Snowflake eel and copper

[theirr]

Hello,
I've got a 100 FOWLF tank with a wet-dry. I've had a 2in clown trigger, 3in Hawii Trigger, 3in Harliquen Tusk, 4in dog puffer and 15in snowflake eel for some time. I saw some signs of ick so I dosed with copper power. Fish look good and the ick is gone, its been 4 weeks and I have been removing 10% of the water a week and not adding any copper. It appears the SFE did not like it. He is not active anymore and barely cares that I am putting squid in front of him. He usually wont eat it. I'm guessing copper and eels are just as bad as a match as fish and copper since I always see eels and in the same water as fish in LFSs and you know they have a heavy dose of copper in there at all times.../????
Rob

 

[ophiura]

Copper is not a good treatment for a tank with eels. And it is a misconception that all LFS treat their tanks with copper. IMO, you have to address the source of stress that leads to ick outbreaks. In time, you will have a major issue, IMO, with the clown trigger in that tank. And you will be at this crossroad again, I am afraid.
I would strongly suggest you get a copper reading immediately (copper should never be used in a tank unless you are testing the levels closely). You need to take a significantly more actve role in lowering the concentration of copper, IMO. Add a lot of fresh carbon and replace after a couple of days. Get a polyfilter and add that to the tank. Boost the frequency of your water changes, and, IMO, the amount.
It is in general a very bad idea to dose a display tank with copper, IMO.

 

[aquaria]

Originally Posted by ophiura
Add a lot of fresh carbon and replace after a couple of days. Get a polyfilter and add that to the tank. Boost the frequency of your water changes, and, IMO, the amount.
It is in general a very bad idea to dose a display tank with copper, IMO.
I actually did the same thing one time, i made the big mistake of putting copper in my tank. My sfe was the only fish who really survived the crash

.
Long story short, he did act weird for about a week after that and his gill went out.
It was weird he was only breathing with one gill.
Anyway i fed him vitimin enriched foods, with garlic, and it healed right up.
As for the tank, i would run some carbon and do water changes as Ophiura said.
Good luck

 

[lion_crazz]

Not all LFS use copper in the tanks.
However, eels and puffers in a tank with copper is always a terrible idea and could very well kill both of the fish.
Begin running carbon/chemi-pure and do water changes to get the copper out of the tank.

 

[nereef]

seachem makes a product called Cuprisorb that might be worth a shot.

 

[greenwolf52]

i did the same thing and lost my green wolf blenny. he started out handling it fine but gradually got worse and wouldn't eat. eventually died. still trying to remove the copper after 3 months of running carbon and poly filters. i've been told that the copper actually soaks into the rock and takes a very long time to be rid of it completely.
this is one mistake i will never make again and unfortunately had to learn it the hard way.
good luck...