Prazipro OR Copper? What do you use and why

[JVH]

I'm setting up a QT for incoming new (hopefully already healthy) fish. My plan is to QT between 3 to 5 week for observation. I've heard mixed stories about mixing the wrong kind of copper with Prazi can kill your fish if your not sure what your mixing since there is more than one kind of copper..

So since I am presuming they are all healthy unless they show signs of sickness, is it better to treat tank with prazipro? I'm not using both at the same time but I feel unless there are obvious signs of sickness, white spots or ick I don't really need copper right?

What does everyone use.? and why do you prefer that?

 

[ReefMadScientist]

I've used both before and too much of either would be harmful/fatal to your fish.

If I were to setup a QT system, I would probably go hypo-salinity instead with a very good diet of algae, amino acids, and vitamins. That will also get you into the habit of feeding your DT well I would add a touch of Prazi as that wouldn't hurt (QT tank)

 

[JVH]

If I were to setup a QT system, I would probably go hypo-salinity instead with a very good diet of algae, amino acids, and vitamins. That will also get you into the habit of feeding your DT well I would add a touch of Prazi as that wouldn't hurt (QT tank)[/QUOTE]

Good advice! How low on the salinity? And for the entire QT time? then I guess I need to bring it up slowly every day till it matches my DT..

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don't treat in a QT at all unless they appear sick.

 

[JVH]

I don't treat in a QT at all unless they appear sick.

So Randy you just QT and observe? And at what point to you decide they look good enough? How long do you QT? Or do you just put them in your DT?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So Randy you just QT and observe? And at what point to you decide they look good enough? How long do you QT? Or do you just put them in your DT?

I'm probably not the best with respect to QT. I buy from Live Aquaria Divers Den where they have already been QT'd, so I watch them for a couple of weeks, but sometimes not at all.

 

[JVH]

I have my QT ready to go and today I may get my first fist to QT Currently have 3 healthy happy fish in DT. I was originally going to QT for 1 to 2 weeks to observe to make sure they are eating and acting normal.. If they are sick or have worms I believe I would see some symptoms in that timeframe right?

OTHERS feel 4 to 6 weeks QT with meds. I'm so torn! My fish got ick from fighting with another fish in the tank. it wasn't new fish issue so keeping them fat and healthy should avoid that again!
I feel a fish could be ok and then STRESS as soon as it going in the new DT after QT so it can have ICK come out anyway right?

 

[ReefMadScientist]

I am with Randy. One LFS I buy my fish from QT's their fish for weeks in Prazipro and hypo. Their water system is secluded from the other tanks. I trust them and have had no need for a QT.

 

[ilovereefing <3]

Here is my QT regimen, and it has worked well for me:

1. Before adding to QT, I do a pH and temperature adjusted freshwater dip in well aerated water.
2. Once in QT, I let them rest for a week or so and get them eating a good, vitamin enriched diet.
3. Once eating well, I add Prazipro to the food for a few feedings.
4. After the Prazi treatment is done, I use Cupramine as my copper treatment for 14 days.
5. After the copper treatment, they stay in QT for 30 more days for observation. If they show any illness, I treat again and the clock starts over.

Please keep in mind, this depends on the fish as well. If it is a copper sensitive fish, I may just give Prazi in their food and observe for 30 days for any sign of illness. I have done copper treatments successfully on copper sensitive fish (if the fish showed signs of ich), but I did it by adding the copper much more slowly than the directions say to add it to give the fish more time to adjust. Generally, my fish stay in QT for at least 6 weeks. I don't personally trust that suppliers do what they say they do as far as QT before sale, so I do it myself. Hope this helps!

 

[JVH]

Thanks ilovereef! I appreciate everyone's input! I have learned there is many ways to do something and I'm trying to figure what would work best for me.

 

[JVH]

I am with Randy. One LFS I buy my fish from QT's their fish for weeks in Prazipro and hypo. Their water system is secluded from the other tanks. I trust them and have had no need for a QT.

Trying to figure out what will work best for me is not easy! I know what I want to do. Match salnity, temp, ph and drop n DT! But I think I will at lease QT for observation and if they don't look sick or have any issue I will not medicate!

 

[3dees]

I use prazi on all fish in qt and then observe. never had to use copper, hypo, or tt. I would probably go with tt if I ever decide to add a tang. copper is too easy to screw things up.

 

[ReefMadScientist]

Trying to figure out what will work best for me is not easy! I know what I want to do. Match salnity, temp, ph and drop n DT! But I think I will at lease QT for observation and if they don't look sick or have any issue I will not medicate!

To be honest, buy your fish from LiveAquaria. I find their pricing somewhat better than most LFS. You will save money this way.

 

[ilovereefing <3]

You're very welcome! Everyone has their own way, and all you can do is what works best for you. Good luck!

 

[3dees]

To be honest, buy your fish from LiveAquaria. I find their pricing somewhat better than most LFS. You will save money this way.

not when you add the overnight shipping cost.

 

[ReefMadScientist]

not when you add the overnight shipping cost.

This is true.

I think the pricing is $30 shipped or free shipping above $175 now.

I'd rather pay the extra $30 dollars and count that as the QT fee I do not know how many fish I lost buying from random LFS over the years.

 

[miyags]

I buy my fish from Petco. So I treat evey fish, even if it looks OK., I always see one fish in there system that looks like it has Ick, so I know Ick is present. I use prazipro and cupramine to treat. I also use the seachem copper test kit and amonia badge. I'd QT every fish,even from Dr Foster&Smith. They are owned by Petco now.

 

[3dees]

there is no qt for fish from live aquaria. that's for divers den fish and even then it's a risk to drop into your dt instead of a qt.

 

[JVH]

OK, so I decide on a happy medium!
I picked up 2 fish and a cuc. Acclimated all for 1.5hrs and put in my QT tank NO Meds for now! I will observe for a week or so and decide if they need medication before I dose. So far they are happy and eating! a lot!
I appreciate all who gave their advice and opinion.

 

[Russ265]

i drop all my fish in tap water for 10 minutes. then they go in my tank.

no losses.

however i get my fish from a guy who qts for a month before a sale.