Sick Fish!

Dierks · Jan 2, 2020

Khwee said:
Is a hang on back filter considered a chemical filter? The instruction says turn off chemical filters.

Simply remove the bags from the HOB - Like the carbon and whatever else they pack in there. If you have some sponge you can put that in there instead.

Khwee · Jan 2, 2020

Dierks said:
Simply remove the bags from the HOB - Like the carbon and whatever else they pack in there. If you have some sponge you can put that in there instead.

Thanks man!

Khwee · Jan 2, 2020

Update: blue tang and coral beauty did not make it.

-Kole tang is in rough shape
-Butterfly is doing ok. Breathing hard but seems to be in a better mood
-2 clowns are perfectly fine

I was able to get them in the hospital tank with copper( 20 drops) . Thanks all for the support.

Khwee · Jan 3, 2020

MERKEY said:
I used seacham cuppermine and seacham copper test. There were the most available to me and sent amazon next day.

Hannah tester is better but costs more and once you get the hang of the seacham tester it's really easy to keep the copper at theraputic levels.

Just remember to add what ever copper you use to the fresh ro salt water you change the tank with so the copper level NEVER drops! And have a second tank clean and ready for transfer when treatment is done. If you only use 1 QT then after the 30 days of treatment you can use carbon or other ways to remove the copper from the tank.

I am 60 days in fallow on a velvet and ich outbreak and had to get my copper to theraputic level quickly...within 24/48hrs

I was worried it would be too much for the fish but I got it there in just over 24hr and immediately they started feeling better.

Its overwhelming but it is gratifying to see your fish healthy again!

I am using seachem cupramine... therapeutic levels are at .5. Is cupramine different from other coppers? Other coppers say therapeutic levels are 2.0.

MERKEY · Jan 3, 2020

Khwee said:
I am using seachem cupramine... therapeutic levels are at .5. Is cupramine different from other coppers? Other coppers say therapeutic levels are 2.0.

Yes much different...keep cuparmine at .4 and no lower. I was worried I would mess it up so I aimed for .8

If you do a search here for Humblefish he states the differences in the two. Sorry I am terrible with linking things lol

Khwee · Jan 3, 2020

MERKEY said:
Yes much different...keep cuparmine at .4 and no lower. I was worried I would mess it up so I aimed for .8

If you do a search here for Humblefish he states the differences in the two. Sorry I am terrible with linking things lol

No any help is great help.

Its just a little confusing because it tells ur to initally does with 20 drops (.5ppm) and then it tells u to dose 20 more drops 48 hours later.

Khwee · Jan 3, 2020

MERKEY said:
Yes much different...keep cuparmine at .4 and no lower. I was worried I would mess it up so I aimed for .8

If you do a search here for Humblefish he states the differences in the two. Sorry I am terrible with linking things lol

Does this mean the first dose of 20 drops per 10 gallons would only get you to .25? And the second 20 drop does would get you to .5?

MERKEY · Jan 3, 2020

Khwee said:
Does this mean the first dose of 20 drops per 10 gallons would only get you to .25? And the second 20 drop does would get you to .5?

20 drops in 10 gallons got me to .5ish.

I say ish because that chart is colored and well there is some wiggle room and that's why I aimed for .8 to be safe. I also didnt have any fish that were easily harmed by copper like wrasses.

I used 40 drops in my 20g long and that got me to .5 once at therapeutic levels I noticed I needed to add 3 to 5 drops nightly to keep it were I wanted it which was around .8

Hope this helps, I know it is daunting.

Khwee · Jan 3, 2020

MERKEY said:
20 drops in 10 gallons got me to .5ish.

I say ish because that chart is colored and well there is some wiggle room and that's why I aimed for .8 to be safe. I also didnt have any fish that were easily harmed by copper like wrasses.

I used 40 drops in my 20g long and that got me to .5 once at therapeutic levels I noticed I needed to add 3 to 5 drops nightly to keep it were I wanted it which was around .8

Hope this helps, I know it is daunting.

Would u consider doing daily fw dips for the first couple days in QT? Or would that be too stressful on the fish?

MERKEY · Jan 3, 2020

Khwee said:
Would u consider doing daily fw dips for the first couple days in QT? Or would that be too stressful on the fish?

Lost 3 fish to fresh water dipping.

I think it is necessary but there are risks.

I would dip the strongest to make sure it doesnt have flukes or any other nasties.

A fresh water dip does alleviate some of the initial symptoms of ich and velvet but really doesn't cure it. It more shows other internal parasites if the fish have them.

When you do the fresh water dip make sure that you have a heater and a pump or small air stone in with the fish. You want lots of circulation and it to be at your tank temp.

artieg1 · Jan 4, 2020

Prevention > cure. I know this is dispiriting. Clear out your DT for the appropriate fallow period, try to save who you can, and select some QT method to make sure any fish you introduce in the future has no parasites.

Khwee · Jan 4, 2020

So my kole is really struggling. I was wondering if a fw dip would cause more harm than good. Any opinions? @MERKEY

Tamberav · Jan 4, 2020

What about a peroxide dip instead? I dipped a copperband...China Wrasse....and a diamond goby a few days ago and they came out unscathed.

They seem to do better with it than freshwater.

MERKEY · Jan 4, 2020

Khwee said:
So my kole is really struggling. I was wondering if a fw dip would cause more harm than good. Any opinions? @MERKEY

I am really sorry about all of this. Tangs are really sensitive.

What level is copper at now?

How is he struggling?

MERKEY · Jan 4, 2020

Tamberav said:
What about a peroxide dip instead? I dipped a copperband...China Wrasse....and a diamond goby a few days ago and they came out unscathed.

They seem to do better with it than freshwater.

I havent tried this but have been seeing more and more trying this method. Humblefish is also testing long term with it. That would be great if it all worked out and peroxide was the new copper!

Terri Caton · Jan 4, 2020

I’m so sorry about your fish.

Khwee · Jan 6, 2020

MERKEY said:
I am really sorry about all of this. Tangs are really sensitive.

What level is copper at now?

How is he struggling?

Copper was around .4 to .5 so i am going to be dosing copper around .7. And going to start the 30 clock day today.

The kole tang did not make it. He fought like hell the past 3 days but in the end velvet won. The only 3 left are the butterfly and 2 clowns. It seems like they are going to make it. They are eating well but still breathing a little heavy.

I want to thank EVERYONE who helped me through the process. I couldve easily said forget the fish we can get new ones but thats not how this hobby should work. Again, appreciate all the input and responses.

MERKEY · Jan 6, 2020

Khwee said:
Copper was around .4 to .5 so i am going to be dosing copper around .7. And going to start the 30 clock day today.

The kole tang did not make it. He fought like hell the past 3 days but in the end velvet won. The only 3 left are the butterfly and 2 clowns. It seems like they are going to make it. They are eating well but still breathing a little heavy.

I want to thank EVERYONE who helped me through the process. I couldve easily said forget the fish we can get new ones but thats not how this hobby should work. Again, appreciate all the input and responses.

Sorry you lost him but very happy to see you get the last 3 under some what control.

Keep at it and keep us posted!