Help using Cupramine with Tang in QT

[citymouse]

So when to I check the copper levels during the increase? I'm thinking after the first few days. I just started 2 days ago, just want to make sure I do everything right.
After I reach therapeutic levels, what do I do? Will that level stay the same? do I monitor it and if so, how often?

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

So when to I check the copper levels during the increase? I'm thinking after the first few days. I just started 2 days ago, just want to make sure I do everything right.
After I reach therapeutic levels, what do I do? Will that level stay the same? do I monitor it and if so, how often?

I test every day but that’s me some people every other day etc, I just like to catch any swing in copper from absorbtion before it drops below therapeutic levels

 

[citymouse]

UPDATE: I reached theraputic levels after drops, not sure if this is normal for a 20g but glad I did the 5 drops twice a day! I'm pretty sure the blue is .5...I'll post pictures of .4 and .5 that I compared, what do you think? I I used the seachem test kit...speaking of which, is it normal that it comes with a tiny amount of powder in that little tube thing?

Anyway, my fish looks better, I've been feeding a lot more, god I hope I wasn't starving him before and that's why got thin!! But it does look like he's gaining. His breathing has slowed to what I believe is now normal. BUT he has new fin damage, first time I've seen his fin not looking perfect! I think I have a pic to share of that too.

 

[citymouse]

OH and I still don't know what to add if I do drop below this level during the days, how many drops? Do I just add 5 at a time again to bring it back up? I don't think anyone answered this, I did scroll up and look, in case I just forgot

I also have a glass top so evaporation isn't much of an issue, it's slow.

Thank you again!! I needed help getting through all of this, it's new to me.

 

[Victoria M]

I have a just a small piece to add. I would like to encourage you to use a syringe to measure and not trust the drops. Hard lesson learned. And if you have glass tops I encourage you to use a air bubbler. It brings fresh air into the the aquarium environment as well as increased surface agitation to promote gas exchange. A lot of QT folks discourage the use of glass tops because of they limit gas exchange. Oxygenation is a serious concern especially with concurrent medication use in QT.

 

[citymouse]

I have a just a small piece to add. I would like to encourage you to use a syringe to measure and not trust the drops. Hard lesson learned. And if you have glass tops I encourage you to use a air bubbler. It brings fresh air into the the aquarium environment as well as increased surface agitation to promote gas exchange. A lot of QT folks discourage the use of glass tops because of they limit gas exchange. Oxygenation is a serious concern especially with concurrent medication use in QT.

I have a HOB filter for a 55g, but my tank is only 20g, I also have a power head about 1/4 of the way down and pointing slightly upward, lots of movement in and on top of the water. Isn't this enough? I have air filters that I can hook up with air stones if needed.

 

[Victoria M]

I have a HOB filter for a 55g, but my tank is only 20g, I also have a power head about 1/4 of the way down and pointing slightly upward, lots of movement in and on top of the water. Isn't this enough? I have air filters that I can hook up with air stones if needed.

I do not think it is enough with glass tops. They just reduce the fresh air available for gas exchange. I had improved fish behaviors when I added an air stone. Less lethargy and hiding. Double medications is said to strip the water of oxygen. The other thing the air stones add is redundancy. But you have a hang on back filter and a power head that provides redundancy. It is up to you.

 

[citymouse]

I do not think it is enough with glass tops. They just reduce the fresh air available for gas exchange. I had improved fish behaviors when I added an air stone. Less lethargy and hiding. Double medications is said to strip the water of oxygen. The other thing the air stones add is redundancy. But you have a hang on back filter and a power head that provides redundancy. It is up to you.

the fish act normal when I'm not near the tank, I can sit and watch them when I'm on my computer from across the room, they swim around normal, eat a ton of food etc. I'm more concerned with why this Yellow Tang seems to have on unidentifiable issue after another...well, Flukes are pretty straight forward and he was fine for a while after. Months later he's thin and breathing rapidly, I'm feeding more and he seems to be fattening up a bit. I'm only treating with Cupramine, nothing else. But it's easy enough to add the air filter and stone and it can't hurt, so I'll hook that up . My other concern is his fins no looking the way they do...it's never ending with this one.

 

[Victoria M]

You know I had similiar experiences with yellow tangs when I first started and I gave up after the third one, I think. Keep plugging along reef friend. You are doing great.

 

[citymouse]

New Question: So, the picture above shows a little nick in the yellow Tangs fin, that is now larger. I have a week to go on the 14 day cupramine. Fish are stilling acting the same, eating, yellow has definitely gained his weight back, sadly I think I might have been under feeding him before and I feel like an idiot! I give them seaweed twice a day now and the eat it like crazy! I also give them frozen food ever couple of days or so (whenever I remember).
What is up with his fins though? This started before I started the cupramine treatment, so it's not copper related (if that's a thing).
Will the copper help his fins or am I dealing with something else? I have antibiotics on hand if after the copper is removed, they need to try that..I just don't want to over medicate these fish.

On a side note, I added a power head prior to this fin issue, I thought maybe he got nicked, but now that it seems to have spread, I'm thinking that's not the case.