Re: Norman's bouyancy issues
#19
I'm sorry, I haven't read the whole thread - I would do normally but I am a bit pushed for time tonight - but I can shed some light on the Pimafix and Melafix issue.
Melafix comes in 4 sizes; 118ml, 237ml, 473ml and the massive 1.9 litre size. Pimafix only comes in 2, 118ml and 237ml. There are larger sizes of Pimafix made, but they are not generally available in the UK.
Some of the confusion arises because of pond treatments; Mars Fishcare do the equivalent products for ponds as well, under the company name of PondCare. In the States, API and all its brand names are so well known to the public that these pond products have the same names as their indoor versions - thus you have PondCare Pimafix. Here in Europe, as the names were less well known it was decided to change the name and make it one that described the product. Thus here in the UK you have PondCare Medi Fungus.
I can put links in to the websites showing what I mean if you wish but as that would be rather blatant advertising I won't unless asked.
The important thing is that, as long as you are treating in freshwater, the concentration of the product in the water will be the same BUT the concentration of the product in the bottle is not necessarily the same. So you mustn't add the same amount of product that you always do if you are using a smaller or larger size bottle - read the instructions and dose accordingly.
Regarding what ailments each product treats, this did cause a few headaches when the products were being marketed. The problem is that, as natural products, there is quite a bit of cross-over (many plant oils have both anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties). But the basic rule is, Melafix is the first choice for bacterial infections, and Pimafix for fungal. If the bacterial infection is severe or does not respond to Melafix, try Pimafix as well.
Differences between the way the UK and US websites describe these products simply reflects the fact that different people wrote them, who phased things in slightly different ways. The products themselves are the same. However, in other cases products may not be the same, as the US has different regulations etc to us, so it's usually best to read the website for your own country. For example, Goldy's link at post 32 is the US website - ours ends in .co.uk.
I hope that's useful.
Consultant, Mars Fishcare.