Diy Meds?

[Irf]

Hi all,

I have recently treated my tank with API Melafix and it was a shock to find the price and what's actually in it.

Has anyone ever heard of poeple making their own? I'm simply talking about making up some tea tree water using the oil available locally and water at the same concemtration.

Cheers.

Irf.

 

[helterskelter]

API test all their products for years before their released and this is why you get a guide of how to use it.
They also add other stuff to it it's not just tea tree oil

if you mixed some up and added it you could easily overdose and stop diffusion of oxygen which will not help.

 

[Mikaila31]

I've actually heard of people making their own, but weather it is actually the same or not IDK. I've never had very good results with Melafix.

 

[kribensis12]

The only med i would try imitating is Melafix. I know people that use just tea tree oil, and it works great. But you need the right amount, a little bit too much can kill them. Not enough can make whatever your trying to rid the tank/fish off immune to the med. Melafix is a weak med anyways. If i were you, i would just try and buy the actual med.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Irf

It's been my experience that MelaFix can be very effective in curing bacterial infections.............or not. From what I have seen, if it's going to work it will result in a dramatic change for the better within just a few days time. If no benefit is evident in that time, it's usually best to move to something more potent.

Instead of using MelaFix, I sometimes mix my own which I call Melafake. To make it, mix 1/4 tsp. 100% pure tea tree oil (from a health food store) with 8 TBS. dechlorinated water. Shake very well and use it as you would MelaFix. Shake well again before each use.

Pure tea tree oil is a very light, thin substance which will mix with water, if well shaken. When Melafake is added to water intended for use as part of a water change the force of the water coming out of the tap will further agitate it and mix it with the water. It will then mix with the tank water the same way MelaFix does.

Pure tea tree oil costs me $6.95 for 1 fl. oz. at the health food store. Compare the price of making your own with the price of MelaFix and you will see that there can be a tremendous savings.

Another, probably simpler solution, is to buy Pond Strength Melefix and dilute it appropriately. Either way, I would recommend using a much smaller dosage than the instructions on the bottle call for.

 

[Irf]

Thanks all for your replies.

I wasn't going into the production of complicated meds - just Melafix. As far as I can see it's just water and Melaleuca (tea tree), in a particular concentration (2% or whatever the bottle says).

Thanks for the suggestion Inchworm. For a while I thought you were making fun, but reading in seems you are not. Regarding the proportions, it will be very easy to get the correct mix by good measuring.

I will let you know how I get on.

Irf.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah not done it personally but have also heard of other people making their own melafix.

I think LauraFrog might be a good person to talk to about this, because of her location she finds it difficult to get hold of some meds, test kits etc and I believe she's researched chemical compounds and made stuff up herself. Not 100% sure but I think I remember that right?!

 

[kribensis12]

^ Yes, i belive you are correct.

 

[oakes]

I make my own melafix as well. The concentration is 1% pure tea tree oil. I use distilled water.
Apparently you can also make your own pimafix by substituting the tea tree oil for West Indian bay oil, though i have not tried this.