Another Company's product
Seachem® strongly recommends against using multiple medications or treatments simultaneously, as this will tend to be very stressful to the fish and to the biological filtration as well. That said, if you are treating a fish for two infections simultaneously, it is possible to put one medication in the water (ParaGuard™) and the other in the food to minimize stress.
It is unlikely that ParaGuard™ will directly interact with another product, with the exception of copper-based medications (ideally, nothing should be used with copper-based medications to minimize the possibility of product interactions). That said, we can't 100% guarantee any product that's not our own, but here's a few quick rules for using ParaGuard™ if you usually use a different brand for aquarium maintenance:
- Avoid using products that overlap in function. ParaGuard™ is sufficient to clear out many types of external infections all on its own; it is not necessary to use multiple medications at the same time, and may in fact be quite stressful to the fish. If your fish has both an external infection and a different and serious internal infection like bloat or hexamita, we'd recommend using a medicated food blend instead of mixing the second medication into the water.
- MetroPlex™ food blends clear out internal and external parasitic infections like hexamita, ich, velvet, and worms. See the full instructions HERE.
- KanaPlex™ food blends clear out internal and external bacterial infections like columnaris (mouth rot), bloat, fin rot, and lesions. See the full instructions HERE.
- Do not use too many reducing agents together. ParaGuard™, water conditioners that remove chlorine and chloramine, some stress reducers, and some water clarifiers are part of a category of chemicals called "reducing agents". These chemicals are capable of reducing the oxygen content of the water when used in high quantities or in tanks that are already low in oxygen. If you need to use numerous reducing agents in the same tank, it is best to leave about 15-30 minutes between each product.
- Do not use with products that interact with reducing agents. Since ParaGuard™ is a reducing agent, it should not be used with chemicals that interact poorly with reducing agents.
- When in doubt, wait 48 hours. Most medications and water treatment chemicals have a limited active lifespan in the water (there are some exceptions to this - read the label and call the company if unsure). Waiting a few days between doses will minimize the possibility of product interactions.
- Do not use chemical filter media. Medias like carbon are capable of removing medications over time. When using medications, it is best to remove all chemical filter media. It is perfectly fine to leave the biological media as well as any sponges and pads in the filter though!
Seachem® Products
ParaGuard™ does not interact with any of the Seachem® medications except Cupramine™. Using ParaGuard™ in water that contains Cupramine™ will convert the copper in Curpamine™ to a more toxic form. DO NOT USE THESE TWO PRODUCTS TOGETHER. For a more detailed overview of using the Seachem® medications together, see FAQ: Can I use the Seachem® medications together?
Also keep in mind that it is not recommended to make major alterations to water chemistry while using a medication, as this will likely stress the bacteria colonies. Products like buffers and mineral additives can be used to make major alterations to water parameters, and while it is fine to use them in a tank being dosed with ParaGuard™, care should be taken not to alter water parameters too quickly or too drastically.
FAQ: Do I need to do water changes while dosing the Seachem® medications?
ParaGuard™ is a reducing agent and, like all reducing agents, a massive overdose can reduce oxygen levels in the aquarium to the point that they harm the fish. It is typically fine to use multiple reducing agents in quick succession, but if you will be using three or more, it is best to spread our the dosing of these products by about 15-30 minutes to avoid a sudden drop in oxygen levels.
Here's some Seachem® products that are reducing agents
|
Prime® |
Betta Basics™ |
StressGuard™ |
|
Safe® |
Gold Basics™ |
ParaGuard™ |
|
AmGuard™ |
Neutral Regulator® |
Clarity® |
As mentioned, it is perfectly fine to use these products together, but if you need to use three or more, it is best to spread out your dosing a bit.
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