uv/copper

[ej]

I Know that most lfs have copper i their systems, Do they also run a uv steriliser alog with the copper? If they do is that over kill?

 

[von_rahvin]

i would not thing that most LFS use copper in their systems. My LFS i know runs no copper. Copper in a reef is bad, let us just say terminal. corals when exposed to copper have a bad tendency to die.
copper also stresses the fish. it works by causeing them to create more slime, this makes it hard for the paracites to stick on to them. it also makes life harder for the fish.
UV's are great for FO systems, for a reef, there are mixed thoughts.

 

[ej]

Thaks Rob, I guess I should have bee more specific. I know copper is lethal to reefs, I was thinking of the fish only sys. and as far as I kow most of the lfs will use copper in the fish sys. They just do not advertise it.

 

[sonny]

I used to work in pet store. Some stores do keep copper in their fish only systems. You have to remember that they are getting shipments of fish every week or two. In effect, they are in quarantine tanks at the store, because there's no way to keep diseased fish from entering your store, since you don't see the fish until it arrives. Even seeing it is no guarantee that it is not sick. I think it is a good thing when stores keep some copper in the fish systems. You need to test the copper level to make sure it is not too high. I still recommend quarantining fish for 3 weeks before adding them to your display tank. Copper is not a treatment for everything, but helps with parasites. It does nothing for bacterial and viral infections. One thing I don't like to see is a fish store that ALL the tanks are connected. That invites disease transmission. My opinion.
Sonny

 

[von_rahvin]

i agree with that but, how else could a fish store be able to stay in business? one huge skimmer that skimms 4000 gallons might cost like 1000 dollars, or you get 16 smaller skimmers that each cost 300. it is a nice idea, but i side with the stores, they would have to jack up to prics too much

 

[sonny]

I'm saying I don't like it when ALL of the tanks are on one system. There is a LFS here that has probably 75 tanks on one system. If you have say 10 tanks on each system, that helps keep the spread of disease down. Plus, display tanks in stores don't all have to have skimmers anyway. They end up doing lots of water changes anyway. Every time they sell a fish, it takes some water out, and they have to mix up salt water to replace it. I had success for years keeping saltwater tanks with only an undergravel filter. They work great, but they need more maintenance than other types. Skimmers are fantastic, and I use one, but you can have a very healthy tank without one. When you get into reefs, then I say SKIM away... but a fish only tank will work fine without one. If you wanted to do it, you could have a hang on skimmer that you moved from system to system and leave it there for a week or so.
Sonny

 

[pufferlover]

EJ you got a lot of answers but no one answered what you really asked so let me. Yes most lfs do run copper on FO tanks and also run UV at the same time. The best store I ever bought from did this and I still have a lot of their fish 5 & 6 years later (alas tho the store is gone for close to 5 years now- I miss that place it had the best darn fish I ever bought). The place I use now does the UV and when they have problems drip copper- that is why I do not buy fish from there without QT them- the owner tries but has no clue what he should be doing (but it is close to me and every so often they get something I can use, but I seldom buy fish there anymore- this place makes me miss the other one even more.)

 

[ej]

Thaks for the aswers, And thank you pufferlover for a direct one. I know this couple that owns a local shop and the last salt water guy (that just got fired) had put copper in the sys and shut down all the UVs for the sys. They are more into the rest of the busiess, so I'm tryig to help them. Thanks!!!