Copper Treatment

[SethSPST]

Is it normal when treating ick with copper for the level to drop? I just started treating my DT with copper and I have to add copper every couple hours to keep the level between .15-.20.

 

[kevin2000]

Maintaining the proper concentration is one of the std problems that you encounter when treating a fish with copper ... thats one of the reasons that many would advise you to use a good test kit and to test twice a day plus everytime you change the water. You should also note that all copper meds are not the same and the recommended doseage may change depending on what type of copper your using. Lastly ... copper test kits don't always work with all coppers ... some coppers require specific test kits so make sure your test kit works with your particular copper.

 

[Triggerfish]

it has been known to be rather unstable for up to 10 days.

 

[LargeAngels]

Cupramine copper is one of the most stable. But I don't recommend their copper test kit. Too unrelialbe and they have had too many quality issues. Use the Red Sea copper test kit. Although it will only measure up to 0.4 ppm that level is still affective against parasites. Cupramine states their copper is affective between 0.25 and 0.5 ppm.

 

[kevin2000]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7301817#post7301817 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LargeAngels
Cupramine copper is one of the most stable. But I don't recommend their copper test kit. Too unrelialbe and they have had too many quality issues. Use the Red Sea copper test kit. Although it will only measure up to 0.4 ppm that level is still affective against parasites. Cupramine states their copper is affective between 0.25 and 0.5 ppm.

Since Red Sea has an upper limit that is less than the recommended dose with Cupramine you need to take a water sample from the QT then dillute with equal part of distilled water and test .. then multiply the results by two .. allows you to measure up to .8 ppm.