Hannnah Copper checker accuracy?

[Andrew Schubert]

So I decided to dose copper in my QT just to be safe. I wanted to monitor it closely so I bought the Hannah checker. The bottle of Cuprion says 1 drop per gallon to reach .2ppm. So I put 5 drops in the first day and the checker read .06. I then added 10 more drops the next day and checked. Now the checker read .04??? So I added 10 more drops. So 25 drops in all. (5 more then directions say I need for my 20 gallon QT). Now the checker reads .11. so I check again, and now it reads .15. I did the test one more time and it reads .05.

The Hannah checker has a +- .05, but this is more then that and all over the place. I dont dare add more copper and run the risk of killing my fish.

They've been in QT for a month with no issues. I might just give up and put them in the DT if this is the best I can monitor the copper levels:-(

 

[SinCityRee4r]

I use mine with copper power and it works great

 

[RMS18]

So I decided to dose copper in my QT just to be safe. I wanted to monitor it closely so I bought the Hannah checker. The bottle of Cuprion says 1 drop per gallon to reach .2ppm. So I put 5 drops in the first day and the checker read .06. I then added 10 more drops the next day and checked. Now the checker read .04??? So I added 10 more drops. So 25 drops in all. (5 more then directions say I need for my 20 gallon QT). Now the checker reads .11. so I check again, and now it reads .15. I did the test one more time and it reads .05.

The Hannah checker has a +- .05, but this is more then that and all over the place. I dont dare add more copper and run the risk of killing my fish.

They've been in QT for a month with no issues. I might just give up and put them in the DT if this is the best I can monitor the copper levels:-(

Just a few things to check before thinking it's the unit itself.
Are the vials being used clean with no smudges? - I place my vials back into the check in the same position they came out.
Are you getting all the powder out of the packet?
Is the powder being dissolved properly?

I can say my copper checker is spot on every time. I usually do 2 tests back to back just to be sure and my readings are never more than +/-1-2 difference.

I used to have the issue you are experiencing with my po4 checker. Ended up being user error.

 

[Andrew Schubert]

Just a few things to check before thinking it's the unit itself.
Are the vials being used clean with no smudges? - I place my vials back into the check in the same position they came out.
Are you getting all the powder out of the packet?
Is the powder being dissolved properly?

I can say my copper checker is spot on every time. I usually do 2 tests back to back just to be sure and my readings are never more than +/-1-2 difference.

I used to have the issue you are experiencing with my po4 checker. Ended up being user error.

Yeah I have the Phosphate, and Alk checker as well.they r very accurate. I do the same thing. Always test with the 10ml facing out, and never touch the glass with my hands. I always hold it with a paper towel and rense them out afterwards. Plus these viles are brand new at the moment, so about as clean as u can get.

 

[Andrew Schubert]

I thinking it just doesn't play well with Cuprion. where would i get copper powder? i wonder if copramine would work better. I got the Cuprion bc that's all BRS sells so figured it was the best:-(

 

[SinCityRee4r]

I thinking it just doesn't play well with Cuprion. where would i get copper powder? i wonder if copramine would work better. I got the Cuprion bc that's all BRS sells so figured it was the best:-(

amazon is where I ordered my copper power

 

[Andrew Schubert]

Yeah, I've never seen it in the fish store. Maybe I'll pick so e other copper up tomorrow. Don't really want to wait on Amazon. LoL...fish been in QT for a month and don't want to delay the process any longer.

 

[RMS18]

Yeah I have the Phosphate, and Alk checker as well.they r very accurate. I do the same thing. Always test with the 10ml facing out, and never touch the glass with my hands. I always hold it with a paper towel and rense them out afterwards. Plus these viles are brand new at the moment, so about as clean as u can get.

I would contact Hanna and see what they say. Can you bring your water to a LFS to test for copper in the meantime?

If your fish isnt showing signs of ick I would do a large water change and run carbon to remove the copper. Wait to run copper until you have this issue resolved. Not worth playing a guessing game and chance killing the fish.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

You don't have anything like rocks or sand in your QT that could be absorbing the copper? Just double checking. I also bought copper power and a Hanna HR copper checker. I bought my copper power from Amazon but haven't got any fish yet.

 

[Andrew Schubert]

I haven't one small 2inch size rock glued to a PVC pipe to help hold it. Otherwise the pipe just floats. That and the air stone r the only thing in the QT tank. But even if that was the issue, wouldn't explain why I get 3 readings so far off within seconds of each other

 

[Andrew Schubert]

If I were to try a different copper, I'd want to remove what's there first. How long does carbon take to remove the existing copper?

 

[jsvand5]

If I were to try a different copper, I'd want to remove what's there first. How long does carbon take to remove the existing copper?

Not sure how long carbon would take but since it’s a small qt tank I’d just do a 100% water change so then you know you’re starting back with zero copper. The fish will be fine as long as temps match.