Copper live rock qt
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- Start date
Shouldn't be a problem just never use that rock again for a display. Maybe keep it as a permanent qt rock.
Even dried out etc little chance of ever making it reef safe again
I've read that the rock can absorb/bind the copper, so the amount you think you have in the water for treatment is less than you think. Maybe not an issue if you are constantly testing copper during treatment, but something to keep in mind I guess.
This is a good point why they say to definitely test daily.
Alexander1312
Supporting Member
The reason to not add rock into a QT, since not only does it absorb it, it might also suddenly leach back into the water when too much was absorbed, potentially killing its inhabitants due to overdosing.
Thanks to all those who made comments concerning rocks messing with the amount of copper in the system and possibly overdosing and killing the fish.
I've never tried qt a fish with copper yet been to scared to. Yet my plan was always to use fat pvc pipes and elbows if or when I do.
This is definitely information I will file away as a big potential issue with using rock to qt.
I only thought it just would forever ruin the rock.
I've never tried qt a fish with copper yet been to scared to. Yet my plan was always to use fat pvc pipes and elbows if or when I do.
This is definitely information I will file away as a big potential issue with using rock to qt.
I only thought it just would forever ruin the rock.
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Alexander1312
Supporting Member
I would use ceramic biomedia to quickly cycle the QT tank. That should give the benefits and hopefully none of the disadvantages.
Story time. Get tucked in boys and girls.
I’ve done it and continue to do it. This is how I do it. Works for me. I don’t have data. Just works.
When I get new fish from wherever. I check salinity and I match it to the 55.
Copper is checked daily at the beginning. Then it will flatten out to a slow drop.
55 gallon. Sand and rocks. I never remove them. Aquarium is cycled. I have dropped copper power to 2.5ppm. I do this slow up. It will drop ppm every day. I just make it up. I do it for 30 days.
If I’m doing CP. I black out the back and top. As CP is light sensitive and will degrade in sun light. I dose weekly for 3 weeks.
When I’m done with either procedure. I drain and refill the water. I never clean the aquarium. I believe the micro is still alive. As I see the fish picking on the rocks. Before I add fish to the 168. I acclimate the fish to the 168.
From there. The fish go into 168 fowlr. I have copper powered this aquarium also. Has live rock, sand , crushed coral and bio bricks. I have copper powered up to 2.5ppm two times. Both times I used cuprisorb to remove the copper back down to zero. I’ve seen pods after that.
So how do I know the ick / velvet is gone ? I have a cleaner wrasse. I see if the wrasse cleans the new fish or not. The wrasse dose not.
Oh I also use. Metro and focus in the food for 14 days. To clean out the fish. I’m have not been successful with Prozi.
How do I know what to use ? Copper power or CP ? I check on humble.fish. They have a chart of what fish do better or worse in what meds.
I’ve done it and continue to do it. This is how I do it. Works for me. I don’t have data. Just works.
When I get new fish from wherever. I check salinity and I match it to the 55.
Copper is checked daily at the beginning. Then it will flatten out to a slow drop.
55 gallon. Sand and rocks. I never remove them. Aquarium is cycled. I have dropped copper power to 2.5ppm. I do this slow up. It will drop ppm every day. I just make it up. I do it for 30 days.
If I’m doing CP. I black out the back and top. As CP is light sensitive and will degrade in sun light. I dose weekly for 3 weeks.
When I’m done with either procedure. I drain and refill the water. I never clean the aquarium. I believe the micro is still alive. As I see the fish picking on the rocks. Before I add fish to the 168. I acclimate the fish to the 168.
From there. The fish go into 168 fowlr. I have copper powered this aquarium also. Has live rock, sand , crushed coral and bio bricks. I have copper powered up to 2.5ppm two times. Both times I used cuprisorb to remove the copper back down to zero. I’ve seen pods after that.
So how do I know the ick / velvet is gone ? I have a cleaner wrasse. I see if the wrasse cleans the new fish or not. The wrasse dose not.
Oh I also use. Metro and focus in the food for 14 days. To clean out the fish. I’m have not been successful with Prozi.
How do I know what to use ? Copper power or CP ? I check on humble.fish. They have a chart of what fish do better or worse in what meds.
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Alexander1312
Supporting Member
When I read this, I know why I let Kenny handle all my quarantine needs. I have never seen rocks in his QT tanks, but maybe he has. Regardless, effective quarantine is a critical success factor which a lot of newbies in the hobby are not aware off. Fortunately, I realized this early on and have a pro nearby.
Humblfish does not seem to recommend rocks, also spelled out in this video. A small layer of sand seems ok though - not sure if it should be reused.
While I am a known BRS detractor, I still feel this is the best outline of quarantine I have seen thus far, and would do it this way if Kenny is on vacation and I have quarantine needs: