copper 14 or 21 days?

[kb]

My local petstore said to use the copper for 14 days but I have read that 21 days should be the minimum-How long should I use it?

 

[fishgirl]

Go by what it says on the tube itself -- don't worry about what people tell you, b/c they may be thinking of a diff brand or something. I've used CopperSafe brand w/ success before.

 

[hasq]

I have been using CopperSafe for the past four weeks in my FO tank. I have been closely monitoring the copper levels and adjusting as necessary AND I still have a few spots of ick on my puff. I think I'm going to continue for another 2 weeks then discontinue.

 

[beth]

The life cycle for ick is right around 3 weeks, thus go with a MIN. of 3 weeks. This does not mean to dump cooper in your tank everyday for 3 weeks, it means that you need to maintain theraputic copper levels in your tank for a min of three weeks [however, I would go with a whole month just make sure]. Also this applies to maintaining the copper for 3 weeks after the LAST sign of ick on your fish. Thus if your fish has ick on for a week, then you will treat with copper for a min of 4 weeks.
Also, to maintain theraputic levels of copper, you use a test kit that will measure copper. DON'T keep adding copper everyday or every other day. Use the test kit to get an accurate measure. Copper is poisonous to fish as well as the parasite. The goal is to use enough copper to kill the parasite, but not enough to kill your fish.