Help copper problem

Saaqib_Ansari · Jun 21, 2020

Hi I’ve made a mistake.

Firstly I use tap water with a conditioner. Yes I know. I’ve signed up to a RODI scheme so will hopefully sort that out

So I’m quarantining fish. It’s been a week they’re in the tank 70L yellow tang blue tang and a foxface rabbitfish all are tiny fish 2” max. I decided to do a copper treatment just in case for ich. I thought I’d do a 15L water change then add the cupramine. So I did the water change added maybe 1ml of API stress coat as the conditioner. Then added 30 drops (1.5ml) cupramine.

I’ve then read the bottle and it says DO NOT add this with any water conditioners as it can make the copper toxic.

safe to say had a mini heartattsck - took some water from my display tank in a bucket 15L placed the fish in there with a heater and filter. Now I have no idea what to do now. Honestly feeling this hobby isn’t for me

ForTheLoveOfCoral21 · Jun 21, 2020

Make Fresh water with out the tap conditioner. Do a 100% water change. as long as the water doesn't spike ammonia in the holding bucket you will be ok.

Saaqib_Ansari · Jun 21, 2020

ECCD said:
Make Fresh water with out the tap conditioner. Do a 100% water change. as long as the water doesn't spike ammonia in the holding bucket you will be ok.

What shall I do with that fresh water?

Saaqib_Ansari · Jun 21, 2020

ECCD said:
Make Fresh water with out the tap conditioner. Do a 100% water change. as long as the water doesn't spike ammonia in the holding bucket you will be ok.

My thought process was, empty the QT clean it thoroughly, then fill it with my display tank water, then add the fish back then use the copper?

Saaqib_Ansari · Jun 21, 2020

? Need to know what to do after work tomorrow guys

Riphter · Jun 21, 2020

They were saying just mix up a new batch of salt water. Replace 100% of your QT. Don’t use any conditioner. I would stop by a reef shop and buy some ro/di if you are able.

Saaqib_Ansari · Jun 21, 2020

Riphter said:
They were saying just mix up a new batch of salt water. Replace 100% of your QT. Don’t use any conditioner. I would stop by a reef shop and buy some ro/di if you are able.

Would the method I said not work? Using 100% water from my DT?

Riphter · Jun 21, 2020

It would. But what will you use to replace what you took from your DT. I wouldn’t use tap water. Personal preference.

Dr. Reef · Jun 21, 2020

Like stated above, replace 100% qt water and replace it with either your tank water or freshly made saltwater with rodi water.
If your main tank is empty and not running you can take the water from it and let it run a little low. But if it's got livestock then you need to fill it back up with saltwater, either make some or buy premade.

Saaqib_Ansari · Jun 21, 2020

Dr. Reef said:
Like stated above, replace 100% qt water and replace it with either your tank water or freshly made saltwater with rodi water.
If your main tank is empty and not running you can take the water from it and let it run a little low. But if it's got livestock then you need to fill it back up with saltwater, either make some or buy premade.

My tank has been running for a year on tap water with conditioner I know it’s not ideal but it’s working til I get something sorted. So I can just fill that up again. As I don’t use cupramine in that tank

Riphter · Jun 21, 2020

Do what works for you. But in the future (near) I would switch. Cost of an ro/di vs the cost of constantly fixing issues that are probably related to tap water will be significant. Lfs stores usually sell ro/di for pretty cheap. You can even use you own buckets as long as you have lids. Facebook reefing groups in your area might be selling used ro systems. New filters usually cost half or less of what a new set up would cost. Save a ton of money. I have really bad tap water. I don’t think my reef would live if I used it. 650+ tds and 1-2 ppm is chloramine and silica to top it off. Not to mention whatever else is in there. I don’t even drink it. I have a separate drinking water ro system.

Saaqib_Ansari · Jun 21, 2020

Riphter said:
Do what works for you. But in the future (near) I would switch. Cost of an ro/di vs the cost of constantly fixing issues that are probably related to tap water will be significant. Lfs stores usually sell ro/di for pretty cheap. You can even use you own buckets as long as you have lids. Facebook reefing groups in your area might be selling used ro systems. New filters usually cost half or less of what a new set up would cost. Save a ton of money. I have really bad tap water. I don’t think my reef would live if I used it. 650+ tds and 1-2 ppm is chloramine and silica to top it off. Not to mention whatever else is in there. I don’t even drink it. I have a separate drinking water ro system.

I’ve had a look at all options.
buy a RODI unit £100 but we have a water meter so we’re charged for all water costs. I think it’s near 1.7p a litre. RODI units waste a lot of water so I don’t think that would be efficient for me. I’ve found a company that provides RODI water a 45 minutes drive from me. It’s like a petrol pump you go fill up ur canister and go home. I’ve bought 6 25L Jerry cans and made a account with the company now they charge 3p a Litre. So will be going on Thursday to fill up 150L of RODI and will move on from there

Saaqib_Ansari · Jun 21, 2020

By the way my LFS is ridiculous £3.50 for 20Litres

Riphter · Jun 21, 2020

Saaqib_Ansari said:
I’ve had a look at all options.
buy a RODI unit £100 but we have a water meter so we’re charged for all water costs. I think it’s near 1.7p a litre. RODI units waste a lot of water so I don’t think that would be efficient for me. I’ve found a company that provides RODI water a 45 minutes drive from me. It’s like a petrol pump you go fill up ur canister and go home. I’ve bought 6 25L Jerry cans and made a account with the company now they charge 3p a Litre. So will be going on Thursday to fill up 150L of RODI and will move on from there

That’s a good start. Water quality is the single best thing you can do for a reef. Don’t forget stability.

Riphter · Jun 21, 2020

Saaqib_Ansari said:
By the way my LFS is ridiculous £3.50 for 20Litres

Europe is rough. I’ve been there. Things are more expensive. Check with a local Reefer. If you lived near me I’d fill some buckets for free. You would just have to hang out for a bit. About 2 hours per bucket. I’ve got a diy beast of a system. Because of my tap water....