Copper in QT and Hypo in DT

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NeuroticAquatics

NeuroticAquatics

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I've decided to get my fish out of my 240g and into a QT for treatment with Cupramine. I added a couple fish and had an outbreak that is not clearing up.

If I drop the salinity down to Hypo conditions in my 240g, would that shorten the fallow time for that DT? I'm thinking of redoing my refugium/sump plumbing and my rockscaping so I figure I will get rid of most of the water and keep just enough to keep my rocks/sand wet in hopes of some beneficial bacteria surviving. I might even be okay with going straight freshwater and recycling the tank.
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
Orphek OR3 reef aquarium LED bar
I personally wouldn't go fresh, nor hypo. Too much risk (especially the prior) with decimating your hydrogen cycle--- a cycle that for a mature tank can take several months to "fully complete".

I'd run it fishless and be patient. I know it stinks, I've done it four times! :D
 
4FordFamily said:
I personally wouldn't go fresh, nor hypo. Too much risk (especially the prior) with decimating your hydrogen cycle--- a cycle that for a mature tank can take several months to "fully complete".

I'd run it fishless and be patient. I know it stinks, I've done it four times! :D
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I agree. It's always better to be patient and avoid short-cuts.
 
The thing that's killing me about all of this is that my Powder Blue Tang looks bad. Still eating like a pig, but covered. My new additions...juvenile Emperor Angel and Blue Jaw Trigger have a few spots but look okay. My big Regal Tang I'm selling to someone that is aware of it's condition (just to have one less fish in QT (it's like 7-8"), it's not bad at all. My Magnificent Foxface, Flame Hawk and other Tang (think it's a Bluelip Bristletooth) and Potters Angel are spotless. I know it's in there but they seem "immune" so far. It's the PBT that really concerns me or I'd continue the Ich management route if they all looked okay for a while.
 
Nutramar Foods
NeuroticAquatics said:
The thing that's killing me about all of this is that my Powder Blue Tang looks bad. Still eating like a pig, but covered. My new additions...juvenile Emperor Angel and Blue Jaw Trigger have a few spots but look okay. My big Regal Tang I'm selling to someone that is aware of it's condition (just to have one less fish in QT (it's like 7-8"), it's not bad at all. My Magnificent Foxface, Flame Hawk and other Tang (think it's a Bluelip Bristletooth) and Potters Angel are spotless. I know it's in there but they seem "immune" so far. It's the PBT that really concerns me or I'd continue the Ich management route if they all looked okay for a while.
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You could just pull the PBT out (for now) since he needs the most urgent attention. Treat him with copper while you contemplate your next move in the DT. I think you know what ultimately needs to be done here, but not worrying about the PBT dying any day will take some of the stress off you.
 
Humblefish said:
You could just pull the PBT out (for now) since he needs the most urgent attention. Treat him with copper while you contemplate your next move in the DT. I think you know what ultimately needs to be done here, but not worrying about the PBT dying any day will take some of the stress off you.
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I think I am going to go that route. The others will be okay until the holiday weekend and that will give me more time to figure out a gameplan.

I'm still considering the 75W UV option from another of my threads/posts, but maybe just doing one for my 240g and another for the upcoming koi pond.
 
Humblefish said:
You could just pull the PBT out (for now) since he needs the most urgent attention. Treat him with copper while you contemplate your next move in the DT. I think you know what ultimately needs to be done here, but not worrying about the PBT dying any day will take some of the stress off you.
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X2. PBT will not make it long. What you see on the outside is the very tip of the iceberg -- by the time they're covered like that the gills are often next to destroyed..
 
Nutramar Foods
Moving forward, no more "observe in QT"...I'm treating and not adding until I am 100% sure. This is my 3rd disease scenario with my 240g. The last two involved MV, so I'm at least hopeful that this round I come out on top with minimal casualties.
 
NeuroticAquatics said:
I'm hoping for the best with the PBT. It will be in QT tonight but I'm raising the Cupramine slowly, so we shall see... (fingers crossed)...
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It's never good to make an important decision like this in a panic. And when you see a fish you love in distress, it's easy to get stressed out. Once the PBT is looking better in QT it will be easier for you to make a calm, rational decision about your DT.
 
Top Shelf Aquatics
I wouldn't slowly increase cupramine for a fish as guy describe. I'd slowly increase to therapeutic levels within 24 hours. At this stage time is not your friend. Acanthurus tangs typically handle copper well. If the copper kills your fish, it was gone, anyway, unfortunately. I think this is your best chance for success.
 
NeuroticAquatics said:
I'm still considering the 75W UV option from another of my threads/posts, but maybe just doing one for my 240g and another for the upcoming koi pond.
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Please just double check to make sure that your UV system is safe for salt water aquariums. If I remember correctly, you have a stainless steel one and most of them are designed for fresh water use. I'd hate to see you go that route and then create new issues from metals leaching into your tank.

Less of a problem with a FOWLR than a reef tank, but still something I would worry about.

Good luck!
 
4FordFamily said:
I wouldn't slowly increase cupramine for a fish as guy describe. I'd slowly increase to therapeutic levels within 24 hours. At this stage time is not your friend. Acanthurus tangs typically handle copper well. If the copper kills your fish, it was gone, anyway, unfortunately. I think this is your best chance for success.
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Will do.

If I end up adding other fish later, I understand the treatment period will start over, but are they going to have issues going straight into therapeutic or should I drop it down and bring levels up for them?
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
I will double check the UV. I'm still not 100% sold on going that route. The stainless steel one mentions saltwater in the description but it does seem risky running saltwater through metal.
 
NeuroticAquatics said:
If I end up adding other fish later, I understand the treatment period will start over, but are they going to have issues going straight into therapeutic or should I drop it down and bring levels up for them?
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I would setup another QT and slowly ramp up the Cu level in there for the rest of your fish. Once the copper matches in both QTs, you can combine them into one. So, if the PBT is going into your main QT you can use a smaller QT (or even buckets) for the rest of your fish because they will only need to be in there long enough to raise the Cu level.
 
I may just buy a Brute container. The Powder Blue is in my 35g QT. I can't put all the others in a 20, which is my other option. I may have to split the crowd between the two if parameters get sketchy with them all in the 35g.
I was going to tear apart my son's 60g but decided against that last night after tearing apart my 240g to catch the Powder Blue. I may still need to go that route.
 
Deltec
Update...Powder Blue Tang is in QT with copper at .5 and was eating this morning, so I am happy with that. Others I am kinda watching but seem fine still in the 240g. I'm trying to come up with a gameplan for the others. I'm back to the idea of putting everything in my son's tank as it gives me a few extra gallons for all the fish.
 
NeuroticAquatics said:
Update...Powder Blue Tang is in QT with copper at .5 and was eating this morning, so I am happy with that. Others I am kinda watching but seem fine still in the 240g. I'm trying to come up with a gameplan for the others. I'm back to the idea of putting everything in my son's tank as it gives me a few extra gallons for all the fish.
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Do you have an ammonia alert badge? Be on top of water changes and he will probably pull through fine!
 

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