*COPPERSAFE WARNING* along with Research on Hanna Instruments High Range Copper Checker

[HotRocks]

I did my final copper test for the night with API tester. It was a little low (under 2pm), so I added a bit more copper. The wrasses don't seem happy, but the tester now reads about 2ppm. I'm worried after reading @Big G 's post about showing a higher copper in the tank than expected when testing with the Hanna tester. I should save some water from tonight and test it when my Hanna checker comes in to compare.

I think you will find that you are above 2.0ppm once you have the Hanna checker. It seems to be the norm.

 

[Big G]

In a sense this is a sad thread. In another it is one of the best. It shows the power of hobbyists and R2R. People are not carrying torches and acting overly emotional. Rather, they are rationally and honestly trying to solve the issue through testing and discussion. Most importantly, fish and money are being saved. This site is really incredible.

Well said. And the primary reason I participate on R2R. Truly. That and the very kind people here just amaze me everyday. It's like an on going course in Marine Biology that you really enjoy on so many levels. Thanks for posting this @NY_Caveman. Cheers!

 

[blkhwkz]

Got my backorder email this morning, doesn't say for how long. Hopefully, my LFS takes their time getting me the couple of wrasses I asked for.

 

[Sashaka]

Awesome, Brew12! I will add the hashtag and reefsquad to posts whenever I need help with sick fish! I'm actually going to update one of my threads after reading the new threads here. I want to add a pic that I would like the reefsquad to look at. Many thanks!

 

[Sashaka]

I think you will find that you are above 2.0ppm once you have the Hanna checker. It seems to be the norm.

I will try to watch very closely so I don't go over 2.0 with the API kit, now. I'll also do a very small water change and check again. Thank you! Your response is much appreciated!

 

[HotRocks]

^^ This right here; we cannot rely solely upon the industry to help us. Their claims about what a product does or does not do. Rather, we must take matters into our own hands and help ourselves and help one another. Test/experiment for ourselves. This thread and what @HotRocks has figured out is a perfect example of this.

This is the part of R2R that I love. Great people, great info, and you can truly find anything you need to know here. Glad I was able to share my find, so that many others can take advantage of this nifty device.

 

[4FordFamily]

This is the part of R2R that I love. Great people, great info, and you can truly find anything you need to know here. Glad I was able to share my find, so that many others can take advantage of this nifty device.

Nifty, he says!

 

[HotRocks]

More testing on the QT last night:

I have noticed some absorbtion, being low on reagents, I decided not to test daily with the consistency I was achieving. I also grabbed @4FordFamily's tester. So I could test a single sample twice, since he isn't currently dosing copper. I have stuck with my 6ml per day dosing. So at the end of the day yesterday I should have been in the 1.45ppm range (test results 1.22-1.23ppm). This is interesting, being that with a visual test method it most likely would have went unnoticed. @Christoph any thoughts? I know that I have read slight absorbtion is possible at higher levels. With all of the experimental testing I did in the beginning, I do believe the results are still very accurate and my level truly is 1.22-1.23ppm. @Humblefish is there anything you can add to this on the topic of absorbtion? My QT is bare bottom, with PVC, and just seeded "artificial" sponge in the HOB.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Could the absorption be from microscopic life?
https://www.google.com/amp/s/phys.org/news/2018-02-bacteria-gold-digesting-toxic-metals.amp
Not sure how the test works but could some of the copper leachates not be detected via the regents?

 

[HotRocks]

More testing on the QT last night:

I have noticed some absorbtion, being low on reagents, I decided not to test daily with the consistency I was achieving. I also grabbed @4FordFamily's tester. So I could test a single sample twice, since he isn't currently dosing copper. I have stuck with my 6ml per day dosing. So at the end of the day yesterday I should have been in the 1.45ppm range (test results 1.22-1.23ppm). This is interesting, being that with a visual test method it most likely would have went unnoticed. @Christoph any thoughts? I know that I have read slight absorbtion is possible at higher levels. With all of the experimental testing I did in the beginning, I do believe the results are still very accurate and my level truly is 1.22-1.23ppm. @Humblefish is there anything you can add to this on the topic of absorbtion? My QT is bare bottom, with PVC, and just seeded "artificial" sponge in the HOB.

I also forgot to mention the accuracy between the two testers. That was the same sapmle using both testers and one reagent. Meaning. I put the sample in tester one, zeroed it. Then tester 2 and zeroed it. Added reagent. Then tested with each unit.

