Running Copper

T

TinaFishGirl

Trigger Lover
Nov 12, 2004
99
0
0
50
Gig Harbor, WA
I need to run copper at work. I am doing this as a last resort, because of parasite infestation. I have always been able to treat with other methods, since I am a reef keeper I have never done this. What parameters do I need to keep an eye on when running it? Will this kill all the pods?
Also I heard that once you run copper the substrate will absorb it and it's there forever, true or not? So does all the substrate need replacement, before I can add inverts again?
Can someone tell me the best method? Like run it for a week, do a water change. I was going to run it for three days on and three days off in between water changes. I am not sure, because I still haven't received the stuff to read the directions. I am so against medicating I don't have any, but I put in an order for coppersafe. Is this the best?
Thanx in advance
Tina
 
Tina what's wrong with the tank? I really wouldn't run cu unless it was an absolute last resort. Ues it will kill pods, snails, shrimp, etc. Pretty much anything with copper based blood and that covers most inverts.
Yes, the substrate will absorb it and so will the filters, seems and seals,live rock etc. It may not be possible to remove even with all new substrate. Again I don't know what the issue is but IMO it would be soooo much better to remove the infected fish.
let us know what's up.
Hth and good luck.
 
Yeah I agree it would be better to remove infected fish, but...........
Someone else has been doing the fish at work and for a year, (yes a year) every fish almost has gotten ich, worms, and several other parasites. I am talking thousands of fish. I have stepped in, because I can't stand watching these fish die anymore. This is unfortunately corporate owned, so there are things I would do at home or at my prior jobs, that corp won't allow. I have done what I can-several water changes, mela-fix, stress coat, tested EVERYTHING!!
If I was allowed I would try many different things before copper, stop the orders,(which are automatic) or at least get hardier fish do a 95% water change, change substrate, use dyes consistently for a few weeks with mass water changes, get a different distributor, and #1 I would have them in QT first, or I would even break it all down and start over before using copper, that is a HUGE NO NO. I guess they don't know that they are loosing more money by not doing any of these options, but I am just an employee.
We also have a bad pod infestation!! Not the good guys-the bad. There are millions of them. They jump on the stressed fish and eat them alive. They are eating holes in all our inverts.
So any other advise? I really could use it.....I am sure you can see my frustration!!! LOL **** LfS!!!!
Oh today I found four white bugs on my trigger. They are shape's like a really small flat lady bug. I did a fresh water dip to get them off and I saved them so I will try to get picture.
 
Those sound more like parasitic Isopods, and unless your going to treat with copper, the tank has to be without any hosts for the parasites for at least 5-6 weeks or so to make sure all the parasite have died.
 
Hmmm, big headaches my friend.
What size system is this? You say LFS, sounds like a partitioned overflow set up like the typical LFS? With thousands of fish, I can only assume you are maintaining thousands of gallons (or maybe you are saying thousands have perished in a smaller system?) At any rate, the first step would be to remove all valuable invertebrates to another system with no fish. Then you can safely treat with copper (and make no mistake, you need copper). Not sure of all the details here, but it's obvious this system does not get enough attention to run under anything more than a fish-only program. This is why when you visit large commercial installs and public aquariums they usually have fish only. That way they can maintain a steady level of copper when adding new arrivals or for parasitic outbreaks. Additionally, you might consider a really big, commercial grade UV sterilizer similar to those used in wholesale operations, that will help to a degree. If this system constantly receives large incoming orders, you may need to maintain a level of copper every time you add new shipments, some resort to fresh water dips if the wholesaler has a history of shipping cryptos and heavy pathogens.
 
wow, Tina that really stinks . I agree copper is the only thing that I can think of to treat on such a massive scale. The only thing is it will nuke pretty much all of your inverts. They and any live rock you have in stock must be removed . I suppose all your tanks are bare bottom so the substrate absorbing cu won't be such an issue. I would also assume though that you may have some major issues with a 100% water change prior to the reintroduction of your inverts.
Personally I would want to see some things happen before I did anything .
1. Don't tell us who they are you may be held liable
2.get a written release of liability prior to doing anything.
3. make sure that management understands what's happening and why.
4. If it's on one system make sure that they understand that you're going to have to do a flush after treatment 100% and I would do it twice probably
5. replace all filter media, substrates, and sponges etc if you have any.
6, if you have l.r. for sale treat as an invert but it will have to be set aside for around 6-8 weeks to avoid re infestation.
Good luck! Please keep us posted this is absolutely chilling. A lot of people wonder why the fish they buy died or what they did wrong. In lots of cases it's nothing that they did or have any control over. That's why we all need to have a hospital tank and use it for every introduction.
best wishes
Chris
 
Thank you so much Flor/Max you are so helpful!!
Yeah that's why I didn't say who, as a matter of fact someone brought some of our bugs to another LFS to find out what they could be.....put it this way, they are no longer there.
I really like the bases you went over max. It is only about 700 gallons, one system flow, with about 70 fish right now, four inverts that I am going to perchase myself and place in my own QT, no LR, and two inches of crushed coral.
I do understand and agree a lot about LFS, but it's people like me that are trying to change it a little, with teaching all the other employees, and customers alike.
Flor, yeah I meant we have lost thousands over the last year or so, at least that's what I hear. So is copperSafe the stuff?
Also what about my parameters?
 
I run Coppersafe in my quarintine tank almost all the time. The directions are easy. You put in 5 ml for every 4 gallons of water, I would start testing at about 3/4's of the prescribed amount. It says 1.5 to 2.0 ppm is the correct concentration. If you perform water changes, you will need to retest. Will take 4 to 6 weeks after last sighting of parasites. No LR or substrate is best. Hope this helps
 
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