Cupramine treatment saltwater QT tank

S

shany

New member
I am confused on using Cupramine for ich treatment. I have a 20g QT tank that currently has a Porkfish with ich. I started Cupramine 3 days ago and yesterday was my second dose, according to the bottle. I dosed with 1.8cc the first and third day. Also I am picking up a copper test kit today so will start testing levels this evening. But the instructions doesn't really tell me anything else.
These are my questions:
1) I took out my protein skimmer after reading on a forum suggesting to do so. But I am also reading to leave it in. Any suggestions?
2) Can I do water changes? If so, do I dose the cupramine per the amount of new saltwater?
3) If I test the levels and I am low, how do I know how much Cupramine to add? Also if high, how do I manage that?
4) Can I add PRIME when I do a water change?
I think that is all my questions for now. Thanks in advance!
 
Last edited:
Ramp up your dosage over a free days, so the fish can adjust to the change. When you change water replace cupramine to the amount of change water. Dose the new water to the same dosage level to match the tank. Do not use a protein skimmer. If level is high replace some water with pain salt water that will lower the copper level. If it's too low calculate the amount needed to bring it up from example 0.35 to 0.50. Remember 1ml for every 10.5 gallons do you should be able to calculate what is needed for the size of your quarantine tank.
 
And whatever you do, do NOT use Prime with Cupramine. Prime will dissociate the copper from its amine complex and make it extremely toxic to your fish.

This calculator should help with dosing: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2284605

Also, bear in mind that most aquariums' volume is not exactly as stated. For example, both of my 20g QTs are just shy of 19g when filled to the rim. I fill mine to a known volume (in this case, 18g) and mark the level on the glass with a wax pencil.
 
Thanks for the info. Now it makes sense. They really should put that info on the bottle of Cupramine or at least a phamplet with it.
 
Too late to edit.
Some opinions on Cupramine that aren't in the instructions or on the web site: Many folks (me included) add Cu at a much lower rate than the bottle directs. Unless its an emergency, I take at least 5 days to get to the therapeutic level of about .35-.40ppm. I keep Cu at that dosage for at least 4 weeks. This rate of dosing, the dosage, and the time of treatment are all different than is lower than the bottle. Its also a good idea to make sure fish being treated are eating well; loss of appetite is usually (IME) the 1st sign of Cu intolerance.
 
MrTuskfish said:
Too late to edit.
Some opinions on Cupramine that aren't in the instructions or on the web site: Many folks (me included) add Cu at a much lower rate than the bottle directs. Unless its an emergency, I take at least 5 days to get to the therapeutic level of about .35-.40ppm. I keep Cu at that dosage for at least 4 weeks. This rate of dosing, the dosage, and the time of treatment are all different than is lower than the bottle. Its also a good idea to make sure fish being treated are eating well; loss of appetite is usually (IME) the 1st sign of Cu intolerance.
Click to expand...

+1

I follow the same procedure and use the calculator linked above. It's especially important to leave the fish in treatment for at least 4 weeks. The 2 week period recommended on the bottle simply isn't long enough IME.
 
It's pretty frustrating for someone new to copper to go by the instructions on the bottle which is the manufacturers instructions to find out there is a better way to do it. Argghhh I should have known better :angryfire:
 
Gosh I feel like such an idiot and am so mad at myself. I can't help but think that I killed this fish based on adding too much copper. I've never used cuprammine but purchased this fish from a local reefer that had it for 2 years. She had a little spat with ich in her tank and I didn't want to take any chances so I setup a 10g QT tank and let the fish eat for the first 3 or 4 days and it was doing excellent eating nori off the clip and everything I was feeding including sponge. I added the recommended 20 drops per 10 gallons on Saturday and then a few days later, per the instructions on the bottle, added the additional 20 drops and the fish didn't eat much yesterday or the day before. Then tonight I come home from work and find the fish dead. Is there any way to tell based off a picture if a fish died from the result of the copper:



 
There's no way to tell from visual inspection as far as I know. However, loss of appetite is a clear indicator of copper intolerance. Hopefully others will chime regarding Moorish Idols and copper. Sorry for your loss.
 
My 2 idols handled Cupramine with no problems; as did the 2 I had for many years that were lost in Katrina. I don't think they are copper sensitive at all, I think most idols that are lost are those that just refuse to eat. Once eating, they are very hardy fish, IMO & IME. I don't think there is any way of knowing if copper killed this fish; but copper is usually unfairly (IMO) blamed whenever a fish dies in a tank with copper. It may be the pics, but this fish looks small for an idol that has been eating well for two years.

FWIW: Deinonych is right about loss of appetite being the 1st indicator of copper sensitivity. I think Cu should be added over 5-7 days, not as quickly as the bottle instructions . If a fish stops eating, remove some CU, and start again in a couple of days.
 
MrTuskfish said:
Too late to edit.
Some opinions on Cupramine that aren't in the instructions or on the web site: Many folks (me included) add Cu at a much lower rate than the bottle directs. Unless its an emergency, I take at least 5 days to get to the therapeutic level of about .35-.40ppm. I keep Cu at that dosage for at least 4 weeks. This rate of dosing, the dosage, and the time of treatment are all different than is lower than the bottle. Its also a good idea to make sure fish being treated are eating well; loss of appetite is usually (IME) the 1st sign of Cu intolerance.
Click to expand...

I agree. Test often as evaporation and/or dilution can occur. Also, I recommend using the same test kit supplied by the copper treatment mfg used.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Coral beauty Sick - how do i treat
Replies
3
Views
1K
leebca
L
BigEZ77
Urgent Help Requested - Wrasses Won't Come Out - CB Blue Tang Arriving Today (NO QT)
Replies
8
Views
599
rrrrob
rrrrob
N
Saltwater cycle possible stuck
2
Replies
26
Views
6K
Guygettnby
Guygettnby
M
New 37g saltwater tank
Replies
18
Views
1K
Elmareefer
E
K
Fluval Reef 4.0 LED Nano Power Level for 15G?
Replies
3
Views
81
kingyking888
K
Back
Top