therapeutic copper
- Thread starter Joe0813
- Start date
Some reading http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa164. 3 to 6 weeks is recommendation . I am using the TTM in addition to the copper . So prior to every 3 rd day transfer to a new tank, I dip in FW for 5 min. And keep the copper dosage the same for each new tank . I avoid ammonia toxicity that way in addition to leaving any protomonts or tomonts behind .
. The F W dips are there to dislodge velvet and flukes not the ick . If flukes persist I use Paraguard conc Dip instructions. I try not to mix copper with any other meds . I hate to use formalin but will use that as a dip if needed . I also use General Cure after each new tank transfer if not in copper treatment. Sorry to sound confusing but depending on signs and symptoms, I use a variety of treatment combinations. If the fish are sensitive to copper you can use chloroquine phosphate . I asked about your test kit because that is often an issue depending which copper you are using . Some will not be compatible with the different formulations of copper. But from what I read The Hanna checker can be used regardless of copper formulation. I Have not tried the Hanna unit but it is on my wish list .
. The F W dips are there to dislodge velvet and flukes not the ick . If flukes persist I use Paraguard conc Dip instructions. I try not to mix copper with any other meds . I hate to use formalin but will use that as a dip if needed . I also use General Cure after each new tank transfer if not in copper treatment. Sorry to sound confusing but depending on signs and symptoms, I use a variety of treatment combinations. If the fish are sensitive to copper you can use chloroquine phosphate . I asked about your test kit because that is often an issue depending which copper you are using . Some will not be compatible with the different formulations of copper. But from what I read The Hanna checker can be used regardless of copper formulation. I Have not tried the Hanna unit but it is on my wish list .
Copper https://agrilifecdn.tamu.edu/fisher...n-Marine-Aquaculture-and-Aquarium-Systems.pdf. Has a lot of info some not directly related
lagatbezan
Active member
Hanna checker hands down is the best tool to use! makes copper reading extremely easy.
the minimum recommended copper level you want to maintain (for copper power) is 1.5ppm. Its best to shoot for 1.75-2ppm this way you have some wiggle room in case it dips lower you are still protected. I believe 1.04ml/g of copper power will get you close to 1.75PPM.
Minimum treatment should be 30 days. However you can do 14 days if you have another sterile qt that you can setup at least 10' away to transfer the fish to. you need to make sure that the copper levels have been at the therapeutic level for the whole duration of the 14 days and only the fish should be transferred with as little water as possible to prevent cross contamination; nothing from qt1 should be used for qt2.
I personally prefer transferring the fish to a new qt before removing copper since it will protect you in case you are dealing with a strain of ich that has a 30+ day of cyst life cycle.
the minimum recommended copper level you want to maintain (for copper power) is 1.5ppm. Its best to shoot for 1.75-2ppm this way you have some wiggle room in case it dips lower you are still protected. I believe 1.04ml/g of copper power will get you close to 1.75PPM.
Minimum treatment should be 30 days. However you can do 14 days if you have another sterile qt that you can setup at least 10' away to transfer the fish to. you need to make sure that the copper levels have been at the therapeutic level for the whole duration of the 14 days and only the fish should be transferred with as little water as possible to prevent cross contamination; nothing from qt1 should be used for qt2.
I personally prefer transferring the fish to a new qt before removing copper since it will protect you in case you are dealing with a strain of ich that has a 30+ day of cyst life cycle.
lagatbezan
Active member
definitely recommend it, I think its one of the best investments I have made to my qt arsenal.
FWIW; 14 days of Copper Power @ 1.75ppm, and then transfer to a clean, sterile QT is usually sufficient for ich + velvet.
The therapeutic range for chelated copper is 1.5 - 2.0ppm, so 1.75 is a nice middle point.
Ich tomonts can last up to 72 days (according to one study), but by transferring the fish away from the danger they cannot be reinfected by the free swimmers those tomonts release. However, it is absolutely imperative for the copper level to remain at full therapeutic for the entire time during this 14 day treatment period. You even transfer the fish from full therapeutic copper into another (non-medicated) QT at least 10 feet away. Reuse nothing from QT1 for QT2.
Joe0813
Active member
Awesome thanks for clearing that up.
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