rate my QT...

[am3gross]

this is what i do and so far it has worked....


now i know leaving the carbon running it will take out the copper.... but thats ok...


this is what i have and do... 15 gallon tank, emperor 400 filter, pipe pieces in the bottom, heater, and a small light.

when i put a fish in i add 15 drops (1 drop per gallon) and continue to add 15 drops every day for the 1st week.... after the first week i do a 50% water change.. i dont add any more copper after the water change. i sit back and observe the fish... i leave the fish in the QT for a total of 4 weeks if there are no signs ick or any other type of sickness. now if i see some illness i will leave in the QT for 6-8 weeks or untill they are better.. i continue to do 50% water changes until the fish is out of the QT.

i also keep the temp of the tank at 82 degrees, keep the salinity a little lower then what what the display is and i soak all food in garlic.....

so far i have had great success with this process. i would like you to rate it and let me know if there is anything you would do different.

 

[LukFox]

I wait to add cupramine until the fish have been established feeders for at least 2-3 weeks and have good weight unless problems started showing before this time. Also, I follow the bottle instructions on dosing and it sure sounds like you add a lot. I don't see how a week of cupramine would really help anything either. Sounds like you'd only stress the fish instead of eradicating any disease, but you mention running carbon so maybe it just won't do anything.

Aside from that, it looks okay. You could keep normal salinity and a lower temperature if you wanted, though. It's probably a good idea to treat with prazipro at some point, too.

 

[am3gross]

the carbon takes out the cuppramine.. thats why i add every day for a week. the copper level will raise and then go down slowly over the course of the 24 hour period, then i raise it up with the next dose of 15 drops...

i did it by the directions the first time i ever started to QT in a 55 gallon tank .. of course i had to take all the fish out of my display because i never use to QT... i lost nearly all my fish during that experiance.... even the fish that had no signs of ick. that is why i thought i would change things up a bit....

thanks for the tip on waiting for 2-3 weeks ... most of the stores around this area are terrible... thats why i just treat from the beggining... some things you cant see while you are in the store.... learned that the hard way!

 

[LukFox]

I doubt the copper is doing much like that. Why don't you remove the carbon? It's possible you messed something up on your first QT experience, and it wasn't the fault of the cupramine. Having the copper at less than half concentration at best for a week sounds like you might as well being throwing the bottle away. If your LFSs are so bad, there's always online shopping.

 

[am3gross]

i would love the online shopping however i am never here during the day to accept the order.... trust me i would love to do that!!!!

i am afraid to remove the filtration cause it is such a small tank.. afraid that i may start a cycle or the levels will get so out of whack... would the fish be ok with out filtration for 2 weeks like the bottle says?

 

[Jacob D]

I really don't understand the idea of running carbon or skimmer if you're going to be using medications like copper or chloroquine (as examples). You're wasting medication, carbon, and, possibly, not effectively treating your fish.

As far as when to start treatment, if it's a new fish I let them settle in for a week and hopefully get them eating regularly in that time. I don't like to start any medications until they seem to be settled and eating. If it's a fish coming out of the DT for treatment in the QT, then sure start meds right away.

Which test kit do you test your copper with?

 

[LukFox]

Can't you open the filter up and remove the carbon? Leave the biowheels so you don't mess up your bacteria, just take out the carbon. Maybe have fish delivered to your work?

 

[am3gross]

Which test kit do you test your copper with?

the copper test kit is api.....

 

[am3gross]

Can't you open the filter up and remove the carbon? Leave the biowheels so you don't mess up your bacteria, just take out the carbon. Maybe have fish delivered to your work?

i dont use the bio wheels.... forgot all about those things.... i will get some.

as far as delivery to my work i am in the military and i dont think that would work out to well... good thought though..