Two QT Questions

[Agustin Martinez III]

For background, I've been having a difficult time in my QT (partially my fault). 10Gal QT with HOB and powerhead (pointed to the side for flow). Using cupramine for copper treatment and the initial 19 drops for 10gal per instructions raised copper levels (using Hanna checker) to .79ppm within 36 hours of first dose (I should've done it more slowly). First dose was 48 hours after introducing one clownfish into QT. I did two water changes to reduce copper to .35ppm. Kept it at that level for 48 hours before adding more cupramine to reach the .50ppm therapeutic level I've read about (reached .5, a full 24hours after adding more). Clownfish use to swim all around the tank and is now only in the PVC elbow. Doesn't go after food when it's at the top or sinking. While it's in the elbow it'll kinda vibrate every so often. Not sure what that means. My thought was to start adding food additives like Selcon and Vitachem. Vita chem meantions it can be added once a week.

1. I've read about quality of feeding is important in QT and additives are helpful in this area. Can food additives adversely impact the copper treatment (raise to lethal levels/lower to non therapeutic levels) or water quality in QT?

2. What are the signs of low oxygen exchange in the water? I've kept the water level at a point where the HOB creates bubbles at the surface. I'm assuming that's enough?

Just wondering if the clownfish is acting weird or being a clown.

Thank you for any advice and guidance.

 

[Marco S]

My advise would be to get it out of copper right away, (unless it has signs of Ich or Marine Velvet) and get it eating before adding any medication. Once the fish is eating then you can start adding copper slowly until you reach the therapeutic level.

I would also recommend using CoperPower instead since it has a much larger therapeutic range and is easier to maintain for prolonged periods and while doing water changes. I've also heard that CopperPower is the safest copper product you can use and is what I have been using for the last year with all my saltwater fish and I have not lost one yet to the meds, (although I lost a bunch to disease).

Last recommendation would be to use the Fish Disease forum here instead of this one. There are experts on QT, Disease Diagnostics and Treatment there that usually answer very quickly when you need them. There are also sticky posts that will give you answers to any questions you will ever have on the QT process itself and most diseases and treatments.

Hope that helps.

 

[Agustin Martinez III]

My advise would be to get it out of copper right away, (unless it has signs of Ich or Marine Velvet) and get it eating before adding any medication. Once the fish is eating then you can start adding copper slowly until you reach the therapeutic level.

I would also recommend using CoperPower instead since it has a much larger therapeutic range and is easier to maintain for prolonged periods and while doing water changes. I've also heard that CopperPower is the safest copper product you can use and is what I have been using for the last year with all my saltwater fish and I have not lost one yet to the meds, (although I lost a bunch to disease).

Last recommendation would be to use the Fish Disease forum here instead of this one. There are experts on QT, Disease Diagnostics and Treatment there that usually answer very quickly when you need them. There are also sticky posts that will give you answers to any questions you will ever have on the QT process itself and most diseases and treatments.

Hope that helps.

Ok. I'm going to repost the exact same post in Fish Disease. I'll tag you in a reply, replying to your recommendations (inserted in there). Thank you for your advice.