Coppersafe coper doesn't register on test kit

[KatieFloy]

Hi. I treated my 10 gallon qt with 12 ml of coppersafe on monday per package instructions. Got my copper test today and tested. Showed 0 copper. I had left a ammonia reducing sponge in the filter and thought maybe that pulled it out. Removed sponge and just added 10 ml and still shows 0. What am i doing wrong?

 

[DLHDesign]

Which copper test are you using? Not all tests will register all the various types of copper out there. I think that the API test is the one that is most often recommended, but I could have that wrong... (You'll get a better answer soon.)

 

[goatcorals]

Hi. I treated my 10 gallon qt with 12 ml of coppersafe on monday per package instructions. Got my copper test today and tested. Showed 0 copper. I had left a ammonia reducing sponge in the filter and thought maybe that pulled it out. Removed sponge and just added 10 ml and still shows 0. What am i doing wrong?

Don't add any more copper until you figure this out of course. You may need a test kit that reads cheated copper instead of ionic copper. What kind of test kit are you using?

 

[KatieFloy]

I have the api for chelated copper and coppersafe says it is chelated copper.

 

[KatieFloy]

Should i add carbon to remove just in case?

 

[rebekwl]

That is really strange. I use the API test kit with Coppersafe and the smallest amount registers. I would definitely remove whatever copper is in the water and start over with a new test kit since elevated levels can be deadly to the fish.

 

[DLHDesign]

I have the api for chelated copper and coppersafe says it is chelated copper.

Yup; that's the right one, then.

Note that the API Copper test requires that you compare the color from the top of the tube - not the side of it. So you should be looking through the tube as if it were a spyglass in order to compare it's color.

 

[rebekwl]

Yup; that's the right one, then.

Note that the API Copper test requires that you compare the color from the top of the tube - not the side of it. So you should be looking through the tube as if it were a spyglass in order to compare it's color.

Ah yes, good point!

 

[KatieFloy]

Ok. Let me try again

 

[DLHDesign]

Ok. Let me try again

Good luck. If it still doesn't register, I would agree with @rebekwl's advise to remove and get a new test kit. While you're at it, you might want to get a new batch of Coppersafe. My first attempt at using copper (different brand) was that the medication just wasn't as strong as it should have been - even testing straight medication only gave weak readings. I ended up throwing out both the test kit and medication (and switched to the TT method - which worked for my case).

 

[KatieFloy]

Does it look completely clear from the side?

 

[DLHDesign]

I'm sorry - I've not used the API kit myself yet. I've got it in my "med kit" now and have read through the instructions (just pulled them out a moment ago for this), but never actually tested with it. :-\

From the look of the card, it results in some pretty pale colors at the low range. With low/poor ambient lighting (or lighting that is more yellow than white), I can imagine that it may appear clear from the side. The depth of the water in the tube is very likely going to be required to determine a color shift.

 

[rebekwl]

Does it look completely clear from the side?

The color is very pale from the side, maybe just very slightly yellow. When I view the test kit I place it on a white background under a florescent light for the most accurate reading possible. The test results IMO are not incredibly easy to read. I find it difficult to decipher between 1.5 PPM and 4 PPM.

 

[4FordFamily]

A lot of absorbs in to the tank it seems when you first dose it. I would retest as said but add a little more and see if it registers. It's probably not a bad idea to get another test kit and compare results. It's possible to get a bad test kit out of the box depending in part on how long it sat on the shelf at the warehouses and store.

 

[KatieFloy]

Nope completely clear. Just tested the medicine itself and got dark brown. Not sure what that tells me. Just added carbon to remove.

 

[rebekwl]

Very interesting. I wonder if the copper is diluted in some way. What's the exp date?

 

[KatieFloy]

Ok. I added the carbon already so maybe try treating again tomorrow? There is a piece of rock in there i won't use for anything but quarantine tank. Would that effect it?

 

[rebekwl]

The rock will soak up some of the copper, but not immediately. I imagine it would take a day or 2 to show fluctuation in the levels.

 

[KatieFloy]

Apparently copper does not expire. Checked bottle and box and no expiration date. Test expires2018

 

[goatcorals]

You're looking for .15-.20 PPM I assume? Is your API the one that starts first color at .25? May be hard to see with high degree of precision.

I've used seachem and it measures to .01 which might help.