testing cupramine

[lucidheights]

what is the best way to test cupramine? my seachem test kit is driving me insane. The first 1/2 dosage tested fine at .25, after the second dosage it tested at less than .25 and after a third dosage it tests the same. The test reference tests fine at .5. I tested using two seachem test kits with the same results on each.

 

[Gwynhidwy]

Do you have any rock or other calcareous material in the tank? Running carbon or any other chemical media? Using Amquel or another ammonia binding agent?

A lot of people don't really like the Seachem tests. I believe Salifert tests can be used with Cupramine, but I haven't used their copper kit myself.

 

[LargeAngels]

Like stated above these things, along with protein skimmers, will reduce the Cupramine in the tank. One way to check if it is a true reading is to make up a 5 gallon bucket of new saltwater, add 1 ml of Cupramine and test it. You should get a reading of 0.5.

I don't prefer Seachem's kit either as it is hard to match the shade of blue. Luckily it is affective in the 0.3-0.5, and even up to 0.8, range.

 

[lucidheights]

only thing in the tank is an internal power filter and the heater. I did however add a very small amount of "Proper pH 8.2" probably like 1/16 dosage for a 10 gal tank. Do you think that converted the Cupramine to a precipitating form?