Started copper...ANOTHER fish died

Miami Reef · Feb 27, 2019

I started copper this Monday. It’s Wednesday and it’s on the full dose now. I lost many many fish already, but not one since starting treatment.

If there was one fish that had no signs of ich/marine velvet, it would be the sailfin tang. I came home from work and I’m seeing him half alive floating around the tank. The copper is at .50. I knew he was not going to make it, so I removed him from my tank.

What am I doing wrong? I’ve been doing 10 gallon water changes for 32 gallons daily. My ammonia badge is a green color (idk)

Crabs McJones · Feb 27, 2019

Get a bottle of biospora, itll take care of that ammonia issue. @4FordFamily was showing me in his at tank, his alert badge was green at night, he added a bottle if biospora and the next morning the alert badge was yellow indicating no ammonia present.

Frtdrmrose7 · Feb 27, 2019

From the look of the badge you have elevated ammonia, did you use any bacteria in a bottle for a quick biofilter? How are you testing copper? API kit can make it really hard to know where it’s at. I would recommend the Hanna Copper checker.

Crabs McJones · Feb 27, 2019

When you're doing water changes, you're adding back in copper to keep the level consistent correct? What are you using to check your copper level and what treatment are you using?

jsvand5 · Feb 27, 2019

Are you sure you have ich and not velvet?

HotRocks · Feb 27, 2019

It does appear that ammonia is present by that badge. It needs to be in the water and have light to read properly.

The lost fish may have had enough damage from the parasite affliction that it couldn't be reversed. Copper is an immunosuppressant so a heavily afflicted fish may not fare well in copper. Which is why I prefer prophylactic treatment.

Miami Reef · Feb 27, 2019

I didn’t use bacteria in a bottle because I read copper kills the bacteria anyway.

I use cupramine with salifert. It does appear it’s ammonia that killed the fish this time. But I keep doing water changes!

OutsideBrian · Feb 27, 2019

Are you using any kind of bubbler or surface agitation?

HotRocks · Feb 27, 2019

Miami Reef said:
I didn’t use bacteria in a bottle because I read copper kills the bacteria anyway.

I use cupramine with salifert. It does appear it’s ammonia that killed the fish this time. But I keep doing water changes!

I don't have any issue with biospira and copper power being used together. It works well. Almost never have any ammonia registering.

Big G · Feb 27, 2019

Can you tell us a bit more about your QT? What kind of filter are you using and how is it setup?

Miami Reef · Feb 27, 2019

I have a circulation pump and a bubbler for oxygen. I shined a light through the back and it said safe. But I have a clownfish that was on it’s side and panting, but then got up to eat.

I have an aquarium filter with a corse black sponge from my DT stuffed inside.

falconut · Feb 27, 2019

I've used cupramine a few times with no issues. I've used it in a cycled QT tank & only got a small spike if any of ammonia.

But what I've done is add the copper slowly, usually taking a week to get around 0.45 - 0.50. Highly recommend getting the Hanna checker. After I got mine I found my copper levels were off, apparently I couldn't see the colors right as most have said. Sounds like you went from 0 to full dose in 2 days. Could be the issue with the elevated ammonia.