| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
kgwilliams 
Guest
Joined: November 26 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 677
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: Garlic
Posted: May 28 2007 at 7:16pm |
|
Just curious, has anyone ever tried chopping up actual garlic and feeding it to their fish? If so, have you had any better results than you had with just the oil? I have been experimenting trying to make my own food for my fish, and I thought maybe it would be cool to finely chop some garlic and mix it with the meaty foods. What do you think?
|
|
75gal reef /sump/ref 150MH 2 96w CF
Perhaps I would be better at basket weaving. . . at least it would be cheaper!
|
 |
Charlesr1958
Guest
Joined: May 21 2007
Location: Philippines
Status: Offline
Points: 22
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 7:27am |
I'm just curious as to what garlic is supposed to actualy do? Lots of guessing and wishfull thinking I believe. I also believe it got its start when someone noted that feeding garlic to a dog helped as a flea repellant and in a brain fart, figured it would do the same for Ich on a fish. Which is comical. Fads...gotta love em...lol
Chuck
|
|
Dion Richins
Presidency
Joined: April 03 2005
Location: Farmington
Status: Offline
Points: 11664
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 7:41am |
Chuck, Ive been doing this for a long time and I can assure you this is not a fad. 9 out of 10 times garlic can rid fish of ich. It does this by 2 ways.
1-Garlic triggers the feeding frenzy in fish. I feed garlic everyday. My frozen is thawed out in water and garlic and it soaks it in.
2- garlic oil in a fishes body is like you drinking to much and having the alcohol smell come out your sweat glands. The ich and most other parasites are repealed by it. I have seen my own tank clear out in 2 days.
Since I started using garlic on a everyday basis I have not had ich. (3+ years)
Its not a cure all, and tank conditions do play a huge factor in the overall health of the fish. However dumping chemicals into a tank to do what a natural fix will do is nuts. IMO.
To answer the original question. I have heard of others finely grating it up but with no better results. Most fish wont see it as a natural tasting food and might not eat it at all.
|
|
|
|
Suzy
Guest
Joined: January 03 2003
Status: Offline
Points: 7377
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 8:44am |
|
I don't use it. It seems like there are other ways to increase a fishes immune system so it can fight off an opportunistic infection? Well, that's what works for me.
But, I think if you wanted to use fresh, it would be best to squeeze it in a mincer? And use the oil. Bonus: growing garlic in your garden or yard is so easy! You can grow as much as you can ever even think about feeding your fish and you can't get fresher than back yard grown! Fresh garlic is really oiley.
|
|
Adam Blundell
Presidency
Joined: June 24 2002
Location: Davis County
Status: Offline
Points: 18526
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 9:10am |
Garlic certainly seems to be a near miracle cure in some cases. Receiving increased study and testing. Hard to argue with the results of its effects.
Kindra- I think you could use whole garlic without any problems. But for the cost you could just buy a bottle of garlic liquid gel caps and blend them up. I think that would work better, and be quite cost efficient. I'd go that route.
Adam
|
|
Come to a meeting, they’re fun!
|
|
Charlesr1958
Guest
Joined: May 21 2007
Location: Philippines
Status: Offline
Points: 22
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 9:14am |
Sorry, but I find it comical to think that such a thing could be the case. There are other factors that can account for a seemingly disappearance of Ich (natural resistence, limited immunitys). That and the fact that there is not a single published report or any other indications that garlic has any use in a marine setting. Ancedotal and wishfull thinking is about the best any has to back up such claims.
Triggers a feeding frenzy in fish? I can do that by just walking past the tank to where they think its feeding time..lol I bet you would get the same reaction with good old plain food. And how does a feeding response do anything against a parasite?
As I figured, the same dog/flea response is being applied to fish. How can such statements be made as if fact? I've seen a great many fish seemingly "cleared" in a few days as well, if the fish is healthy and in good tank conditions. But stress the fish out, and the Ich comes "back" as if by magic. This same immunity/resistance never gets the credit which a good many "reef safe" Ich "medications" rely upon for their reputation as being an effective method. Same can be said of garlic.
Anyways, what ever trips your trigger...lol Sorry, but I really do find such things bordering on the redicoulous and think there is a great deal of wasted effort and garlic for that matter...lol On the down side, how many hobbyists resort to garlic and useless reef safe products to combat Ich and never actualy defeat it? Only to have a stress event and lose fish when the Ich that is still there jumps up and takes out a weakened fish. Bad habit and practice in my opinion.
Chuck
|
|
Adam Blundell
Presidency
Joined: June 24 2002
Location: Davis County
Status: Offline
Points: 18526
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 9:25am |
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/sp/index.php
Interesting read.
I for one was skeptical of garlic for 10 years. But after 10 years I've decided those others were right. It really can make a difference. Maybe it kills ich (I don't buy that) or maybe it stimulates feeding (that could be true) or maybe it just boosts the immune system (given the effects in humans that could certainly be true) or maybe it makes the fish stink (I still don't get that argument).... but whatever it does, it sure does seem to work time and time again for thousands of people.
