Bag Buddies

[Melody]

I wanted to know if Bag Buddies could be overdosed. I went to the website and read the rah rah rah blurb, which promised great and wonderful things from electrolytes to oxygen production to 'calmer'. It said I could add a tablet for each bag, but I don't use much water and the fish are often small, so I was concerned about doing that. Normally I mix the proper amount in a pitcher, but I was intrigued by the promise of more oxygen in the bag. They are designed for stores to use, not specifically for shipping, so I figure they're looking at less time in the bag and larger water volumes.

Then I got to wondering after reading the long list of promises, what are the ingredients? If I know what's in it, I can figure out myself if I want to put high concentrations into a bag.

I sent an e-mail to one of their 'experts', who sent a response a few days later. Very enlightening stuff. It was the same promo rah rah rah information as is on the website, with some more on top. They didn't answer my question about it being overdosed, nor did they state the ingredients.

Pretty much all of what they cheer about can be accomplished with aquarium salt and dechlorinator, but I would really like to know what's in it. When it starts to talk about 'calming' combined with the blue colour, I have to wonder if there's medication involved, hence my overdose concern.

Does anyone have the bottle on hand? I don't have mine anymore and I'd like to know if the ingredients are listed.

I have had good results with Bag Buddies, but I wonder if maximizing the oxygen potential will be worth the risk of overdose.

[blainep]

According to the bottle

Active ingredients

Chlorides of sodium and potassium, clove oil.

Hmmmmmm Clove oil ...... Calm fish .......:rolleyes:

[Melody]

Clove Oil can also kill fish... wonder how much is in it? I think I'll forget the oxygen benefits, if there really is any, and go with the premixing.

Otherwise it sounds like dechlorinator and aquarium salt, yes?

I'd also have to wonder if fish that looked like they were dead when they arrived in Bag Buddy water, were actually alive.

Thanks!

[Katalyst]

I'm trying to find my bottle...lol I know I bought them recently. It is lost in a 'fish box' somewhere.

[hp10BII]

I'd also have to wonder if fish that looked like they were dead when they arrived in Bag Buddy water, were actually alive.

Thanks!

I've received a shipment of fish where a few of the fish pancaked when dropped in the new tank, they were fine an hour later. I don't use bag buddies so don't know the ingredients...but I always just assumed there was a sedative in the treatment.

[Melody]

I have the breather bags on the way so oxygen shouldn't be a factor anymore. I'm going to keep mixing it up as the directions dictate. That's the first thing that caught my eye - something like one tablet/litre of water... whatever it was, its MUCH more than I put in a fish bag for shipping.

[Katalyst]

Melody I'm wondering if you've been using bag buddies and what you thought of it. I bought a bottle in December & then got a little nervous about using it and have yet to try it.

[thegrandpoohbah]

More oxygen? Well, sedated fish (clove oil) have a lower metabolic rate and would therefore breathe less. Voila, more available oxygen in the bag.

[blainep]

I've used Bag Buddies, I didn't really notice much of a change from using to not using.

Most of the time I forget to put them in all the bags, so one or two bags go without in almost every shipment.

[Melody]

I have found them to be a vast improvement over not using them, but I also started using breather bags so I'm sure that's at least part of it. I think its a great thing really - they endure a lot of stress in shipping. I chuck 2-3 in a pitcher and mix it up, I don't use one/bag. I dilute even more for fry.

That would definitly explain the oxygen, Mr. GP, but they say you have to close the bag right away to get the benefit so I assume its something else.:Dunno:

[CACAdmin]

I've only used them in my most recent shipments. And like you, Melody, I don't add them to the bags but mix up a jug of water with a couple of tablets. I wish they stated a water volume/tablet ratio and then I wouldn't worry about overdosing the fish.