom1 on Dec 30, 2003 11:26:39 GMT -5
Good morning! Can someone explain to me the differences in these 3 additives? I have MelaFix and BettaFix. Is BettaMax the best of the 3 for helping to re-grow fins? In addition to our fish who is dying, we have one with fin rot. I know it's been caused by not changing out their water often enough. These are supposed to be my son's responsibility but - no big surprise - Mom has to keep up with their water and fix any problems. I have been their doc since the beginning and so I feel attached to my little patients...it is best when they are all healthy and building bubble nests, but those times seem few and far between.
So do you prefer one or two out of these 3, or are they all basically the same? Thanks a bunch. P.S. Jimmy is still alive but barely.
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Post by Jenny on Dec 30, 2003 16:44:09 GMT -5
Melafix and bettafix are basically the same, just melafix is more concentrated. They are both a teatree oil that can be used to help regrow fins. If your fish doesn't have active fin rot, but is still regrowing the fins, one of these would probably be helpful. Bettamax is totally different. It is a tonic of sorts that has vitamins and a mild antiboitic in it. It can be used for fish that don't seem to be feeling well but don't have any obvoius illnesses. It treats symptoms like listlessness, loss of color, and lack of appetite. I also find it helpful for fish that are slowing down due to old age.
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Post by abm on Dec 30, 2003 16:49:49 GMT -5
A further question: Is Bettafix sold in all areas? I've never seen it in my area, but I have found BettaMax and Melafix even at Walmart. If I want/need to use Melafix, but am concerned about the strength, is it just as effective to use a lower Melafix concentration or is there another benefit to locating and using Bettafix? I guess what I'm really asking is, is Bettafix an essential part of a betta owners' 'first aid kit'?
(I am still confused, sorry.)
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Post by Jenny on Dec 30, 2003 16:54:34 GMT -5
I don't think that I have seen bettafix where I am (Canada), but I have gotten melafix from walmart. There is no benefit to using one over the other fish-wise, but I heard here that bettafix is more expensive. If you want to use a lower concentration, just add less melafix and it will be less concentrated in the tank water. I don't know how useful it is if you use it in a lesser concentration than the directions call for. I use 10 drops per gallon of the melafix (corresponds to package directions, just for smaller tanks) and haven't had any probems with that.
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Post by abm on Dec 30, 2003 17:19:45 GMT -5
Where in the stores do you find eyedroppers? I had an old one from my kids' liquid meds that I boiled and used last month for one of my bettas, but it's really in sad shape and I haven't seen any in the stores here - I want to replace it soon for the next round of problems.
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Post by heymom1 on Dec 30, 2003 17:59:57 GMT -5
Thanks, Jenny! That clears things up. I am going to stop in at the fish store and get some BettaMax for Jimmy right away. Can I ask you another quick question? Is there a way to feed a betta who isn't eating? Can I put some sort of IV in him?  Kidding on that, but if there is a liquid food I can add to his cup, it would help me feel better anyway, even if it doesn't keep him with us much longer. Thanks again! |
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Post by heymom1 on Dec 30, 2003 20:09:06 GMT -5
You should be able to find the eyedroppers near the pharmacy, on a carousel that has other medication helps, like pill-holders, pill-splitters, finger splints, etc. Ask the pharmacist or someone else who works in that department.
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Leigh
Junior Bubble Nester
Posts: 106
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Post by Leigh on Dec 30, 2003 20:31:45 GMT -5
I bought my bettafix at Petco. It appears from the postings that these stores do not all carry the same product lines. I just came back from Walmart and here they do not sell Bettas, or Bettafix. It seems as though I have to go to both stores to find everything I need.
Thanks for the answer about the eye dropper! I was trying to find one for when I test the water. Dunking in the test tube doesn't feel right. My betta wants to play with it and alwasy gets in the way.
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Post by heymom1 on Dec 30, 2003 21:17:31 GMT -5
Wow, no Bettas at your Wal-Mart??  That's astounding. At least you don't have to go and see the poor fishies dying in their cups...The last time we went, there was a fish totally decomposing in the cup, which obviously had not been even seen by anyone in days. So when do they feed or change the water? It breaks my heart. I complained once to a manager, but I could tell she was only humouring me and wasn't going to do a thing. Wal-Mart is cruel to fish!  |
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Post by palepinkvase on Dec 31, 2003 0:04:57 GMT -5
A Betta-free WalMart - now there's a good idea!  Thanks also from me on the explanations of Bettamax, Bettafix, and Melafix. In my area I have only had luck so far finding the Melafix. (One of the WalMarts in my area sells Bettas, but has absolutely no supplies for them!  ) Also, I have been getting 1ml size syringes from the pharmacist for administering meds and taking samples. |
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Post by Betta MVP on Dec 31, 2003 1:45:09 GMT -5
I was stealing the eye droppers from my hubby's Rogaine bottles (before he used them) LOL!! ;D Stupid Rogaine went and changed their dispensers though, so now I have to buy some eye droppers. Those were the best, they would screw on in place of the lid on almost all of my fish medications including my Melafix bottle. LOL
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Post by heymom1 on Dec 31, 2003 12:12:25 GMT -5
I hope this is still a working thread - I have another question about stuff to add to the water.
I asked about liquid food for bettas in my Jimmy thread. I found a bottle of supplement at the fish store and the guy there thought it would be OK for bettas so I got it. I read the label and it has Spirulina Algae in it - is that OK for them to have in their water?
It's called Kent Zoe Freshwater Vitamin and Mineral Supplement. It also contains kelp.
Will this help, hurt, or do nothing? Thanks.
BTW, BettaMVP, what a stunning little crown-tail!
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Post by Emerson on Jan 1, 2004 16:18:19 GMT -5
Thanks for the answer about the eye dropper! I was trying to find one for when I test the water. Dunking in the test tube doesn't feel right. My betta wants to play with it and alwasy gets in the way. Just a word of caution: I'm not sure it's entirely safe to dunk the test tube in the aquarium. Even if you rinse the tube thoroughly after each use, I'd still be a little concerned about residual traces of the test chemical. That stuff can cause burns, as I learned after developed some "chemical peel" on my fingers when some of it accidentally came in contact with my skin. Better safe than sorry!  sef |
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Kidding on that, but if there is a liquid food I can add to his cup, it would help me feel better anyway, even if it doesn't keep him with us much longer. Thanks again!
That's astounding. At least you don't have to go and see the poor fishies dying in their cups...The last time we went, there was a fish totally decomposing in the cup, which obviously had not been even seen by anyone in days. So when do they feed or change the water? It breaks my heart. I complained once to a manager, but I could tell she was only humouring me and wasn't going to do a thing. Wal-Mart is cruel to fish! 
