help reading this chemetrics copper

[acr0p0ra]

Hey Everyone.
I am having trouble reading this chemetrics copper test kit.
I have two seperate QT systems. I will post the pictures in the replies.

 

[acr0p0ra]

This system looks lower than 2ppm to me but the PBT that had spots has cleared up.

 

[acr0p0ra]

This system looks like it is reading 2ppm to me but the hippo that has been in here for weeks still has spots

 

[Gmj4409]

I have same kit. Sample needs to be read at one minute mark for saltwater (not 2 minute) per their web site/video. I’ve also found natural sunlight to be tough read. I like to stand under or very close to a indoor light source & then place the test vial on the reference card. Tilting the reference card up slightly from flat/horizontal will then bring the colors into a more readable focus. I know - shouldn’t be this hard! Still better than API Test IMO

 

[acr0p0ra]

also, getting a decent amount of fish scratching but showing no spots which is making me think the copper is not high enough to kill the parasite but it is keeping it at bay?

 

[Gmj4409]

also, getting a decent amount of fish scratching but showing no spots which is making me think the copper is not high enough to kill the parasite but it is keeping it at bay?

That sample shade looks familiar to when I was using 2 minute wait. My gut feel is you’re over 2 right now. I suggest you try another test & read at 1 minute mark with the slight tilt I suggested (less than 1 inch up or down).

 

[coweyes298]

Place the sample butted to the reference white board. Tilt it to a point until you can see light transmit through the water in the sample.

 

[Humblefish]

My gut feel is you’re over 2 right now.

+1 Have any of the fish been tested for flukes via freshwater dip? Also, can you post some pics of the Hippo Tang showing the spots? Might not be ich, velvet, etc.

 

[acr0p0ra]

thanks for the tips. here are a few pictures with and with out flash. I think I am around 3 or a little over. time for a water change?
Could this be causing the scratching?

I have dipped for flukes on 2 of the fish and nothing came off.

 

[Humblefish]

I think you need to lower it some. What is API reading?

 

[acr0p0ra]

I think you need to lower it some. What is API reading?

what do you think the reading is? COuld the scratching be from the copper being too high?

 

[acr0p0ra]

test is to the left

 

[Humblefish]

what do you think the reading is? COuld the scratching be from the copper being too high?

I think you’ve somewhere between 3-4ppm. Copper is a poison, so it is entirely possible that it is irritating the skin/scales.

 

[acr0p0ra]

I will begin water changes and post a new test in a day or two

 

[acr0p0ra]

Thanks everyone for your help

 

[tigé21v]

Thanks everyone for your help

I just got this kit the a couple of days ago. (@Maritimer , thank you so much for turning me onto this test kit!!)
Did my first test this morning, I'm using Copper Power and they have a 2.5ppm recommended concentration.
I'm not sure if I did it "correctly" or not, but I started the one minute timing as soon as I started mixing the sample, just as I do with my Hanna phosphate test. The glare on the vials makes reading a little hard, but I had good luck getting a reading I was comfortable with by making the comparison in a brightly lit room, near a window. It seemed that the light from each source helped to negate the glare.
I wish they had a 2.5ppm reference, but I'm confident I'm at 2.5ppm, or maybe a tad higher. Even if a tad high, it's still below 3ppm, and the fish seem happy and are eating well.