Copper power for 2 blue tangs

[Arisbel]

Hi, I have 2 blue hippo tangs struggling. I have an 8g QT tang I JUST put together and dosed the proper amount of CP (I think).

Since I JUST dosed the amount needed to reach 2.5ppm, can I put the fish in now? Or do I have to wait a certain amount of time before putting them in? I’m afraid they don’t have long.

(Dosed 11.83ml to a 7.7water volume tank).

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

A couple of things:

You say the tangs "are struggling". Do they have severe ich? If so, depending on how bad it is, you may not be able to save them. Copper Power can take up to three days to really eradicate ich. If your fish are severely ill, they may not have that much time. If you post a picture of them under while light I might be able to ballpark how severely they are sick.

Yes, you can move fish into 2.5 ppm copper power, assuming the tank temperature pH and salinity are close. In cases of severe illness, that is better than ramping up the copper more slowly.

You say this is a newly set up tank. What precautions have you made for ammonia control? I'd hat to have you treat for ich only to lose the fish to "new tank syndrome".

Your dose seems a bit high for 2.5 ppm. Are you sure your tank holds exactly 7.7 gallons of water? Here is a calculator:

Copper Power Calculator | CALCONIC_ Calculator

Custom Copper Power Calculator calculator, built using CALCONIC_

www.calconic.com

It is really best to dose copper with a good test kit or the Hanna high range copper meter.

Jay

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi, I have 2 blue hippo tangs struggling. I have an 8g QT tang I JUST put together and dosed the proper amount of CP (I think).

Since I JUST dosed the amount needed to reach 2.5ppm, can I put the fish in now? Or do I have to wait a certain amount of time before putting them in? I’m afraid they don’t have long.

(Dosed 11.83ml to a 7.7water volume tank).

Struggling. . .
Can you provide pics/videos under white lighting?
Are they breathing fast?
Lethargic behavior?
How long have you had them prior to QT ?
Have they yet eaten?
Proper amount of copper (you think)- over what period and as Jay asked, measured by what method/test kit ?

 

[Arisbel]

A couple of things:

You say the tangs "are struggling". Do they have severe ich? If so, depending on how bad it is, you may not be able to save them. Copper Power can take up to three days to really eradicate ich. If your fish are severely ill, they may not have that much time. If you post a picture of them under while light I might be able to ballpark how severely they are sick.

Yes, you can move fish into 2.5 ppm copper power, assuming the tank temperature pH and salinity are close. In cases of severe illness, that is better than ramping up the copper more slowly.

You say this is a newly set up tank. What precautions have you made for ammonia control? I'd hat to have you treat for ich only to lose the fish to "new tank syndrome".

Your dose seems a bit high for 2.5 ppm. Are you sure your tank holds exactly 7.7 gallons of water? Here is a calculator:

Copper Power Calculator | CALCONIC_ Calculator

Custom Copper Power Calculator calculator, built using CALCONIC_

www.calconic.com

It is really best to dose copper with a good test kit or the Hanna high range copper meter.

Jay

The calculator gave me a very close dose. Yes, I think they have severe ich. They’re breathing fast and lay down. They won’t eat either. I do also fear they’re far gone. pH are similar. Salinity is the same. As for ammonia treatment, just frequent water changes. I read you can’t use anything like bacteria to deal with ammonia. Is that not true? Are there other ways?

 

[Arisbel]

Struggling. . .
Can you provide pics/videos under white lighting?
Are they breathing fast?
Lethargic behavior?
How long have you had them prior to QY ?
Have they yet eaten?
Proper amount od copper (you think)- over what period and as Jay asked, measured by what method/test kit ?

Measured by Hanna high range copper test kit. Yes, they’ve eaten prior to all this. I’ve had them for just a week. They’re breathing fast. Covered in white spots. Not home. Can’t provide pics.

moved what period? I just dosed it today.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Measured by Hanna high range copper test kit. Yes, they’ve eaten prior to all this. I’ve had them for just a week. They’re breathing fast. Covered in white spots. Not home. Can’t provide pics.

moved what period? I just dosed it today.

Ok - you answered question- Some people ramp copper over 3-4 days which is a no-no
Provide added oxygen via air stone

 

[Spare time]

The calculator gave me a very close dose. Yes, I think they have severe ich. They’re breathing fast and lay down. They won’t eat either. I do also fear they’re far gone. pH are similar. Salinity is the same. As for ammonia treatment, just frequent water changes. I read you can’t use anything like bacteria to deal with ammonia. Is that not true? Are there other ways?

You can use any cycling bacteria for ammonia in a QT (plus some biosponge or something for them to live on). Get an oversized bottle.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

The calculator gave me a very close dose. Yes, I think they have severe ich. They’re breathing fast and lay down. They won’t eat either. I do also fear they’re far gone. pH are similar. Salinity is the same. As for ammonia treatment, just frequent water changes. I read you can’t use anything like bacteria to deal with ammonia. Is that not true? Are there other ways?

You can use bacteria either from a formulation or from an established tank to control ammonia. Water changes work, but it takes a surprisingly large amount of changes to keep the ammonia in check - 50% per day is common and I’ve seen 100% daily needed in small crowded tanks.
Jay

 

[Arisbel]

You can use bacteria either from a formulation or from an established tank to control ammonia. Water changes work, but it takes a surprisingly large amount of changes to keep the ammonia in check - 50% per day is common and I’ve seen 100% daily needed in small crowded tanks.
Jay

Even with copper power? I do have some rocks I can put in… are you sure it’s safe? I won’t de-use those rocks due to absorption once I do.

 

[Arisbel]

Ok - you answered question- Some people ramp copper over 3-4 days which is a no-no
Provide added oxygen via air stone

The fish are much better now. They were at the pearly gates up until yesterday. Now they swim and eat. I’m so happy! Now I need biological filtration.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Even with copper power? I do have some rocks I can put in… are you sure it’s safe? I won’t de-use those rocks due to absorption once I do.

Yes, bacteria in a bottle or bacteria living on filter material are fine to use when dosing copper. If you use rocks that contain calcium (most do) you will need to test the copper level and do partial redoses as needed to maintain a full copper level. Then, don’t use that rock in tanks with invertebrates.
Be sure to keep the ammonia level below 0.25 ppm
Jay