How safe is copper?

[4FordFamily]

Unfortunately the visual testers are difficult. That doesn’t look like brook, so the only thing I can conjure is that either it’s a bad batch of copper (hard to imagine how), or it’s been subtherapeutic either the test is difficult to read or it’s a bad test (more likely).

 

[Phlynamjax]

That first photo is definitely velvet, IMO. For scale, how large is that butterfly?

If subtherapeutic copper is at play, it could keep velvet from taking over, but it remain reproducing at lower levels keeping it from being completely therapeutic.

Rock and sand, and who knows what else will cause swings in copper levels, especially initially.

My test kit is still reading at 0.5mg/L. Do you recommend that I try seachem test kit instead of salifert? Although I do have rocks, I do not have alot, only a single piece of rock that is about 7~8lbs. However, I do have 30lbs of sand. I am not sure how to increase the copper level when it is reading 0.5mg/l on the test kit. The butterfly is about 4.5 to 5 inch. It is pretty good size, very thick body. Should I try chelated copper instead?

 

[4FordFamily]

My test kit is still reading at 0.5mg/L. Do you recommend that I try seachem test kit instead of salifert? Although I do have rocks, I do not have alot, only a single piece of rock that is about 7~8lbs. However, I do have 30lbs of sand. I am not sure how to increase the copper level when it is reading 0.5mg/l on the test kit. The butterfly is about 4.5 to 5 inch. It is pretty good size, very thick body. Should I try chelated copper instead?

Perhaps switch to copper power and use the api kit since the hanna checker is on backorder. The sand doesn’t absorb much it’s typically rock. The rock can absorb a TON IME

 

[HotRocks]

My test kit is still reading at 0.5mg/L. Do you recommend that I try seachem test kit instead of salifert? Although I do have rocks, I do not have alot, only a single piece of rock that is about 7~8lbs. However, I do have 30lbs of sand. I am not sure how to increase the copper level when it is reading 0.5mg/l on the test kit. The butterfly is about 4.5 to 5 inch. It is pretty good size, very thick body. Should I try chelated copper instead?

I did also look into matrix, @Humblefish is experimenting with it now. He is on 11th day not experiencing any absorption. So I think we can rule that out.

Do you have a Sump? Is that where the matrix is located? Or just running a HOB?

 

[Phlynamjax]

Perhaps switch to copper power and use the api kit since the hanna checker is on backorder. The sand doesn’t absorb much it’s typically rock. The rock can absorb a TON IME

Can I mix copper? Since I currently have cupramine in the tank already.

 

[Phlynamjax]

I did also look into matrix, @Humblefish is experimenting with it now. He is on 11th day not experiencing any absorption. So I think we can rule that out.

Do you have a Sump? Is that where the matrix is located? Or just running a HOB?

I have sump and I accounted for that as well. I have matrix in sump. My sump is rather simple, filtersock, skimmer, 15 liters of matrix and a return pump. I ran skimmer during the copper treatment. In display, I have 7~8lbs of rocks, 30lbs of Tropic Eden reefflake and 2 powerheads.

 

[HotRocks]

I have sump and I accounted for that as well. I have matrix in sump. My sump is rather simple, filtersock, skimmer, 15 liters of matrix and a return pump. I ran skimmer during the copper treatment. In display, I have 7~8lbs of rocks, 30lbs of Tropic Eden reefflake and 2 powerheads.

Depending on how many gallons of water is in your sump, you may have never reached the therapeutic level of .5ppm. It takes 15.3ml to reach the .5ppm level in 80 gallons of water (Without Displacement), that being said, all of this would make complete sense, if your sump holds more than 4 gallons, which I would assume it does. Not to mention the absorption.

If you switch to chelated copper you will want to remove the cupramine from your system first. You would have to do large water changes and run carbon.

 

[Phlynamjax]

Depending on how many gallons of water is in your sump, you may have never reached the therapeutic level of .5ppm. It takes 15.3ml to reach the .5ppm level in 80 gallons of water (Without Displacement), that being said, all of this would make complete sense, if your sump holds more than 4 gallons, which I would assume it does. Not to mention the absorption.

