Copper treatment

Humblefish · Jul 27, 2018

KEITH FERGUSON said:
I have a question, Would it be ok to mix Copper safe and Copper power in the same tank. They are both Chelated Copper. I've been using copper power, but my supplier ran out, but I can get Copper Safe......
Thanks....

It's probably OK, but I would be using the Hanna checker to confirm your Cu level as the concentration of chelated copper found in Coppersafe can be erratic: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/coppe...truments-high-range-copper-checker-hi702.454/

@HotRocks & @4FordFamily can testify to this...

KEITH FERGUSON · Jul 27, 2018

Thanks Humble fish, will do. I just bought the hanna test kit and love it...no room for error...

HotRocks · Jul 27, 2018

Humblefish said:
It's probably OK, but I would be using the Hanna checker to confirm your Cu level as the concentration of chelated copper found in Coppersafe can be erratic: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/coppe...truments-high-range-copper-checker-hi702.454/

@HotRocks & @4FordFamily can testify to this...

Definitely would not recommend using coppersafe without a hanna checker on hand. Their numbers are all over the place as far as each bottle's concentration is concerned. I agree mixing shouldn't create any issue.

KEITH FERGUSON · Jul 27, 2018

Thanks... I think I will continue looking for copper power. Made it this far..don't want any added problems. Thanks....

4FordFamily · Jul 27, 2018

HotRocks said:
Definitely would not recommend using coppersafe without a hanna checker on hand. Their numbers are all over the place as far as each bottle's concentration is concerned. I agree mixing shouldn't create any issue.

And I will again confirm coppersafe is a disaster of a product if consistent potency or consistent anything is concerned, unfortunately.

starypotter · Aug 25, 2018

I want to cycle my QT with filter floss from my DT. But about 2/3 weeks ago I had to use prime in my DT during a mini cycle because of transferring tanks and upgrading. Can I no longer use that filter floss to cycle a tank that will see copper?
Additionally I had a setup with PVC that I had to use prime on. It's 100% new water and a new tank, but the PVC was not cleaned. Do I need to change something or clean everything before I start a copper treatment?

HotRocks · Aug 25, 2018

If the water is new, it shouldn't be an issue.

Brew12 · Aug 25, 2018

starypotter said:
I want to cycle my QT with filter floss from my DT. But about 2/3 weeks ago I had to use prime in my DT during a mini cycle because of transferring tanks and upgrading. Can I no longer use that filter floss to cycle a tank that will see copper?
Additionally I had a setup with PVC that I had to use prime on. It's 100% new water and a new tank, but the PVC was not cleaned. Do I need to change something or clean everything before I start a copper treatment?

Prime is only effective for around 3 days. It will be fine to use that filter floss.

starypotter · Aug 25, 2018

Brew12 said:
Prime is only effective for around 3 days. It will be fine to use that filter floss.

HotRocks said:
If the water is new, it shouldn't be an issue.

Thank you both! I'm glad to have multiple people confirm this as being okay.

starypotter · Aug 30, 2018

Back again,
I've skimmed through and see the two different sorts of copper used here. If I'm going to be getting a Hanna checker anyway, is there one that's better than another? And since I'm doing a prophylactic treatment, should I start with copper as the first treatment or one of the other medicines for intestinal/internal issues?

HotRocks · Aug 30, 2018

starypotter said:
Back again,
I've skimmed through and see the two different sorts of copper used here. If I'm going to be getting a Hanna checker anyway, is there one that's better than another? And since I'm doing a prophylactic treatment, should I start with copper as the first treatment or one of the other medicines for intestinal/internal issues?

Copper power is the least harsh across the board it seems. You can still feed foods soaked with meds for internal issues during copper treatment.

starypotter · Aug 30, 2018

HotRocks said:
Copper power is the least harsh across the board it seems. You can still feed foods soaked with meds for internal issues during copper treatment.

Okay I'll look for a thread about how to do that, it would be great to be able to do something as a two in one sort of deal, I'd just worry about the fish actually consuming the medication and probably always worry if they're getting enough. I'm sure when I find that thread I'll find those answers.

HotRocks · Aug 30, 2018

starypotter said:
Okay I'll look for a thread about how to do that, it would be great to be able to do something as a two in one sort of deal, I'd just worry about the fish actually consuming the medication and probably always worry if they're getting enough. I'm sure when I find that thread I'll find those answers.