 

[Humblefish]

@HotRocks What sponge material are you using in QT? Nothing else in the HOB other than the sponge? Take a pic of your QT for me, if you can.

 

[HotRocks]

@HotRocks What sponge material are you using in QT? Nothing else in the HOB other than the sponge? Take a pic of your QT for me, if you can.

Here are the pics @Humblefish
@4FordFamily will have to advise on exactly what the media is. We took it from one of his QTs when we set up mine. Correct nothing else. The factory inserts with carbon are not in place.

 

[4FordFamily]

@HotRocks What sponge material are you using in QT? Nothing else in the HOB other than the sponge? Take a pic of your QT for me, if you can.

It’s filter floss and black “sponge”. It’s not polyfiber.

 

[Humblefish]

It’s filter floss and black “sponge”. It’s not polyfiber.

I would assume one of these is absorbing the copper in his QT.

Chelated copper is typically stable for months, and I can see nothing else in his QT that might be absorbing some of the copper. Except for that nori, but absorption from that should be minimal.

 

[4FordFamily]

I would assume one of these is absorbing the copper in his QT.

Chelated copper is typically stable for months, and I can see nothing else in his QT that might be absorbing some of the copper. Except for that nori, but absorption from that should be minimal.

Hmm we’ve run it since the beginning it *appeared* stable in our 3 quarantines combined.

Kyle if I had to guess the white filter floss would be the culprit if anything

 

[HotRocks]

Hmm we’ve run it since the beginning it *appeared* stable in our 3 quarantines combined.

Kyle if I had to guess the white filter floss would be the culprit if anything

As long as once I reach 1.75ish, it doesn't continue to drop, I'm not going to worry too much about it.

 

[JMM744]

Dosing coppersafe right now. Can someone recommend a more accurate dose. I have 20 ml. In a 40 breeder right now. Only checker I have is the chemetrics. If I can get close to 2.0 that would be great. Dose recommended on bottle is 5 ml. per 4 gallon which I am thinking is too high.
Thank you, Jim

 

[HotRocks]

Dosing coppersafe right now. Can someone recommend a more accurate dose. I have 20 ml. In a 40 breeder right now. Only checker I have is the chemetrics. If I can get close to 2.0 that would be great. Dose recommended on bottle is 5 ml. per 4 gallon which I am thinking is too high.
Thank you, Jim

Have you dosed 1.25ml into a gallon and tested with chemetrics? I would be interested to see what you think your bottle concentration is before making a recommendation. If it's a newer bottle they seem to be around at least 3.0ppm if dosed as instructed.
That test will let us help you make the proper adjustment.

Can you post pics of the test?

 

[HotRocks]

Dosing coppersafe right now. Can someone recommend a more accurate dose. I have 20 ml. In a 40 breeder right now. Only checker I have is the chemetrics. If I can get close to 2.0 that would be great. Dose recommended on bottle is 5 ml. per 4 gallon which I am thinking is too high.
Thank you, Jim

Also I'm not familiar with chemetrics but hear alot of people using it. If your bottle concentration is around 3.0 you should be at 1.2ppm with 20ml dosed into your 40 gallons. You could check that as well. Or see if you appear to be above 1.0

 

[JMM744]

My issue is that as I am reading the chemetrics test is too vague, very wide range give or take. I would rather send it back and get a Hanna if that’s the one people are reasonably sure will give accurate results. The stuff I have (coppersafe) expires in June of 18.

Here are my steps so far. If in the end I need to use the test kit I will and eat the 70 or so bucks.
Fresh water dip for dot dash that was off food suddenly and staying in high flow area. Has small dots over tail area. Other fish were acting fine so went to step two.
Dosed cp bought off eBay. I have learned that this product might not be that great to use but I am hoping it will be somewhat affective at slowing things down.
I dosed knaplex for help with possible infections.
Started to dose copper 10 ml. at a time. 10last night and 10 this morning. I may go ahead and dose another 10 tonight.
Fish are all somewhat active but not taking food like yesterday. Dot dash is much more active but not eating. Royal gramma and flasher wrasse are both very subdued but I am running with lights off and just outside light and reduced overhead light when I am down dealing with them.
I can try getting an api test for copper tomorrow at petco and also furan 2.
Ok, if the consensus is to try the chemetrics test first I am all in. Otherwise will follow your advice. Appreciate your patience and advice