question on some meds

[ewok]

hi just a question about some common medications that are used for discus:

for meds like prazi pro and malachite green (internal and external parasites respectively) - will these kill the 'good' bacteria in the filters?

is there anything that people add for 'good measure' or a just in case? i don't personally like the idea of adding things into the water, but i'm just paranoid that my fish get something... :o

thanks

[ShinShin]

Prazi will kill external flukes and tapeworms. Malachite green in excess can damage a biological filter. Malachgite green along with formalin work better than either one used alone. It is my perferred combo for most external parasites, esp. protozoans.

Mat

[ewok]

thanks shinshin
i think i read that formalin is bad for biological filter bacteria though?

[Graham]

Yes it is but would you rather fight/control a minor NH3 or NO2 spike or fight a parasite with meds that barely work.

An established colony of nitrifiers will respond and recover very quickly for a hit of chems