Not sure what to do...

Squared · Jun 18, 2016

Update time:

Copper is almost at therapeutic levels and evryone is eating well. The angel took to food after a few days, no garlic needed but I did use some.

Ammonia alert has only been showing green even thought Ive been changing he water every few days. Maybe thats yellow, looks lighter under light.

Anyways, thanks again for the help. Will update again if any problems occur.

melypr1985 · Jun 18, 2016

Squared said:
Update time:

Copper is almost at therapeutic levels and evryone is eating well. The angel took to food after a few days, no garlic needed but I did use some.

Ammonia alert has only been showing green even thought Ive been changing he water every few days. Maybe thats yellow, looks lighter under light.

Anyways, thanks again for the help. Will update again if any problems occur.

I had a problem with one of my alert badges where it looked green in the dim light of my living room. When you show a white light at it, it should look more yellow and give you a true reading.

Squared · Jun 21, 2016

using the copper test kit at the recomended dosage gives me a reading of about 1 ppm or less. Its hard to tellbut the color is a light yellow.

Should I try to bring it up?

Humblefish · Jun 21, 2016

It needs to be at least 1.5 ppm when using Coppersafe, but do not exceed 2.0 ppm.

Squared · Jun 22, 2016

I'll add some more slowly. They API test kit goes from 1 to 2, light yellow to orange. Maybe until it starts to darken.

Squared · Jul 6, 2016

Week 3 is almost finished, but the angel is developing HLLE. Should I stop treatment or is the 4th week really necessary?

melypr1985 · Jul 6, 2016

One more week wont make much of a difference for the HLLE, but could very well make a big difference with the copper treatment. Finish it out, then address the HLLE by fattening him up with very healthy foods and vitamin supplements during the observation period. HLLE isn't a reason not to put him in the display either as it can usually be addressed in there just as easily.

Squared · Jul 7, 2016

Right I soak their food in vitachem and garlic a few times a weeks, and feed pellets and mysis.

Is there point where the HLLE will leave permanent scars? This showed pretty quickly.

Humblefish · Jul 7, 2016

Squared said:
Is there point where the HLLE will leave permanent scars? This showed pretty quickly.

If the damage goes too deep, permanent scarring can occur.

Squared · Jul 7, 2016

Could dirty water also be a factor? I don't do water changes too often. Probably have nigh nitrates (for sure 0 ammonia). I will clean out the tank tomorrow regardless.

Humblefish · Jul 7, 2016

Squared said:
Could dirty water also be a factor?

Very possible.

Squared · Jul 23, 2016

So it has been a week since I stopped copper, went the full 30 days. The angel lost its appetite again and is breathing rapidly all the time, although it is still swimming around. The HLLE is also starting to heal. Is this is a normal effect of removing the copper? I've done 2 water changes the past week and am using poly filter.

melypr1985 · Jul 23, 2016

Squared said:
So it has been a week since I stopped copper, went the full 30 days. The angel lost its appetite again and is breathing rapidly all the time, although it is still swimming around. The HLLE is also starting to heal. Is this is a normal effect of removing the copper? I've done 2 water changes the past week and am using poly filter.

Shoot. Remind me please what we were treating with copper for? Ick or velvet? And what brand did you use?

Squared · Jul 23, 2016

Probably velvet, with coppersafe. He is still eating frozen but has trouble with pellets.

melypr1985 · Jul 23, 2016

Squared said:
Probably velvet, with coppersafe. He is still eating frozen but has trouble with pellets.

OK. Are you sure the levels never dropped be low 1.5 ppm of copper in the full 30 days? Did you happen to introduce a new fish at some point during the middle of this treatment so it could go through the treatment as well?

melypr1985 · Jul 23, 2016

Also, is the water cloudy at all? Any ammonia present? Have you treated for anything like flukes during this process? Are you seeing any dustiness or white spots right now?

Squared · Jul 23, 2016

No ammonia, water is clear, no other medication was used. I'm about to do a dip though, see if that helps. Salinity is around 1.020. That's the only other thing I test for. The clowns are breathing fine. No spots or dustiness.

melypr1985 · Jul 23, 2016

Squared said:
No ammonia, water is clear, no other medication was used. I'm about to do a dip though, see if that helps. Salinity is around 1.020. That's the only other thing I test for. The clowns are breathing fine. No spots or dustiness.

a FW dip is a good idea. Loss of appetite isn't a side affect of removing copper... typically that goes away once the copper is removed. Let us know what the results of the dip are.