Copper Power Dissipates ?

[puccie1]

I been trying to bring my copper range to 2.5 using copper power, I have protein skimmer running along with 2 - 150 watt Uv lights, does these two elements dissipates the copper pretty fast, lowering its range. for example using a hanna checker, last night was 2.27 I added 2 oz of copper power at approx 10 pm. Today at 3pm checked copper reading it was 2.12 so I dosed it another 2 oz, is this normal while running skimmer and uv.
Thanks for your time in this matter!
Tank is 600 gallons.

 

[MnFish1]

I been trying to bring my copper range to 2.5 using copper power, I have protein skimmer running along with 2 - 150 watt Uv lights, does these two elements dissipates the copper pretty fast, lowering its range. for example using a hanna checker, last night was 2.27 I added 2 oz of copper power at approx 10 pm. Today at 3pm checked copper reading it was 2.12 so I dosed it another 2 oz, is this normal while running skimmer and uv.
Thanks for your time in this matter!
Tank is 600 gallons.

So - you're trying to treat a display tank - I assume you don't have a 600 gallon QT tank lol. This is going to be difficult. What are you treating? You could use Ruby Rally Pro - in either case a skimmer will take the medication out. I'm not aware whether UV specifically degrades copper power.

 

[puccie1]

So - you're trying to treat a display tank - I assume you don't have a 600 gallon QT tank lol. This is going to be difficult. What are you treating? You could use Ruby Rally Pro - in either case a skimmer will take the medication out. I'm not aware whether UV specifically degrades copper power.

Fish only I used and kept t pretty close to 2.5 last time I had a outbreak of ick, but turned off UV last time just wondering?

 

[MnFish1]

Fish only I used and kept t pretty close to 2.5 last time I had a outbreak of ick, but turned off UV last time just wondering?

It's an interesting question. Most people say 'turn off all degrading filtration'. On the other hand - depending on the size of the UV - it also may be helping. Since you did it last time - I would turn it off this time also.

PS - are you sure it's CI? as compared to something else? I.e. why copper in the first place? For everyone else education - what fish are affected - what do you think caused the problem - a new addition? something else? Thanks - good luck.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Do you have calcareous rock or sand in the display? Those will absorb copper, causing it to read lower. After treatment it can continue to leech copper out for some time.

 

[puccie1]

Do you have calcareous rock or sand in the display? Those will absorb copper, causing it to read lower. After treatment it can continue to leech copper out for some time.

yes on both but this tank along with rock and sand has had copper dozen of times in the last 2 years

 

[MnFish1]

yes on both but this tank along with rock and sand has had copper dozen of times in the last 2 years

Thanks - @Shark.Bait its a good thing to mention for others - I assumed it was a copper treated tank. And - I will double down on my comment - stop the skimmer - and - I would now also say the UV.

However - a question - why has it needed copper multiple times?

Edit - the reason I ask - is that copper is immunosuppressive - long-term - and also - adding copper to a tank with rock exposed to it before - may mean that you need to undergoes (EDIT) underdose- since the copper already there - Is leaching out. I'm curious - when you aren't treating - have you checked your copper levels. Lastly - since you have a 600 gallon tank - I'm sure everyone would like a picture

 

[Sharkbait19]

I should add, in such a large tank if it is fish only, it would probably be cheaper in the long run to run hyposalinity when treating for ich (and having a qt so that the dt doesn’t need to be treated every time).

 

[MnFish1]

I should add, in such a large tank if it is fish only, it would probably be cheaper in the long run to run hyposalinity when treating for ich (and having a qt so that the dt doesn’t need to be treated every time).

Totally agree - and BTW - I meant to say - not only that copper causes immunosuppression - but also (per reports) @Thales ??? Input?? internal fish organ damage. In this case - I'm more curious why there is a repeated need for copper treatment?

