Emergency blue tang with ich

[Rickybobby]

Of course here we go. So I’m using copper safe which is 5ml for 4 gallons. Dosed that exact amount. Is that the real correct amount to fight ich? I checked with API copper test kit and it only shows 1.0 ppm please help

 

[Rickybobby]

Please guys I saw an old post about the numbers. Being off. So if I have doses 5ml for 4 gallons. I dosed accordingly around 7 - 5ml does. Which was about right with the rock in there. I will go and get a Salifert kit tomorrow which is all I can get. I’ve never had ich before. This is in qt and I love my fish

 

[Maritimer]

Hi, Rickybobby!

Back when everyone was using color-based test kits for copper, the API kit was the one recommended for chelated copper formulations (CopperSafe, Copper Power). It's not always easy to read the color results - I had mine up somewhere near 4.0ppm at one point!

These days, most of the folks who are serious about it seem to be using the Hanna test, which is quite a bit easier to get a clear reading from.

@Jay Hemdal or some of the folks on the #reefsquad may be able to offer further clarification.

~B.

 

[Rickybobby]

I’ve been reading that the standard 5ml for 4 gallons is is about 1ppm ish. My API said about 1ppm. So I did some math and added 20ml in total more and the kit reads above 1 but not 2ppm after all I read. Why can’t someone say for copper safe to have 2.0ppm you need this many ml per gallon

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi, Rickybobby!

Back when everyone was using color-based test kits for copper, the API kit was the one recommended for chelated copper formulations (CopperSafe, Copper Power). It's not always easy to read the color results - I had mine up somewhere near 4.0ppm at one point!

These days, most of the folks who are serious about it seem to be using the Hanna test, which is quite a bit easier to get a clear reading from.

@Jay Hemdal or some of the folks on the #reefsquad may be able to offer further clarification.

~B.

I use the API kit, but I cheat and read it on a spectrophotometer. I agree the test is difficult to eyeball.
I know some people say the coppersafe dose is a bit on the light side, I’m not sure if it is or not. I use it by the gallon and it is indeed safe, but it is also slow at curing strong infections....
Jay

 

[Rickybobby]

So should I keep adding copper safe until I see 2.0 ppm on the API chart? I tried this. Before and no matter how much I added. The Colour never increased

 

[Rickybobby]

I use the API kit, but I cheat and read it on a spectrophotometer. I agree the test is difficult to eyeball.
I know some people say the coppersafe dose is a bit on the light side, I’m not sure if it is or not. I use it by the gallon and it is indeed safe, but it is also slow at curing strong infections....
Jay

Jay should I try the salifert kit? I believe it is available locally for me.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

So should I keep adding copper safe until I see 2.0 ppm on the API chart? I tried this. Before and no matter how much I added. The Colour never increased

No - I’ve found the coppersafe dose is pretty good at the 5 ml per 4 gallons, if your test kit isn’t registering an increase don’t trust it.
Jay

 

[DaddyFish]

So should I keep adding copper safe until I see 2.0 ppm on the API chart? I tried this. Before and no matter how much I added. The Colour never increased

NO!!! Absolutely not!!!

Do not trust the results you are getting from any single color-based test kit for copper.
The Fritz CopperSafe dosing directions are precise and work well.

I see Jay beat me to it!!!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Jay should I try the salifert kit? I believe it is available locally for me.

Yes, people have said that works better (I haven’t used it myself)
Jay

 

[DaddyFish]

Yes, people have said that works better (I haven’t used it myself)
Jay

I have three kits (Seachem, Salifert, API) and the Hanna checker now. The Salifert definitely reads the closest to the Hanna Checker when testing Fritz CopperSafe, but it's still off by 25% typically. The Seachem kit isn't in the same ballpark, and my API kit is high one test and way low the other. Only the Hanna checker gives me consistent results that coincide with the printed dosing directions on the CopperSafe label.

I strongly suggest to dose carefully per the label directions, pre-dose ALL water changes and just be very careful about keeping carbon out of your system while running copper.

 

[Rickybobby]

Dory is looking better this morning. We all know really what is happening but she’s well and eating. I will go get a salofert today as well and see what I have. I don’t want to overdose at all. Thanks for everyone’s help

 

[Rickybobby]

Just got a salifert copper kit man it gave me a real number. Was almost at 2.0 ppm. Awesome I was able to dial it in finally !