Copper in an aquarium before turning it into a reef and or just having inverts

[Jwise]

Is it possible to add copper to my display because all i got right now is a fowlr but my fish in my display are covered in ick and some black ick i noticed as well. I have 5 cleaner shrimp i know i would have to remove them but i was planning on possibly turning it into a reef tank one day is it possible on pulling all the copper back out with absorbent medias or is it forever going to be a fowlr either way im not to mad because im not finished stocking the aquarium and i would like to get some fish i never had before because of them not being reef safe but would love to have have a 125 gallon reef aquarium as well. Either way it goes i wouldn't mind a fowlr or reef but just wanted advice on the copper treatment.

 

[Jekyl]

Problems will come from it. Your rocks and sand will soak it up, so hard to maintain the right amount of copper. Then after it'll be a process just trying to get it out of your system. During which it can be harmful to inverts

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

The copper will bind to your rocks. This is the main reason why people treat fish in a hospital tank. I wouldn't do it this way if you have plans for a reef. Your inverts will die too if the copper is still in the rocks.

You just got to bite the bullet and do it right the 1st time. Take all your fish out of your Display and treat them in a QT tank. It doesn't have to be a fancy tank. A cheap auqeon 20 gallon at Walmart is perfect.

 

[Jwise]

I was wondering it would be worth the headache trying to get all my fish out because all my rocks are glued and puttied together and i have dartfish and a couple gobies and it would be annoying trying to get them out or is it just easier to keep it a fowlr and get some different fish that i would have never thought about stocking like a majestic angel.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Its much easier to catch your fish if you drain your water. Either you put in the effort now or pay it later.

 

[Miami Reef]

If you are planning a reef, don’t ever add copper to the display. It’s a hassle.

I personally would try peroxide with a UV in the display before breaking down the tank for ich. Peroxide is reef safe and results are extremely promising.

 

[Jwise]

Easier said than done i dont have anything that would be able to hold the amount of water that my tank has its a 125 gallon aquarium

 

[Jwise]

If you are planning a reef, don’t ever add copper to the display. It’s a hassle.

I personally would try peroxide with a UV in the display before breaking down the tank for ich. Peroxide is reef safe and results are extremely promising.

How much peroxide would you recomend for a 125

 

[Jekyl]

Right way to do things would be to move all fish to quarantine and treat there. Display tank would need to be fallow for 60 days. Any other option would be ich management rather than getting rid of the issue.

 

[Jwise]

I would have to set up a system and let it cycle for a qt. I was already trying to figure out that whole situation for future additions as far as stepping up qt game a lot and qt everything that i get from here on out problem is i dont have a lot of space to work with for a qt.

 

[Jwise]

I was wondering however do you guys think that i should just copper the tank and just keep it a fowlr because i have some stuff set up for a reef tank but i have to still get reef lighting which will be a little while off.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I was wondering however do you guys think that i should just copper the tank and just keep it a fowlr because i have some stuff set up for a reef tank but i have to still get reef lighting which will be a little while off.

I think everyones input so far has been that that is Not a good idea for multiple reasons.

A qt does not need to be the same size as your main tank.

Test some information about the current tank, pictures may help, What you have in there.. We can try to help set up an appropriately sized quarantine tank, which you would also be able to use in the future.

Bombing live rock with copper is always the very last option in my opinion

 

[Jwise]

My biggest fish in the aquarium is a magnificent foxface and hes about 3 1/2 to 4 inches then i got a hippo tang that's about 2 inches to 2 1/2 inches then i got three red dartfish a yellow watchman goby a helfrichi dartfish a diamond watchman goby a solar fairy wrasse a tail spot blenny and a pajama cardinal

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

My biggest fish in the aquarium is a magnificent foxface and hes about 3 1/2 to 4 inches then i got a hippo tang that's about 2 inches to 2 1/2 inches then i got three red dartfish a yellow watchman goby a helfrichi dartfish a diamond watchman goby a solar fairy wrasse a tail spot blenny and a pajama cardinal

These fish could All qt in a 29 or 40b easily.

 

[Jwise]

I was thinking of a 29 or 40b for a qt setup

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Do you have any foam in your sump? Cycled media of any sort besides LR?

 

[Jwise]

I have filter socks and a sponge before it gets back to the return pump

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I have filter socks and a sponge before it gets back to the return pump

You can use that sponge, wrapped around the intake tube on a hob filter as seeded media for the qt.