Trouble with Copper Power dosing

[Kiara_Pyrenei]

So, I am a newbie and was planning on following the humblefish reccomendations for quarantine procedures which call for predosing with copper power up to 1.0 and then slowly raising it to 2.0.

BUT i'm having a problem... I can't seem to get the number to stay level, much less go up? It seems to drop really fast, and even keeping it at 1.0 requires adding quite a lot of copper power, at least compared to what is called for by calculators I've found online. So what is going on? I know things like rock and carbon filters can take out copper, but all I have in my tank is a PVC pipe for the fish, and the only thing in my filter is a basic sponge. Copper power SAYS it stays in the water and doesn't precipitate out, so it should stay MOSTLY level if I don't mess with it, right?

Any ideas on where this copper is going and how I can get it to stop dropping so I can treat my fish properly?

(For the record, I'm testing with a salifert test)

 

[Gill the 3rd]

Is your water level/volume staying consistent?

Ive used copper power before in a qt tank and it stayed consistent, but I used an ato unit to keep a consistent water level. I used the Hanna Checker to test for copper. Maybe its the test kit? I haven't specifically used the Salifert kit for copper, but they are generally a pretty good brand for test kits.

 

[Kiara_Pyrenei]

Is your water level/volume staying consistent?

Ive used copper power before in a qt tank and it stayed consistent, but I used an ato unit to keep a consistent water level. I used the Hanna Checker to test for copper. Maybe its the test kit? I haven't specifically used the Salifert kit for copper, but they are generally a pretty good brand for test kits.

Yeah I don't have an ATO on my QT tank, but im keeping it topped off pretty consistently.

Basically, both calculators I found online said I should use about 4.7ml of copper power to result in 1.0ppm in my tank, but after dosing that amount, waiting a few hours (i dunno how fast its okay to test tbh?) and testing, it was closer to 0.5 than 1. I tried adding more 1ml at a time to get it up but I got nervous at how much I was having to add to even reach 1.0, so I stopped for now.

 

[vetteguy53081]

So, I am a newbie and was planning on following the humblefish reccomendations for quarantine procedures which call for predosing with copper power up to 1.0 and then slowly raising it to 2.0.

BUT i'm having a problem... I can't seem to get the number to stay level, much less go up? It seems to drop really fast, and even keeping it at 1.0 requires adding quite a lot of copper power, at least compared to what is called for by calculators I've found online. So what is going on? I know things like rock and carbon filters can take out copper, but all I have in my tank is a PVC pipe for the fish, and the only thing in my filter is a basic sponge. Copper power SAYS it stays in the water and doesn't precipitate out, so it should stay MOSTLY level if I don't mess with it, right?

Any ideas on where this copper is going and how I can get it to stop dropping so I can treat my fish properly?

(For the record, I'm testing with a salifert test)

There is uncertainty with salifert copper kits why we recommend the hanna version. You can take a water sample to a trusted LFS and have them test for you and to compare readings. Copper does stay and not evaporate. Assure the copper power youre using is not expired.
As for copper Power, 1.0 is too low and you want range of 2.0-2.25. You DONT want to slowly raise or ramp up copper level as increasing copper level slowly can allow a given disease to gain resistance making it harder to treat given disease. Add partial doses and get to the full treatment level as soon as possible. The 1.0 is old information, based on using ionic copper which does Not work well until you get above 2 ppm, and it generally takes 3 days to slow or stop an infection.

 

[Kiara_Pyrenei]

There is uncertainty with salifert copper kits why we recommend the hanna version. You can take a water sample to a trusted LFS and have them test for you and to compare readings. Copper does stay and not evaporate. Assure the copper power youre using is not expired.
As for copper Power, 1.0 is too low and you want range of 2.0-2.25. You DONT want to slowly raise or ramp up copper level as increasing copper level slowly can allow a given disease to gain resistance making it harder to treat given disease. Add partial doses and get to the full treatment level as soon as possible. The 1.0 is old information, based on using ionic copper which does Not work well until you get above 2 ppm, and it generally takes 3 days to slow or stop an infection.

Hmmm, I'll try to get my hands on a hanna checker then, though since I'm in Japan that can be tough haha.

Tbh the bigger problem is that my copper level is clearly dropping? It seems too consistent for it to be just a problem with the tests, I think. As far as I can tell via testing over the past week, if I'm not actively adding more copper, its dropping quite fast. Unless I can fix that, its not going to be feasible to maintain the copper levels through quarantine. And I just can't figure out... WHY its dropping?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hmmm, I'll try to get my hands on a hanna checker then, though since I'm in Japan that can be tough haha.

Tbh the bigger problem is that my copper level is clearly dropping? It seems too consistent for it to be just a problem with the tests, I think. As far as I can tell via testing over the past week, if I'm not actively adding more copper, its dropping quite fast. Unless I can fix that, its not going to be feasible to maintain the copper levels through quarantine. And I just can't figure out... WHY its dropping?

Level may be too low for kit to read. Get to proper dosage level even at 2.0 and see if test pick it up

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hmmm, I'll try to get my hands on a hanna checker then, though since I'm in Japan that can be tough haha.

Tbh the bigger problem is that my copper level is clearly dropping? It seems too consistent for it to be just a problem with the tests, I think. As far as I can tell via testing over the past week, if I'm not actively adding more copper, its dropping quite fast. Unless I can fix that, its not going to be feasible to maintain the copper levels through quarantine. And I just can't figure out... WHY its dropping?

Copper Power generally stays in solution for long periods, needing perhaps a 20% refresh dose every two weeks or so.

Copper can absorb and adsorb on some materials, but you've identified those: calcareous rock, sand and some chemical filtrants. The only other way for it to leave a system is through water changes.....

Jay