Metricide 28 - Fish reaction

[dcp5082]

I recently purchased a gallon of metricide 28 as a form of carbon for my planted tank. When I first researched it, it seemed like a form of flourish excel, which people have used for years with no fish problems. As I continued my research I found that metricide 14/28 is fairly toxic and will cause irreparable damage to human eyes with contact.... As I read this I wonder, how the heck is this ok for fish? Any science people who can give me some good info?

 

[aclockworkorange]

 

[lipadj46]

you bought the wrong stuff, metricide 28 contains a surfactant. You need metricide 14. 100% Glutaraldehyde is probably some nasty stuff but when diluted down to 2.5% it is less toxic and even less when diluted by pouring a capful in 55 gallons. The fish still act funny at first and it will kill inverts.

 

[skiptomyzoo]

you bought the wrong stuff, metricide 28 contains a surfactant. You need metricide 14. 100% Glutaraldehyde is probably some nasty stuff but when diluted down to 2.5% it is less toxic and even less when diluted by pouring a capful in 55 gallons. The fish still act funny at first and it will kill inverts.

Can you reference this or provide a link showing that the 14 is ok but not the 28? Not saying your wrong at all, just didn't come across this in my readings before I bought Omnicide 28. So if true won't be using as dosing.
I thought the concentrations were just slightly lower on the 28 which is 2.5% compared to 2.6% from what I remember and activators (which you don't use anyhow) different for the 14 and 28 since it is in reference to shelf life when added.

Thank you

 

[lipadj46]

just look at the metrex website. Metricide 14 has no surfactants:

http://www.metrex.com/disinfection-Metricide

then look at metricide 28, it has surfactants:

http://www.metrex.com/disinfection-Metricide28

Also looking at the msds for both you see that metricide 14 contains only water and glut and metricide 28 contains water, glut and "other ingredients". I'm not saying you can't use the stuff but it has surfactants in it, would you put soap in your tank in any concentration?

 

[dcp5082]

just look at the metrex website. Metricide 14 has no surfactants:

http://www.metrex.com/disinfection-Metricide

then look at metricide 28, it has surfactants:

http://www.metrex.com/disinfection-Metricide28

Also looking at the msds for both you see that metricide 14 contains only water and glut and metricide 28 contains water, glut and "other ingredients". I'm not saying you can't use the stuff but it has surfactants in it, would you put soap in your tank in any concentration?

i appreciate the info, I will return the metricide 28. however, that doesnt really answer my original question. glureraldehyde even in low concentrations is considered toxic to humans. Very much so actually, it causes asthma with prolonged exposure, which is basically what fish would be going through. How is this safe for fish, considering they will be literally swimming in it

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Hmm, maybe send a message to SeaChem. But ask about THEIR product (flourish excel), because it contains the same chemicals.

 

[lipadj46]

i appreciate the info, I will return the metricide 28. however, that doesnt really answer my original question. glureraldehyde even in low concentrations is considered toxic to humans. Very much so actually, it causes asthma with prolonged exposure, which is basically what fish would be going through. How is this safe for fish, considering they will be literally swimming in it

like I mentioned above yes glut is highly toxic at 100%. I'm not sure what the level is where it becomes safe but if you dilute any toxin down enough it becomes safe (except for things that are additive like heavy metals). So with excel you are looking at somewhere around 1.5% glut (which I wouldn't want to bath in but is safe to handle) then you dilute down another 10,000 times and it becomes safe(ish) for your fish. They will definitely act funny if you do the max dose the first time and you will smell the glut.

Hmm, maybe send a message to SeaChem. But ask about THEIR product (flourish excel), because it contains the same chemicals.

Excel only has glut and water in it, no surfactants

 

[dcp5082]

like I mentioned above yes glut is highly toxic at 100%. I'm not sure what the level is where it becomes safe but if you dilute any toxin down enough it becomes safe (except for things that are additive like heavy metals). So with excel you are looking at somewhere around 1.5% glut (which I wouldn't want to bath in but is safe to handle) then you dilute down another 10,000 times and it becomes safe(ish) for your fish. They will definitely act funny if you do the max dose the first time and you will smell the glut.



I just purchased metricide 14 from dealmed. If I do not dilute the solution, is 5 ml ok for the fish? I've been looking at co2 systems lately and they confuse the hell out of me, not to mention for a good system I'm looking at $200 or more. I like the look of my planted tank, but to have them thrive I either have to use all these chemicals or co2 injection, which if you think about it, is like funneling smoke into a closed room.

 

[skiptomyzoo]

I honestly think you will be ok. It's a little less than 2x as powerful than excel. Some people mix with water before, but look at jcardona1 tanks. I believe he said he does it straight in with no ill effects.
If you have a sump I'd just pour it that way in so it's diluted before it even hits the display.