Garlic directy to water column?

[JD'sReef]

Just wondering if I am able to use garlic extract (such as Kent) directly to the water column with more potent results then as a food soak. Since we can not use chems in our reef tanks, I was just pondering this. I assume that a good water change would need to follow this procedure within a few days, but any ideas?
Thanks,
J.

 

[trido]

I would personally be afraid of catostrophic bad results with all of my corals. Adding it to the food targets only the fish and the corals only see a minute amount of what leaches into the water column. Adding large amounts to the water column and targeting the whole tank would dangerous IMO. Maybe you should dip a frag in a garlic extract solution to see if it survives. 8O

 

[Ben1]

IIRC the garlic doesnt kill ich, it gives the fish a taste or something that prevent ich from attaching to them once the fish ingest it. Then the ich dies off since it has no host. So adding it directly to the system wouldnt help.

 

[JD'sReef]

Ben, I follow what you are saying. I just figured that since the garlic helps to increase the fish's immune system, enough of it in the watter colum would eradicate the white bugs.
Trido, you might have a point there as to much of anything could equal trouble for the reef in days ahead.
I think I will just do a search to see if anyone has found a good ich cure in a reef tank. The problem is that this wrass is so quick that he will be a pain to catch.
Thanks Yall,
J.

 

[Anonymous]

the only way known (so far)for fish to absorb the allacin (the active compound in garlic that has the antibacterial/antiprotozoal properties) is via mastication, and subsequent absorption into the mouth/inner cheek tissues

adding garlic directly to the water column is completely pointless, re: doing anything beneficial for the fish-it must be chewed/swallowed for it to be of any benefit, if indeed there is any definite benefit

i highly doubt that garlic will affect any sw animal, invert or otherwise, negatively-though it may make your skimmer change its behavior for an hour or two

 

[Anonymous]

i highly doubt that garlic will affect any sw animal, invert or otherwise, negatively-though it may make your skimmer change its behavior for an hour or two

I just had an olfactory hallucination of what the skimmate would smell like after you added garlic to the system

 

[Anonymous]

Ben, I follow what you are saying. I just figured that since the garlic helps to increase the fish's immune system, enough of it in the watter colum would eradicate the white bugs.
Trido, you might have a point there as to much of anything could equal trouble for the reef in days ahead.
I think I will just do a search to see if anyone has found a good ich cure in a reef tank. The problem is that this wrass is so quick that he will be a pain to catch.
Thanks Yall,
J.

there is, to date, NO CURE that's reef/invert safe for ich (caveat: many species ofhermits can take unbelievably high levels of copper, heh)

a search on 'allacin' will most likely lead you to more relevant info re: how garlic actually works, and give a more thorough explanation of it's anti-protozoal/fungal/bacterial properties across the range of animal species it's been shown to be effective on

ich is in every single tank on the face of the planet-preventative/prophylactic dipping in fw, or fw+praziquantel PRIOR to introduction is the all around best practice, ime

btw-catching most fish in most any tank shouldn't need to be a hassle, if done right, with a few days patience- do a search here for the words 'mirror' + 'jar'

also-a spot here and there ocassionally on any otherwise healthy fish in a healthy system is no cause for alarm-i've seen fish in one of my tanks get some a few times/year, and they simply deal with it to no (apparent) issues at all

i'm not aware of anything that 'increases an immune system'-and i'm not sure what you mean by this-the fish's immune system doesn't get bigger, or faster

most preventative/curative drugs/materials deal specifically on the pathogen itself, leaving the animal's immune system to better deal with a smaller 'invasion' than it would otherwise have

good diet, environment, lack of stressors are what keeps an animals immune system functioning normally (read: properly)

 

[JD'sReef]

Vits; that is some heavy ish for a in tune hobbyist like myself. Thank you for the insight though as it is always nice to research what you do not know.
As for the immune system getting a boost from garlic extract. That is something that I have heard a read in the past. I assume that the extract is much like a vitamin for us (humans). From what I gander it basically gives the aquatic pet more balance in its diet, enabling it to resist parasitic disease better.
All theories aside, I am just going to continue feeding my little fellas a well balanced diet consisting of a garlic soak for good measures.
Thanks
J.

 

[Anonymous]

fwiw, all lack of actual proofs aside, i'm convinced that there is something to all of it

i feed alot of our fish garlic at least twice a week (mostly tangs and angels) and though purely anecdotal, my eyes tell me it's worthwhile to continue doing so

it's not a miracle cure by any means though, and shouldn't be looked at as a replacement for diligence/good protocols

the only way i could see an immune system 'boosting' is through the use of hormones, which pretty much regulate the system (and, iirc, most physiological systems in any animal)to begin with

so again, the definition of what you mean exactly by 'boost' is where i have an apparent lack of understanding, in your context

 

[JD'sReef]

Vitz - This is a direct quote from Dr. Foster and Smith's description of kent garlic additive.
"Garlic Xtreme helps boost your fishes' immune systems and encourage proper feeding with natural, nutritional garlic."
Not trying to cause a fuss here, just looking to see if this is just a selling point or actual truth.
Maybe we should all just get UV sterilizers and be germ/parasite free.

J.

 

[Anonymous]

Vitz - This is a direct quote from Dr. Foster and Smith's description of kent garlic additive.
"Garlic Xtreme helps boost your fishes' immune systems and encourage proper feeding with natural, nutritional garlic."
Not trying to cause a fuss here, just looking to see if this is just a selling point or actual truth.
Maybe we should all just get UV sterilizers and be germ/parasite free.

J.

NEVER base anything on a sales, or bottle's description

why don't you look up allacin-it's WHY garlic is used in the first place

anyone who knows me knows what i think of anything said/written by f&s

 

[JD'sReef]

Fair enough Vitz,
I was not trying to stir up commotion, just get your two cents. Let me do some research like you suggested and all will be good.
Thanks
J.