Using Protozin to prevent velvet

[rubinho]

Hello!

Recently speaking with some of this forum users, I mentioned the use of protozin as a prophylactic measure to avoid velvet during our regular water changes.

I normally use 3 Protozin's drops for every 5 litres I change, with good results. In fact, I never had velvet in my aquariums...

I started using this procedure, after I read that changing waters with different temperatures could provoke velvet's appearance. I could read on that pharmacal's instructions paper, that it cures velvet with stronger doses. That's why I just add a very small quantity (3 drops) as a prophylactic measure, turning off the lights every time I perform it.

I would like to know your opinions! Does it make any sense to you, is there any chemical reason that invalidates this procedure, etc...

Just shoot!!!

P.s- by the way, I've never stopped using salt...

[erikthur]

So - how do you know that it is the Protozin and not the salt that is the protective measure?
Does anybody know the exact ingredients of Protozin BTW?

[rubinho]

Hello!

What makes me think that, is because I told my portuguese friends that were using just salt to prevent velvet (with no success), and since then they never had that problem again.

[erikthur]

So find out...
Stop the salt in some of your aquariums at least.
May-be half of your aquariums pre-treated with protozin (your dosage) but no salt and the other half with salt but no protozin.

[rubinho]

And risk some of my buddies?!
I don't think so...

[keehoe]

Hi Rubin, I use Protozin sometime back for curing whitespot on my little Neon Tetra before. And i actually kill the little fellow with that.....

I would say it is a strong medicine that have to be careful not to over dose. When treating a sick fish. But for preventive measure, thumb's up.

[erikthur]

I say one should be more careful.
The world is ful of small bugs that over the years has become resistant to drugs used too frequently and in wrong (read too small) dosage then recommended.
So I would not recommend the use of Protozin as a small-dose prophylactic in the first hand.
At least without more proof.
There is a risk that you are creating a problem for yourself an may-be even others.