Ich?

[Humblefish]

So just as a sanity check - my water's been getting a little cloud and I'm going to do 10G (50% water change) today. I dosed the first 5ml last night but nothing as of yet today, so would this be correct -

• Remove 10G of water from QT
• Refill with 10G of freshly-mixed, temperature adjusted saltwater dosed at 2.5ml of CopperSafe (calculation below)
  • 10 Gallons / 4 Gallons = 2.5
  • 2.5 x 5ml = 12.5 ml
  • 12.5 ml x 0.2 = 2.5 ml
• Note: I'll add in the 10G in 2x 5-gallon buckets, so should I half the 2.5ml into 1.25ml per bucket?

Thanks,

That is all exactly correct. :)

 

[joro]

That is all exactly correct. :)

Starting to get the hang of this I guess :cool:

Another question as well, I have a separate thread talking about a Nitrite Spike I've been having in the QT but @Randy Holmes-Farley has advised it's not high enough for concern at this point. Is there any value in adding some more Bio-Spira to the mix with CopperSafe when I do the water change or should I just leave it alone? Also, what about cleaning the sponge in the HOB filter, should I wash that out as well?

 

[Humblefish]

Another question as well, I have a separate thread talking about a Nitrite Spike I've been having in the QT but @Randy Holmes-Farley has advised it's not high enough for concern at this point. Is there any value in adding some more Bio-Spira to the mix with CopperSafe when I do the water change or should I just leave it alone? Also, what about cleaning the sponge in the HOB filter, should I wash that out as well?

Once copper is already in the water, it will zap any nitrifying bacteria before it has a chance to get seeded. Only embedded bacteria seem "safe" from copper. Some still die, but not all.

You can squeeze out the sponge, but do it in a bucket of SW to avoid killing the bacteria.

 

[joro]

Just performed water change and will add the next 5ml dose here shortly. One thing I didn't really think of until today is whether the CopperSafe is safe to be working with and in bare-handed? I don't huff or drink it but I'm in the tank multiple times a day vacuuming, switching out veggies clips, etc. The bottle doesn't seem to indicate any concerns with coming in contact with it; however, figured I would check just in case I'm about to die a mysterious death o_Oo_Oo_O

 

[Humblefish]

Just performed water change and will add the next 5ml dose here shortly. One thing I didn't really think of until today is whether the CopperSafe is safe to be working with and in bare-handed? I don't huff or drink it but I'm in the tank multiple times a day vacuuming, switching out veggies clips, etc. The bottle doesn't seem to indicate any concerns with coming in contact with it; however, figured I would check just in case I'm about to die a mysterious death o_Oo_Oo_O

I don't worry about my skin coming in contact with liquid copper, although formalin is another matter. :eek: No harm in using rubber gloves when handling it if you want to be totally safe.

 

[joro]

I added the final 5ml dose today and let it mix for a while in the tank. I took a reading using the API Copper Kit and I'm having a hard time reading it but it seems to be between 1.0 and 2.0, probably closer to the 2.0 based on color. Is there a better way to read this kit or suggestion for a more accurate measure? I also have the Seachem Kit but I believe that can't be used with Chelated Copper?

 

[joro]

On another note unrelated to Ich specifically, I've noticed the larger Clown the past few days exhibit some odd behavior where she seems to almost wedge herself under one of the PVC pipes. As soon as I walk up, she comes out, and she continues to have a great appetite coming to the top during feeding. Any idea what's she doing? Also apologies for the Tang who won't get out of the way, you'd be lucky to see her a week ago and now she wants to get in front of every video/photo I try to take :rolleyes:

 

[Humblefish]

@joro IMO your copper level is right where it needs to be. Seachem won't accurately measure chelated copper IME.

P.S. It says I need to sign in to view the video.

 

[joro]

@joro IMO your copper level is right where it needs to be. Seachem won't accurately measure chelated copper IME.