 

[puccie1]

Thanks - @Shark.Bait its a good thing to mention for others - I assumed it was a copper treated tank. And - I will double down on my comment - stop the skimmer - and - I would now also say the UV.

However - a question - why has it needed copper multiple times?

I was under the impression that using copper power you can use your protein skimmer and UV. That the benefit would be better using UVV for any bacteria outbreaks and protein skimmer to keep the waste down. I have used the protein skimmer in the past with little dissipated copper power, first time with UV, it was briought to my attention on this site that you were able to use UV with copper power. Ick out break and Im starting to believe the strand is resilient to copper. I planning to use metronidazole for last 10 days of treatment. Any suggestion is greatly appreciate and thank you.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I been trying to bring my copper range to 2.5 using copper power, I have protein skimmer running along with 2 - 150 watt Uv lights, does these two elements dissipates the copper pretty fast, lowering its range. for example using a hanna checker, last night was 2.27 I added 2 oz of copper power at approx 10 pm. Today at 3pm checked copper reading it was 2.12 so I dosed it another 2 oz, is this normal while running skimmer and uv.
Thanks for your time in this matter!
Tank is 600 gallons.

Your skimmer is removing some as well as disspipation. I assume this is a Fish Only Tank ?
This is best done in a quarantine tank but can be done in a display - Fish only and some will leach into the rock

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

This skimmer is pulling WAY less out, than the rock is sucking up.

You will continue to have to test and dose daily.

When you're done, the rock is going to leech a bunch right back out.

 

[puccie1]

This skimmer is pulling WAY less out, than the rock is sucking up.

You will continue to have to test and dose daily.

When you're done, the rock is going to leech a bunch right back out.

Thanks for the input I have tried Hypo several time ick gone during the treatment which I done for 45 day 3 weeks later back with a vengeance same with past copper dosages. Good for a month after treatment then back been going on for 2 1/2 years.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Totally agree - and BTW - I meant to say - not only that copper causes immunosuppression - but also (per reports) @Thales ??? Input?? internal fish organ damage. In this case - I'm more curious why there is a repeated need for copper treatment?

I don’t know too much on the details, but I’d imagine it would work like any medicine. Helpful in small doses, poison if used too much.

 

[reefiniteasy]

If you have filter pads anywhere, they will absorb some of the copper power.

 

[RedReefer]

I've always used copper power with no skimmer or UV. I would think the skimmer would degrade or remove some of the copper power...

 

[threebuoys]

I'm not aware of uv having any impact on copper.

The skimmer will remove copper only to the extent it removes water.

Some filtraton material (polyster) will remove copper.

Fresh carbon is also suspected of removing copper although my experience has been it happens slowly.

And any calcium based substrate will absorb copper.

Your experience is unusual.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I been trying to bring my copper range to 2.5 using copper power, I have protein skimmer running along with 2 - 150 watt Uv lights, does these two elements dissipates the copper pretty fast, lowering its range. for example using a hanna checker, last night was 2.27 I added 2 oz of copper power at approx 10 pm. Today at 3pm checked copper reading it was 2.12 so I dosed it another 2 oz, is this normal while running skimmer and uv.
Thanks for your time in this matter!
Tank is 600 gallons.

Is there any calcareous material in the tank, coral sand, live rock, etc? That material will absorb copper.
I haven’t heard of UV lowering copper levels.
Jay

 

[puccie1]

Is there any calcareous material in the tank, coral sand, live rock, etc? That material will absorb copper.
I haven’t heard of UV lowering copper levels.
Jay

yes rock and crush Coral but once you use copper prior shouldn't that stay in the rock and coral from before(several times half dozen or better)

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

yes rock and crush Coral but once you use copper prior shouldn't that stay in the rock and coral from before(several times half dozen or better)

The reaction of copper and calcareous material is complicated, and I'm not a chemist, but my understanding is that this material will continue to absorb copper to some extend. It can also release copper of the pH drops too much. I'd say that your copper is being bound up by that material.

Jay