If you switch to chelated copper you will want to remove the cupramine from your system first. You would have to do large water changes and run carbon.

I see your point. However, I technically do not have 80g of water volume due to the media, sand and rock. And my test kit was showing 0.5mg/L so I trusted my test kit. It is really difficult for me to add extra copper when test kit is showing at 0.5mg/L because I am afraid that I will overdose the copper (since its poison). I think I am going to give seachem CU kit a try so I can cross reference with my salifert KIT. I am really hoping my copper is not at therapeutic level because this is easy to fix.

 

[HotRocks]

I see your point. However, I technically do not have 80g of water volume due to the media, sand and rock. And my test kit was showing 0.5mg/L so I trusted my test kit. It is really difficult for me to add extra copper when test kit is showing at 0.5mg/L because I am afraid that I will overdose the copper (since its poison). I think I am going to give seachem CU kit a try so I can cross reference with my salifert KIT. I am really hoping my copper is not at therapeutic level because this is easy to fix.

I get it, and yes, easy to fix. Just dose more copper if you aren't to the level.

Def wouldn't hurt to try the seachem test kit for Cu. I have lost a lot of faith in reading visual tests lately.

For example. 80 gallon display + 20 gallon Sump =100 gallon System
With only 8lbs of rock 30lbs of sand, misc equipment and pumps. Probably -10 gallons displacement. Then treat for 90 gallons.

 

[Phlynamjax]

I just want to update the thread. After testing with Seachem Copper kit. I was significantly below the therapeutic level. After I raised to 0.5 mg/L using seachem test kit, all white spots were gone in few days. I did loss 2 Regal angels, 1 Goldflake and 1 potters angel during this time. However, everyone else is doing really well. I am little upset that I loss some of my favorite fishes due to $20 test kit. Color matching test kit just don't seem very reliable and I should have used few other test kits. I am glad that the my tank is doing better and I learned alot from this lesson. Thanks everyone.

 

[HotRocks]

I just want to update the thread. After testing with Seachem Copper kit. I was significantly below the therapeutic level. After I raised to 0.5 mg/L using seachem test kit, all white spots were gone in few days. I did loss 2 Regal angels, 1 Goldflake and 1 potters angel during this time. However, everyone else is doing really well. I am little upset that I loss some of my favorite fishes due to $20 test kit. Color matching test kit just don't seem very reliable and I should have used few other test kits. I am glad that the my tank is doing better and I learned alot from this lesson. Thanks everyone.

Sorry for your losses. I have been there as well, no fun.

Glad you got it sorted out and that you are now seeing improvement!

 

[Buh Buh Bacon]

There's only one type of copper, smart reefers and reef company owners use in the industry. IT is a special copper from New Jersey. I'll have to get back to you with the name. No copper is safe for reef tanks but it is great for treating fish.

 

[Buh Buh Bacon]

No copper is reef safe but there is a blue copper out of a company from new jersey that is best for treating sick fish. I'll have to get back to you with the name. Private message me so I don't forget. It's the only brand we use to treat the sick fish in our quarantine tanks and fish only tanks when new livestock comes in.

 

[HotRocks]

No copper is reef safe but there is a blue copper out of a company from new jersey that is best for treating sick fish. I'll have to get back to you with the name. Private message me so I don't forget. It's the only brand we use to treat the sick fish in our quarantine tanks and fish only tanks when new livestock comes in.

I do believe what you are speaking of is Copper Power. Which was what we recommended above. Endich, Inc. Makes it and they are located in NJ.
Copper power blue is the saltwater version. I think they also make one for freshwater use as well.

 

[Buh Buh Bacon]

Yes that's it. We don't use anything else in our aquaculture facility.

 

[Buh Buh Bacon]

I do believe what you are speaking of is Copper Power. Which was what we recommended above. Endich, Inc. Makes it and they are located in NJ.
Copper power blue is the saltwater version. I think they also make one for freshwater use as well.

Copper Power Blue for Saltwater. Thats it!