How long before i see results using copper

[gorey]

Well i pick up a very small blue hippo 2 weeks ago. I put him in a QT tank to watch him for a few weeks before putting him in the display, And would'nt you know it yesterday i started to see some white specks on him So i treated the QT tank with copper. How long before i see him start to get better? As well as the spots starting to go away?

 

[jnc914]

You have to remember that ich has a very specific life cycle and copper only kills free floating ich. Copper does nothing to the ich that are attached to the fish. Generally ich will fall off and multiply in the tank after 48 hours or so. That is when copper will be most effective. Usually within two weeks the ich will disappear. Although you should run the copper treatment for a full month to 6 weeks to ensure the ich is completely gone.

 

[gorey]

Cool thanks!

 

[jnc914]

I was a bit off on how long the ich stays attached. It is more like 4-7 days depending on temperature. You should raise the temp of the tank to 81-82 degrees to speed up the cycle.

Here is some good reading:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-08/sp/index.php