About to go fallow..

tcampbell23 · Jun 5, 2017

Quick question I used some ammonia reducer in the QT tank about a week ago (likely longer but conservatively a week). Since then I've done at least 2 water changes of 15 gallons each. I also treated the first dose of API general cure on Friday June 2nd and the second dose yesterday June 4th. I plan to do another 15gal water change tomorrow and run some carbon to get rid of the API Med. This morning I noticed the hippo Tang showing signs of what appears to be ich. What should I do in preparation to treat with Kordon CopperAid?

melypr1985 · Jun 5, 2017

tcampbell23 said:
Quick question I used some ammonia reducer in the QT tank about a week ago (likely longer but conservatively a week). Since then I've done at least 2 water changes of 15 gallons each. I also treated the first dose of API general cure on Friday June 2nd and the second dose yesterday June 4th. I plan to do another 15gal water change tomorrow and run some carbon to get rid of the API Med. This morning I noticed the hippo Tang showing signs of what appears to be ich. What should I do in preparation to treat with Kordon CopperAid?

You should be fine. everything you listed, not including the ammonia reducer, are safe to use with copper. The ammonia reducer isn't going to be a problem since it is most likely completely gone from the water at this point.

tcampbell23 · Jun 5, 2017

Great! What defines "slowly ramping up" copper? The medication says that 5ml (1tsp) per 4 gallons. I was thinking do 1/2 tsp (2.5ml) twice per day for 5 days or until I reach therapeutic range (1.5-2.0ppm)

melypr1985 · Jun 5, 2017

3-5 days is fine for a slow ramp up. It mostly depends on the situation and the fish involved. Sensitive fish will want you to take longer, velvet will require you to speed things up quite a bit.

tcampbell23 · Jun 5, 2017

I'll keep an eye out. The hippo Tang is eating well and not showing any strange behavior other than the occasional flashing or scratching. I do notice spots or a powdery look on her "forehead" and a couple larger spots on the tail. No other fish (7 green chromis & a chocolate Tang) show signs or symptoms

melypr1985 · Jun 5, 2017

tcampbell23 said:
I do notice spots or a powdery look on her "forehead"

This part worries me .... makes me think velvet.

tcampbell23 · Jun 5, 2017

melypr1985 said:
This part worries me .... makes me think velvet.

That was my biggest worry. Will copper treat velvet?

tcampbell23 · Jun 5, 2017

I'll see if I can get a decent picture when I get home.

melypr1985 · Jun 5, 2017

tcampbell23 said:
That was my biggest worry. Will copper treat velvet?

Yes it treats both ich and velvet.

tcampbell23 · Jun 5, 2017

If I'm not mistaken the only difference as far as treatment is velvet is a much faster killer and thus demands a more urgent approach?

melypr1985 · Jun 5, 2017

tcampbell23 said:
If I'm not mistaken the only difference as far as treatment is velvet is a much faster killer and thus demands a more urgent approach?

That's not wrong, but there are other things that can be done to help you have a better chance of beating velvet. An acriflavin dip before going into the QT is a good start. A freshwater dip can help clear out the gills and allow better breathing. Having antibiotics on hand is always a good idea, since infections are very common with velvet.

tcampbell23 · Jun 5, 2017

melypr1985 said:
That's not wrong, but there are other things that can be done to help you have a better chance of beating velvet. An acriflavin dip before going into the QT is a good start. A freshwater dip can help clear out the gills and allow better breathing. Having antibiotics on hand is always a good idea, since infections are very common with velvet.

I'm going to head to my LFS and grab some ruby reef rally. I believe that has Acriflavine in it. She is already in QT with other fish. How should I address that? I will pick up some Kanaplex as well.

melypr1985 · Jun 5, 2017

tcampbell23 said:
I'm going to head to my LFS and grab some ruby reef rally. I believe that has Acriflavine in it. She is already in QT with other fish. How should I address that? I will pick up some Kanaplex as well.

It's fine. You can do the rally dip on all of them. 90 minutes, heavily aerated. Once back in QT, start dosing the copper. If we are assuming velvet (to be safe) then you'll want to get to therapeutic levels within 24 hours spread out as much as possible in that 24 hours.

tcampbell23 · Jun 5, 2017

melypr1985 said:
It's fine. You can do the rally dip on all of them. 90 minutes, heavily aerated. Once back in QT, start dosing the copper. If we are assuming velvet (to be safe) then you'll want to get to therapeutic levels within 24 hours spread out as much as possible in that 24 hours.

I'm at the store now. They don't have any ruby reef rally. Can I use ich-x or rid-ich? Both say they treat velvet.