Adam
|
|
Come to a meeting, they’re fun!
|
|
raggtags
Pet Store
Joined: March 06 2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 335
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 11:23am |
if thats your feelings then so be it
but when it comes down to facts results dont lie i tried feeding it to powder blue tangs which are ich magnets and its works for me
remember that your results are just that.
each tank has its own quirks and many things come in to play
most of all use an open mind when it comes to your fish health
dont condem it if you have not tried it.
|
|
801-955-5855
|
|
ReefBones
Guest
Joined: January 14 2006
Location: Magna, Utah
Status: Offline
Points: 2617
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 12:54pm |
|
look ... flat out ... garlic DOSE work!!
|
|
140 gallon Reef
65 gallon Reef
55 gallon Aggressive
www.thesalttank.com
801-865-6074
"encourage other divers and sea enthusiasts to take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but bubbles"
|
|
shakin06
Guest
Joined: January 07 2007
Location: Razzi is Queen
Status: Offline
Points: 1743
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 1:10pm |
I can honestly say that i have had hippos and a purple tang in the past that were ich magnets. I finally bought a bottle of kent marine extreme and mixed it into flake food and the problem that was prevalent went away and never came back. it is now a staple in the "daily" feedings in both of my tanks.
Steve
|
|
72 Bow ASM G2 Oceanic1 mag 9.5
TEK 8 bulb T5HO
|
|
SharkByteShaz
Paid Member
Joined: December 11 2003
Location: West Point
Status: Offline
Points: 1076
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 5:57pm |
I agree with pro-garlic users, I've used it and it works! Have used it for years and recommend it for all  .
|
|
HOLD MY BEER, I WANT TO TRY SOMETHING...
|
|
kgwilliams
Guest
Joined: November 26 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 677
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 7:21pm |
Wow! Great response! That's why I love this board! Anyways, I tried feeding chopped up garlic, and they ate the pieces that were VERY small, but spit the bigger pieces back out. I will probably just buy some more oil, I just wanted to try this and see if it worked better!
As for all the argument. . . . There are lots of arguments about our own human medications and whether they work, or if we should take them. But seems to me, if someone decides they want to try one for their problem, and it seems to make them better, if not save their life, then they are going to take it. Even if that means paying outragious amounts for the medication. So in the same sense, if some simple garlic oil shows results in saving my expensive Da** fishes lives, then you better believe I'm going to use it! Expecially when it doesn't have risks of harming the inverts in my tank! And I pitty the fish in a persons tank whom is not willing to try anything to make them feel better. Just my opinion. . . .
|
|
75gal reef /sump/ref 150MH 2 96w CF
Perhaps I would be better at basket weaving. . . at least it would be cheaper!
|
|
Mark Peterson
Paid Member
Joined: June 19 2002
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 21436
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 7:21pm |
Kindra, the fresh Garlic doesn't have as good of a track record as processed Garlic Oil. My brother did just as you suggest and his tank did poorly, coral didn't look good, etc, until he stopped using that frozen food with fresh Garlic mixed in. One person I know used fresh Garlic but I don't trust their reefkeeping practices either. 
Chuck, were you born in 1958? You certainly make a valuable point about creating a healthy environment being the best way to prevent ich, but... You probably have some reef keeping practices that work for you but have never been scientifically tested or proven. I invite you to try Garlic Oil for yourself. It works very well and it's effect is very easily traced as a causal relationship. Fish have ich - add Garlic - next day Ich is gone. I've used it and have seen too many people have this kind of experience with it, to discount it as a fad. 
btw it's best used as holdencraft33 does, one drop per cube, marinated in frozen food as it thaws without adding water. It may not be needed every day, but at least once every 2-4 weeks as a preventive.
Edited by Mark Peterson - May 29 2007 at 7:24pm
|
Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
|
|
kgwilliams
Guest
Joined: November 26 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 677
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 9:48pm |
Okay Mark, thanks for the info, I will stick with the oil. I guess I went a little "Betty Crocker" when I was making the food and thought I'd spice things up a little!  My fish are the only ones who will eat anything I make! 
|
|
75gal reef /sump/ref 150MH 2 96w CF
Perhaps I would be better at basket weaving. . . at least it would be cheaper!
|
|
Mike Savage
Guest
Joined: July 15 2005
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 19173
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 10:02pm |
|
|
|
|
|
john hill
Guest
Joined: December 19 2006
Location: spanish fork
Status: Offline
Points: 1824
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 10:42pm |
|
I have been batteling ich on a hippo tang been just over two weaks with garlic oil and uv and it looks to be getting wurse to me any thing eles i can do fish eat almost one full sheat of nori a day
|
|
out with the large and in with the nano
|
|
Dion Richins
Presidency
Joined: April 03 2005
Location: Farmington
Status: Offline
Points: 11664
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 10:51pm |
|
In a case like that I would (personally) put it in a quarantine tank and copper it.
|
|
|
|
john hill
Guest
Joined: December 19 2006
Location: spanish fork
Status: Offline
Points: 1824
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 10:57pm |
|
I cant catch it and i dont have an extra tank do you think the ich will kill him or all my other fish
|
|
out with the large and in with the nano
|
|
Dion Richins
Presidency
Joined: April 03 2005
Location: Farmington
Status: Offline
Points: 11664
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 10:59pm |
|
There is always that chance. If your other fish are eating well and looking well then I wouldnt worry about them. Keep feeding them garlic and they stand a very good chance. Your hippo will either get better or not.
|
|
|
|
bbeck4x4
Guest
Joined: June 22 2005
Location: Spanish Fork
Status: Offline
Points: 2378
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 29 2007 at 11:00pm |
John if you get desperate you could always bring him over here and put him in my tank, Just don't know if I could ever get 'em out  ( or want to  ) or we could always just do a trade or something.........
|
|
Family Portraits /Google trusted Photographer for Google Maps for Businesses
|
|
kgwilliams wrote:
