Cupramine to Copper Power

flfireman1 · Jun 8, 2018

I have a QT that is running with full dose of Cupramine at .45. I would like to switch over to Copper power since I am having a hard time maintaining the level of cupramine at .45. It seems to drop almost daily to .36. My question is can I do a complete water change and swap out the fish starting them now at full dose Copper Power or do I still need to ramp up the copper power over a number of days even though they were in full dose Cupramine? Thanks
@Humblefish

drstardust · Jun 8, 2018

An interesting question to which I don't know the answer. I certainly would not mix the two in any capacity. I would think test after water change to make sure no traces of Cupramine are left (I'm assuming you're using Hanna checker based on those specific numbers). Then use cuprisorb/polyfilter if need be. Intuitively I would ramp up Copper Power at a moderate rate moving forward, like over 3-5 days. Just my thoughts, but since I haven't actually encountered this scenario, let's wait to see what others think

themcfreak · Jun 8, 2018

I would question why your levels are decreasing? As I understand (and I am new to copper) copper should not decrease unless you remove it. It doesn't get exported any other way. You don't have carbon/polyfilter/cuprisorb right? Are you removing water for a water change? It is also possible it isn't changing. Accuracy (per Hanna) is plus/minus 0.05 ppm, which means your 0.45 could be 0.40 and your 0.36 could also be 0.40. I am not saying it isn't decreasing by any means, but I don't think it can decrease on its own?

flfireman1 · Jun 8, 2018

It’s been too consistent in the drop to chalk it up to +/- of the tester. It may be the filter floss affecting it. Either way it doesn’t seem to affect the CopperSafe.

deedubz · Jun 8, 2018

Because it's two different types of copper, vs say coppersafe to copper power, I'd personally do the waterchange and then slowly raise it. Are these fish being treated for ich/velvet or is this prophylactic? If the latter, I'd do it over a few days. If you have velvet you'd want to do it over 24-48 hours. This is pure speculation though, as I've never needed to do it.

Hopefully we'll get a more definitive answer because I'm curious myself.
@Humblefish @melypr1985 @Big G @HotRocks @4FordFamily Have any of you done this?

Humblefish · Jun 8, 2018

^^ I agree with @dwwataz

Two completely different types of copper, different chemicals being used. So, I would remove all of the Cupramine, and then slowly ramp up Copper Power.

JBKReef · Aug 14, 2018

Humblefish said:
^^ I agree with @dwwataz

Two completely different types of copper, different chemicals being used. So, I would remove all of the Cupramine, and then slowly ramp up Copper Power.

Would Cuprisorb work on both types of copper chemical to ensure the water is stripped?