LFS runs copper

bknapp · Oct 29, 2016

I just purchased two fish from my LFS and they're going into my QT, and this is where I get a little confused. They're (the LFS) use copper (Cupramine), unsure of the level I'll be testing it, but would it be best to dose my QT up to the copper level they came from and continue the copper or just place them into my copper free QT? I've got all the test kits and copper products needed.

Thanks for any input.

drawman · Oct 29, 2016

I guess it depends on how much you trust them. You would have to assume they had a therapeutic level of copper maintained for the correct amount of time. I personally wouldn't trust this. You could restart the clock and do copper on your own or keep the fish in observational quarantine and treat as needed

.

If you don't suspect velvet as an issue atm in your fish I'm a huge fan of TTM with prazi!

bknapp · Oct 29, 2016

I know TTM is probably the preferred method but I don't have the time or facilities to perform it correctly.

I was going to test the level before introduction. They would get the minimum treatment at least regardless. And also two rounds of prazi.

TheEngineer · Oct 29, 2016

You can go from full copper to no copper right away, you don't need to match copper levels. They may not be running at therapeutic levels anyhow. If you have the copper test kit, see where the level is.

Nick92515 · Oct 29, 2016

Many lfs run copper at a level to keep and spots or problems suppressed but not at the level for the amount of time to actually rid a disease. Maybe not knowingly.

Humblefish · Oct 29, 2016

IF the LFS treated with therapeutic level copper for at least 2 weeks, you probably don't have to worry about ich or velvet.

IF the LFS was sloppy/didn't test and ran the fish thru subtherapeutic copper, then they did you a great disservice as that can actually mask the symptoms of ich & velvet for awhile.

bknapp · Oct 29, 2016

I decided to put the fish into copper free water and to continue using the quarantine regiment that I am used to doing.

Their water was at theraputic level, I know they had one fish just over a week and the other for quite some time but without knowing dates the risk was not worth it to me.

Brew12 · Oct 31, 2016

icecool2 said:
You can go from full copper to no copper right away, you don't need to match copper levels. They may not be running at therapeutic levels anyhow. If you have the copper test kit, see where the level is.

This is a great idea. Just remember that you need to ask what kind of copper product. Without knowing this you won't know which test kit to use or what the therapeutic level is supposed to be.

Paul B · Oct 31, 2016

Humblefish said:
IF the LFS treated with therapeutic level copper for at least 2 weeks, you probably don't have to worry about ich or velvet.

IF the LFS was sloppy/didn't test and ran the fish thru subtherapeutic copper, then they did you a great disservice as that can actually mask the symptoms of ich & velvet for awhile.