P.S. It says I need to sign in to view the video.

So I should maintain roughly this same coloration for 30 days for best practice correct? Also, just to confirm, when I top off with fresh RODI, I don't need to add Copper to that correct, just when I remove water during a water change?

In regard to the video, not sure why it's throwing that message as it's setup for public viewing. Here's a link if it helps -

 

[Humblefish]

So I should maintain roughly this same coloration for 30 days for best practice correct? Also, just to confirm, when I top off with fresh RODI, I don't need to add Copper to that correct, just when I remove water during a water change?

Yes, maintain 30 days at that concentration. Add copper to replacement water, but not top off.

I get this when I go to the Youtube URL:

Content Warning

If the owner of this video has granted you access, please sign in.
This video is private.

 

[joro]

Yes, maintain 30 days at that concentration. Add copper to replacement water, but not top off.

I get this when I go to the Youtube URL:

Alright, think I got the video fixed. Sorry for the issues!

 

[Humblefish]

My best guess on the clown is she is trying to nestle herself under the PVC like she would do inside a nem. I once had a clownfish in QT (with a tang) that would try to nuzzle up inside the tang's nori. :eek:

 

[joro]

Almost at a week into treatment and everyone is doing very well, eating like little pigs, and cruising around. The larger clown (bottom left) does have a small dot that I noticed today during feeding (which is hard to see in the photo and equally in person) but I suspect it may just be some debris that got stuck. I'll monitor of course to make sure it doesn't hang around ;)



I was thinking today about water testing in QT and wanted to get your opinion on the proper tests/intervals during the Copper treatment. I've been testing Copper everyday, Salinity about every 2 days, and I have the SeaChem Ammonia Alert Badge - all of which are within range. Should I also be testing Nitrate/Nitrite/pH or will the copper skew those readings? I did have a a little spike in Nitrites but Randy said not to be concerned given the low values relative to what most saltwater fish could withstand.

 

[melypr1985]

Should I also be testing Nitrate/Nitrite/pH or will the copper skew those readings?

Honestly the only things I bother with in QT is Temp, Copper (if using it), ammonia and SG - that's it

 

[Humblefish]

^^Agree with the lady; nice looking Kole Tang BTW! :D

 

[joro]

Honestly the only things I bother with in QT is Temp, Copper (if using it), ammonia and SG - that's it

10-4 and definitely helps, thank you!

^^Agree with the lady; nice looking Kole Tang BTW! :D

Thanks! Fortunately the spot was just debris and the larger clown has a clean bill of health for now. Doing a 50% water change today and will make sure to re-dose the new water to keep the therapeutic level constant.

 

[joro]

Got another question, our Kole Tang has been eating sparingly the past 2-3 days when she normally has a voracious appetite. She's still swimming around all day and not breathing heavily; however, I did notice this discoloration on one side of her body today. Is this something to worry about? For what it's worth, both clowns are still very happy, eating, etc!

BTW, I also double-checked the copper level and it's still close to 2.0 (same coloration as before).

 

[Humblefish]

Is the Kole still rubbing? That could be the cause of the spots. Eating sparingly is not unusual, unfortunately, when treating with copper. It will suppress many fishes' appetite.

 

[joro]

Is the Kole still rubbing? That could be the cause of the spots. Eating sparingly is not unusual, unfortunately, when treating with copper. It will suppress many fishes' appetite.

I haven't notice any flashing / rubbing behavior recently and she's pretty "social" when I'm in the office during the day - coming out to the front of the tank. I know Copper can cause the appetite suppression but we're going into Week 2 at full therapeutic concentration - is it unusual that she would be eating fine for days then just randomly stop or not eat much?

 

[Humblefish]

I know Copper can cause the appetite suppression but we're going into Week 2 at full therapeutic concentration - is it unusual that she would be eating fine for days then just randomly stop or not eat much?

Every fish is a little different, but for some the longer they're in copper the tougher it gets. :(