copper for ich with live rock

[1clownman]

I was wondering if I could treat a tank with copper that has live rock, I don't ever want to have corals in this tank. The "live" rock doesn't have anything growing on it anyways, all it has is the benificial bacteria and some coraline algae. Any help would be appreciated, the ick I have is real pain and I want to end it forsure! I always wanted this to be a fish only tank but I knew that fish liked LR to make them feel at home. Any help would be great!!

 

[beth]

Absolutely not. Copper will kill everything on the rock. Whatever money you paid for it, would be wasted. There is a lot growing within LR that is very benefical to any tank.
If you have ich, you best set up a QT.
I am currently relocating my reef tank and I set up a 37gal rubbermaid which now contains all of my fish and corals! This kind of think could also work for you in setting up a makeshift QT.
If you must leave the fish in the tank, still no copper, just do hyposalinity.

 

[1clownman]

I my LFS said I should use organicure, its 1.25 copper and 17% formaldehyde and after I am done I could use a poly filter to remove the meds, Does that sound crazy? I only have about 50 bucks in the live rock, I got it from someone who change into a smaller tank for 1 dollar a pound. I would like to find something that works and that I could use again if needed. THX!

 

[lefty]

Setting up a QT would cost less than 50 dollars. And a special filter may remove the copper out of the water, but it certainly can't remove it from everything else in your tank. There are other ways to treat ich besides copper.
-lefty

 

[1clownman]

like what? I have tried ick attack and malchite green, no luck!! I think I am going to start hypo even with my live rock, I heard the bacteria will live but any inverts will die, I am willing to risk that.

 

[1clownman]

I thinkI will go to the store and get a buck for at least have of my live rock and do the hypo like beth said, thanks beth I will keep you updated! is that ok? to leave some LR in the tank for the fish?

 

[lefty]

What's wrong with putting your fish in a QT?
-lefty

 

[1clownman]

fish are too aggresive i have a clown trigger and a niger trigger that are pretty big plus a blue tang and flame angel, they wouldn't be happy in a 10 or 2o gallon qt

 

[1clownman]

by the way all I have is a cheap hydrometer

 

[1clownman]

started hypo last night and this morning all was lookig good except for my clown trigger, damn! he is breathing very very heavy and he has wedged himself between some rocks. I did the hypo just like it said to.

 

[1clownman]

hypo should be - 1.009 but what happens if you keep it at 1.012, I have read many site's that say just to get it to 1.013 or lower, what happens if the salinity goes down to 1.008 or 1.007 will that kill the fish? I would love some help!

 

[1clownman]

right now I have it down to about 1.016-17 from 1.019-20 over last night, I was going to take it down to 1.012-13 today and to 1.009-10 tomarrow but my clown trigger is very stressed, should I slow down? thanks guys :help:

 

[cubfan]

Sounds very stressful on the fish. I set up my QT tank for $20 worth of yard sale stuff. 20 gallon tank, el cheapo hang on filter, heater, and a piece of PVC pipe to hide in. That's it! And the fish even has a view of the TV to watch cable and I don't even charge it like a real hospital!!!

Good luck with your current treatment and I hope everyone pulls through.