Help!!! Overdosed with CopperPower @ 1.06ppm???

Tanggy · May 30, 2018

I need help. I have a lineatus wrasse that's not responding to food. It's been hiding in the PVC for the last 2 days. I've had him for about 3 wks in QT. He's been eating well and swimming about. I started CopperPower treatment last friday (5 days ago). I added 1.5ml in the morning and 1.5 ml in the evening (total to reach 1.75ppm is 21 ml). He started acting very scared and had not been swimming about the last 2 days. I used the Hanna Copper test and shows copper being 1.06 yesterday. Since then I've placed carbon and cuprisorb to remove the copper. I also did 50% water change today. Based on the Hanna copper checker the copper in the QT is 0.45... I am planning on doing more water changes soon. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO??? I've always used cupramine. This is the first time using copper power and it's disheartening...

HotRocks · May 30, 2018

Why do you think you overdosed?

Therapuetic minimum is 1.5ppm.

Sounds like you may have encountered a "copper sensitive" fish.

What size is your QT? Also how well are you oxygenating the water? Powerhead aimed up? Airstone?

4FordFamily · May 30, 2018

Did you add Dr. Tims or Biospira to the QT for a cycle jumpstart (ammonia)?

Some wrasse can be sensitive, but I would treat the wrasse af a minimum of 1.75 PPM. Cupramine is harsher and .5 is the recommended dose of that.

mfinn · May 30, 2018

With wrasses I always take 4-5 days to get the copper up to therapeutic levels.

Malawi_Illinois · May 30, 2018

If the level of copper rose too quickly, the wrasse may simply be rather stressed, which seems to be the behavior it is exhibiting. Low lighting may help reduce some stress.

Tanggy · May 30, 2018

HotRocks said:
Why do you think you overdosed?

Therapuetic minimum is 1.5ppm.

Sounds like you may have encountered a "copper sensitive" fish.

What size is your QT? Also how well are you oxygenating the water? Powerhead aimed up? Airstone?

QT is 20 gallon. I've air stone and a jebao wave maker in there. I am using an aquaclear 50 (the big one)...

Tanggy · May 30, 2018

mfinn said:
With wrasses I always take 4-5 days to get the copper up to therapeutic levels.

I calculated to reach 1.75ppm it would take about 7 days. The lineatus started acting weird after 3 days...

Tanggy · May 30, 2018

4FordFamily said:
Did you add Dr. Tims or Biospira to the QT for a cycle jumpstart (ammonia)?

Some wrasse can be sensitive, but I would treat the wrasse af a minimum of 1.75 PPM. Cupramine is harsher and .5 is the recommended dose of that.

I added Dr. Tims to help with the cycle. The seachem ammonia badge indicates safe level...

Tanggy · May 30, 2018

For now i am still doing water changes to reduce the amount of copper in the QT. Also adding mysis to see if he will eat...I just check copper is at 0.45ppm.

Tanggy · May 30, 2018

Malawi_Illinois said:
If the level of copper rose too quickly, the wrasse may simply be rather stressed, which seems to be the behavior it is exhibiting. Low lighting may help reduce some stress.

Yes, i've lowed the lights. Did eat yesterday and today. Hopefully he'll start to come around.