new to reef keeping should you copper treat fish
- Thread starter ole85
- Start date
ReefkeeperZ
New member
copper while very effective in killing ich is toxic to fish as well I would only recomend using it when/if needed, there are other methods available as well that you may want to look into but as to your actual question I would only use copper as needed not as a prophylactic.
top shelf
New member
As Reefkeeperz said it is effective but also toxic and should be used as a last resort. Some fish do not tolerate copper treatment and are to sensitive like many tangs. The TTM is very effective and less stressful for the fish but a little more involved. This is a very detailed comprehensive write on the tank transfer method. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2388428 Depending the size of the fish you are treating it can be as simple as 2 5g buckets but with tangs you will likely need something bigger.
sde1500
Active member
To nit pick a bit, copper treats WAY more than TTM ever could hope to. OP, I would recommend looking into Cloroquine phosphate. It can treat a wide range of what ails our fish, and is safer than coppper. Some wrasses are sensitive to it though.
top shelf
New member
I'll agree with you but there are many fish that can't be treated with it like certain tangs which the op mentioned. Granted the op also never stated what he/she was trying to use the copper for but generally it's used for ich in which case TTM would be safer. If op could be more specific as to what they wanna use it for and what type of tangs they would like to treat better advice could be given.
hkgar
Active member
I use TTM for ALL new fish and do NOT consider it medicating. Ick can go undetected even through a QT period and end up in your tank. Thus my reason for TTM (I do treat with PraziPro during the 2nd and 4th transfers).
I QT for a couple weeks after TTM for other disease that would show themselves.
I QT for a couple weeks after TTM for other disease that would show themselves.
top shelf
New member
For ich I would definitely suggest TTM. It's actually really easy. You would have 2 tanks, two heaters, and two air pumps with air stones. Every 72hrs you would transfer fish from one tank to the next for 2 weeks. Basically your breaking the life cycle and removing the fish before the ich can re attach.
How long dose in take for ich to show up on the fish if they are effected from lfs.
Could i just observer them for a period of time and if there no sign of ich transfer them into my dt
With ttm method do you use the water from display tank and can you do more then one fish at once
Could i just observer them for a period of time and if there no sign of ich transfer them into my dt
With ttm method do you use the water from display tank and can you do more then one fish at once
nereefpat
New member
Ich can complete its life cycle in as soon as about a week, or it can take as long as 70-some days. It depends on how long it stays in its encysted from. I believe the average is about a couple weeks. The longer you wait, the more certain you can be.
TTM takes 12 days. You can use your display water if you are absolutely sure that it is sterile (as far as ich).
TTM takes 12 days. You can use your display water if you are absolutely sure that it is sterile (as far as ich).
hkgar
Active member
If you take water from the DT you just have to make new to replace it so jsut use new for the TTM.
