Mystery illness

[Fishguy1079]

Hi all so not sure what's going on with my 125. Got a few caribbean fish last week, which by all accounts came in healthy. Added some coppersafe to the tank to be on the safe side. Everything was fine until a couple of days ago when i lost a couple blue chromis. Now I've got a black Angelfish hanging out near the top and my convict tang scratching himself against stuff. Don't really see anything on either of them. My best guess was maybe flakes so I've now put general cure in the tank plus coppersafe. Neither seem to be working anyone got any ideas?
Thanks

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi all so not sure what's going on with my 125. Got a few caribbean fish last week, which by all accounts came in healthy. Added some coppersafe to the tank to be on the safe side. Everything was fine until a couple of days ago when i lost a couple blue chromis. Now I've got a black Angelfish hanging out near the top and my convict tang scratching himself against stuff. Don't really see anything on either of them. My best guess was maybe flakes so I've now put general cure in the tank plus coppersafe. Neither seem to be working anyone got any ideas?
Thanks

Do NOT mix General cure with coppersafe. Suspect causes are low oxygen or gill issue such as velvet or flukes
Do a good water change and allow coppersafe (only ) to work at 2.25ppm for a full 30 days monitored with a reliable copper test kit such as Hann brand. Coppersafe takes a couple of days to start taking effect. Also monitor ammonia level with a reliable test kit.
I also recommend removal of plastic plants which can release petroleum distillates and some have sharp cutting edges. What are you using for filtration?

 

[Fishguy1079]

Thanks Jay yeah I was thinking flukes which is why I put general cure in because I didn't think copper safe would treat flakes? Sure I can take out plants temporarily. I actually just got new power filters, 2 penguin 375's only been in the tank for like a day. I had a couple of aquaclear 400's but they were old and despite cleaning didn't put out that great a flow. These are much better flow wise.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks Jay yeah I was thinking flukes which is why I put general cure in because I didn't think copper safe would treat flakes? Sure I can take out plants temporarily. I actually just got new power filters, 2 penguin 375's only been in the tank for like a day. I had a couple of aquaclear 400's but they were old and despite cleaning didn't put out that great a flow. These are much better flow wise.

These filters are not ideal and are mechanical units and you want to have mechanical , biological and chemical to manage proper water quality. The penguins will polish water and trap particles via the cartridge.
Chemical is what traps and breaks down chemical compounds such as feces and uneaten food often accomplished with use of carbon and GFO as examples
Biological is what utilizes the natural process of biological filtration such as use of ceramic nuggets, bio blocks, and microscopic bacteria surfaces as examples. Best it to add or use a hang on refugium such as Reef octopus or AquaMaxx unit and even add a hang on skimmer such as ice cap K1- or K2 100

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Hi all so not sure what's going on with my 125. Got a few caribbean fish last week, which by all accounts came in healthy. Added some coppersafe to the tank to be on the safe side. Everything was fine until a couple of days ago when i lost a couple blue chromis. Now I've got a black Angelfish hanging out near the top and my convict tang scratching himself against stuff. Don't really see anything on either of them. My best guess was maybe flakes so I've now put general cure in the tank plus coppersafe. Neither seem to be working anyone got any ideas?
Thanks

The focus is soft in all of the shots, you might have better results posting a video (that also gives us a chance to measure the fish's respiration rate).

What was the copper level? It may well be that the copper level is too low to stop any protozoan gill disease.

You can use GC and copper at the same time, but it does cause extra stress, be sure to aerate the tank well with an air stone.

 

[Fishguy1079]

These filters are not ideal and are mechanical units and you want to have mechanical , biological and chemical to manage proper water quality. The penguins will polish water and trap particles via the cartridge.
Chemical is what traps and breaks down chemical compounds such as feces and uneaten food often accomplished with use of carbon and GFO as examples
Biological is what utilizes the natural process of biological filtration such as use of ceramic nuggets, bio blocks, and microscopic bacteria surfaces as examples. Best it to add or use a hang on refugium such as Reef octopus or AquaMaxx unit and even add a hang on skimmer such as ice cap K1- or K2 100

Hey, sorry forgot to mention, yes I do have a skimmer. It's a Sicce shark internal skimmer. Does a pretty good job actually.

 

[Fishguy1079]

The focus is soft in all of the shots, you might have better results posting a video (that also gives us a chance to measure the fish's respiration rate).

What was the copper level? It may well be that the copper level is too low to stop any protozoan gill disease.

You can use GC and copper at the same time, but it does cause extra stress, be sure to aerate the tank well with an air stone.

Thanks Jay, I tested the copper level and it was too low. lIke 1.80, added some more coppersafe to the tank. Going to retest when I get home.