Beginning my first batch of fish through QT

DarkSky · Jul 7, 2018

Hey all,

I ordered a few fish that'll be here Tuesday, three wrasses, melanarus, yellow corris and a leopard.

My QT is a 40g AIO innovative marine, I've partitioned it off with black acrylic to hopefully aliviate any aggression between the three.

My plan is to match SG of their water, let them acclimate and start eating, then begin a period of API general cure. Once that's done, I'd like to start a 30 day period of copper safe (Hanna copper checker for testing levels), then any antibiotics as needed (metroplex and kanaplex).

I'm worried that the wrasses might not tolerate the copper treatment. I have two spare 20g that I could do TTM with, but I'd rather use copper if possible.

Is it with these fish? If not, I'll start making more salt water...

Humblefish · Jul 8, 2018

You should be fine so long as your raise the Cu level slow, and accurately test which can really only be done with a Hanna checker: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/coppe...truments-high-range-copper-checker-hi702.454/

The Leopard Wrasse may take a little while to start eating, and all 3 wrasses would appreciate some sand to burrow.

HotRocks · Jul 8, 2018

Humblefish said:
You should be fine so long as your raise the Cu level slow, and accurately test which can really only be done with a Hanna checker: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/coppe...truments-high-range-copper-checker-hi702.454/

The Leopard Wrasse may take a little while to start eating, and all 3 wrasses would appreciate some sand to burrow.

+1 Agree.

The Wrasses should do very well in copper so long as you raise slowly as recommended above and I would try to use a target of 1.75ppm. Using chelated copper (copper power).

DarkSky · Jul 8, 2018

HotRocks said:
+1 Agree.

The Wrasses should do very well in copper so long as you raise slowly as recommended above and I would try to use a target of 1.75ppm. Using chelated copper (copper power).

I have Cupramine and copper safe. Should I get chelated copper as well?

HotRocks · Jul 8, 2018

DarkSky said:
I have Cupramine and copper safe. Should I get chelated copper as well?

I would not use cupramine for wrasses. Coppersafe is chelated copper and ok to use since you have a Hanna checker. I changed to copper power from coppersafe just due to inconsistent concentration.

You can do a test on your coppersafe and dose (with an accurate syringe) the instructed amount to a measured volume of water and test with Hanna to see what the concentration is. Then adjust dosing your QT accordingly.

4FordFamily · Jul 8, 2018

HotRocks said:
I would not use cupramine for wrasses. Coppersafe is chelated copper and ok to use since you have a Hanna checker. I changed to copper power from coppersafe just due to inconsistent concentration.

You can do a test on your coppersafe and dose (with an accurate syringe) the instructed amount to a measured volume of water and test with Hanna to see what the concentration is. Then adjust dosing your QT accordingly.

I agree with humble and @HotRocks — I also want to stress that the coppersafe concentration can be wildly different and we’ve killed many fish as a result by assuming it was at least in the ballpark. We were wrong. I personally dislike coppersafe very much as a result.

DarkSky · Jul 8, 2018

HotRocks said:
I would not use cupramine for wrasses. Coppersafe is chelated copper and ok to use since you have a Hanna checker. I changed to copper power from coppersafe just due to inconsistent concentration.

You can do a test on your coppersafe and dose (with an accurate syringe) the instructed amount to a measured volume of water and test with Hanna to see what the concentration is. Then adjust dosing your QT accordingly.

Ok, perfect. I had gotten cupramine for tangs and angels, and planned to use coppersafe for the more sensitive species. Since I was going to slowly increase levels with coppersafe and test with the Hanna meter, I figured the inconsistent batches wouldn't be as much of an issue.

How long of a period do you take to reach 1.75ppm?

HotRocks · Jul 8, 2018

DarkSky said:
Ok, perfect. I had gotten cupramine for tangs and angels, and planned to use coppersafe for the more sensitive species. Since I was going to slowly increase levels with coppersafe and test with the Hanna meter, I figured the inconsistent batches wouldn't be as much of an issue.

How long of a period do you take to reach 1.75ppm?

I would just use chelated on all fish since you have it and the Hanna together.

I ramp up over 5-7 days (as long as no signs of velvet). I have run 2 batches now using copper power and Hanna. Have yet to encounter a fish that is copper sensitive, or won't eat in copper using 1.75ppm.

I did however unfortunately lose some fish this last go round due to a nasty gram negative bacterial infection.

3rd batch arriving Tuesday!

DarkSky · Jul 8, 2018

HotRocks said:
chelated

= Coppersafe?

HotRocks · Jul 8, 2018

Yes, coppersafe and copper power are both chelated forms of copper.

Cupramine is an ionic form of copper.

DarkSky · Jul 8, 2018

Good to know.

Thank

HotRocks said:
Yes, coppersafe and copper power are both chelated forms of copper.

Cupramine is an ionic form of copper.

you!

DarkSky · Jul 9, 2018

One follow up question - can kanaplex and metroplex be dosed in conjunction if needed? Can they be used while @ 1.75ppm copper?

Thanks!

Toofattofish · Jul 9, 2018

DarkSky said:
One follow up question - can kanaplex and metroplex be dosed in conjunction if needed? Can they be used while @ 1.75ppm copper?

Thanks!

Metronidazole might complex with copper so I'd avoid the combo unless absolutely necessary.

HotRocks · Jul 9, 2018

Metroplex and Kanaplex can be mixed, I would also add furan-2 to the mix.

I would use a separate QT that is not dosed with copper. Mixing ABX and copper is not recommended. It can cause a whole list of issues from low o2, to bacterial blooms etc.

DarkSky · Jul 9, 2018

HotRocks said:
Metroplex and Kanaplex can be mixed, I would also add furan-2 to the mix.

I would use a separate QT that is not dosed with copper. Mixing ABX and copper is not recommended. It can cause a whole list of issues from low o2, to bacterial blooms etc.

OK, I'll pick up some Furan-2 as well.

Forgive my ignorance, what is ABX? Google fails me.