Copper for preventative measures?

[Diveks]

I have been quarantining a pearlscale butterfly, bannerfish, and dartfish (in three different tanks). They are all eating well and i have treated them all with api general care. They are not showing any signs of ich, marine velvet, etc. im wondering if i will need to treat them with copper. In the past, all the fish that ive quarantined will usually go through copper treatment since ive lost hundreds or more from marine velvet. But is it even needed if they arent showing any signs?

 

[HotRocks]

Personally I would treat them with copper yes, there are many people who observe and only treat if necessary. It really comes down to your own risk tolerance. If I were to observe only I would probably do so for a few months.

I just have too many fish in my tank that are "hard to keep" and the risk is not worth it to me. The thousands in livestock and all of the hard work maintaining a parasite free system just isn't worth the risk of not using prophylactic copper IMO.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Personally I would treat them with copper yes, there are many people who observe and only treat if necessary. It really comes down to your own risk tolerance. If I were to observe only I would probably do so for a few months.

I just have too many fish in my tank that are "hard to keep" and the risk is not worth it to me. The thousands in livestock and all of the hard work maintaining a parasite free system just isn't worth the risk of not using prophylactic copper IMO.

+1 all fish entering my system go through the same 4 step process. Article below

Best Practices: 4 Step Process to Help Prevent Fish Disease Outbreaks

This article highlights on establishing a 4-step streamlined process that in my experience has proven to be beneficial in preventing fish disease outbreaks.

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Diveks]

Personally I would treat them with copper yes, there are many people who observe and only treat if necessary. It really comes down to your own risk tolerance. If I were to observe only I would probably do so for a few months.

I just have too many fish in my tank that are "hard to keep" and the risk is not worth it to me. The thousands in livestock and all of the hard work maintaining a parasite free system just isn't worth the risk of not using prophylactic copper IMO.

Ok thanks, i will continue treating them with copper just in case. Im not risking it again after what happened.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Personally I would treat them with copper yes, there are many people who observe and only treat if necessary. It really comes down to your own risk tolerance. If I were to observe only I would probably do so for a few months.

I just have too many fish in my tank that are "hard to keep" and the risk is not worth it to me. The thousands in livestock and all of the hard work maintaining a parasite free system just isn't worth the risk of not using prophylactic copper IMO.

This %110
If you can completely avoid the risk and hassle of catching and treating later, why not put the extra effort in now :)