1 scoop of metro/focus per 1 tablespoon of prepared frozen food.

starypotter · Aug 30, 2018

HotRocks said:
1 scoop of metro/focus per 1 tablespoon of prepared frozen food.

Just found your info there, thanks! I actually haven't noticed any stringy poop in my fish, or in any of the fish at LFS, but I do see some very rare behavior that might be close to flashing? I saw it happen once. It also might be because my clownfish really seems to think one of the decorations in QT is an anemone host.
Would there be anything that I really should be looking specifically for, I've got a fish that's put on weight so hopefully nothing major internally. All of them are eating well. I'm keeping them in QT another several weeks because LFS runs low dose copper, but I think my that the observations I've got now are heading in a good direction I should hope. I just want to have some major things on hand since shipping from some of these places can take a while. I've already got prazi and metro, so I figure once I've got copper I should be good.

Fizbang · Sep 24, 2018

Im trying to make sure I use the correct dosage, so I have found the 1ML of water = 1 Gram. Does anyone know if 1ML of Copper Power is also 1 Gram so I can use my scale to measure the dose.

Fizbang · Sep 24, 2018

I will be trying to dose Copper Power can anyone confirm if 1 ML = 1 Gram like water or does it have a different density?

HotRocks · Sep 24, 2018

Fizbang said:
I will be trying to dose Copper Power can anyone confirm if 1 ML = 1 Gram like water or does it have a different density?

Not exactly sure. I can definitely check when I get home. I would venture to guess the weight would be very close to water.

Rattzreef · Sep 25, 2018

I have a QT/Coppersafe question guys. I've recently added Coppersafe to my QT for 2 new clowns I got. I was having issues with the colors of the API tests so I purchased a Hanna checker and just did my first test which is currently at .81ppm. I want to raise it to 1.7. Would I add half the recommended amount to reach that or would it be less?
I added 1.5ml for the first four days and 2ml the fifth and sixth for 10ml total to my 10g QT. So I knew I wasn't all the way dosed yet. According to the box I'd need 12.5ml. I did a 4g water change on Sunday and added 2ml to the WC bucket before performing it and stopped dosing until my Hanna arrived today.. It only came with six reagent packets so I want to get as close as possible and only test once or maybe twice until I can order more reagents.. 4FordFamily you're Youtube video was most helpful by the way as far as how to use the Hanna. Kudos
Any input would be totally appreciated.. Thanks.

HotRocks · Sep 25, 2018

Rattzreef said:
I have a QT/Coppersafe question guys. I've recently added Coppersafe to my QT for 2 new clowns I got. I was having issues with the colors of the API tests so I purchased a Hanna checker and just did my first test which is currently at .81ppm. I want to raise it to 1.7. Would I add half the recommended amount to reach that or would it be less?
I added 1.5ml for the first four days and 2ml the fifth and sixth for 10ml total to my 10g QT. So I knew I wasn't all the way dosed yet. According to the box I'd need 12.5ml. I did a 4g water change on Sunday and added 2ml to the WC bucket before performing it and stopped dosing until my Hanna arrived today.. It only came with six reagent packets so I want to get as close as possible and only test once or maybe twice until I can order more reagents.. 4FordFamily you're Youtube video was most helpful by the way as far as how to use the Hanna. Kudos
Any input would be totally appreciated.. Thanks.

In theory, you would need to add another 10ml to increase to the 1.6ppm mark based on your dosing/testing/math.

Although if I read right you did a WC and only added back 2ml to 4 gallons so that would reduce your dosing by two ml.

This seems like you may have some absorbtion going on. Maybe add 4ml (at whatever rate per day you have been) and test again to get a better control point.

What all is in the tank?

Rattzreef · Sep 25, 2018

I added 4ml more and tested again.. I got a 1.6 reading. Ill test again tomorrow and again Friday to see if any absorption is happening. I have a HOB filter on there with a month and a half old bag with only 1/2 cup of GAC. The package says if the carbon was more than two weeks old to just leave it in there.. I had QT'd a Chromis prior to these two with hypo.. Its possible the carbon has absorbed some but I'll monitor it. I'm ordering more packets this weekend. First time using copper in a QT. its been interesting. LOL the fish are doing fine tho. They're eating at least.