Injured fish Help!

[newreef1]

Skimmers can be run during all medications, just don't collect skimmate (let it run back into the tank) for prazi or antibiotics. Copper power has no issues with skimmers

I’ve been still collecting skimmate, that might explain the discrepancy in my reading. Although even checking with my Hannah checker back to back I’ve had different numbers?

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I’ve been still collecting skimmate, that might explain the discrepancy in my reading. Although even checking with my Hannah checker back to back I’ve had different numbers?

No - collecting the skimmate won't change the amount of copper to any high degree, since it doesn't foam up.

Getting different readings on the Hanna checker can be an issue with your technique - how far apart are the readings?

 

[newreef1]

No - collecting the skimmate won't change the amount of copper to any high degree, since it doesn't foam up.

Getting different readings on the Hanna checker can be an issue with your technique - how far apart are the readings?

After dosing in evening, checked in morning = 2.16 ppm. Dosed a little to bring up to at least 2.2-2.3 checked evening = 1.91 first time, check second time 2.56. Didn’t add anything in case reading was accurate. Checked again last night 1.96 ppm. Maybe the amount of powder I put into the water before reading? The packet is a pain I’m not sure I get all the contents of it out into the vial.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

After dosing in evening, checked in morning = 2.16 ppm. Dosed a little to bring up to at least 2.2-2.3 checked evening = 1.91 first time, check second time 2.56. Didn’t add anything in case reading was accurate. Checked again last night 1.96 ppm. Maybe the amount of powder I put into the water before reading? The packet is a pain I’m not sure I get all the contents of it out into the vial.

I've had that same issue getting the powder out of the packets.....

Copper does tend to drop normally. Do you have anything calcium based in the tank? Any sand or coral rocks?

 

[newreef1]

I've had that same issue getting the powder out of the packets.....

Copper does tend to drop normally. Do you have anything calcium based in the tank? Any sand or coral rocks?

I do have live rocks, I know ideally there should be nothing but I’ve dosed copper with the same rocks and I’m not keeping corals anytime soon so it should be fine.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I do have live rocks, I know ideally there should be nothing but I’ve dosed copper with the same rocks and I’m not keeping corals anytime soon so it should be fine.

The rocks will absorb some of the copper into their matrix. You'll need to test and redose periodically to offset that drop. Then, as you know, you'll want to ever avoid using those rocks in tanks with invertebrates.

 

[newreef1]

The rocks will absorb some of the copper into their matrix. You'll need to test and redose periodically to offset that drop. Then, as you know, you'll want to ever avoid using those rocks in tanks with invertebrates.

Will do, I’ll keep testing every couple days until I consistently get the same ppm. Thank you Jay!

 

[alp5747]

Skimmers can be run during all medications, just don't collect skimmate (let it run back into the tank) for prazi or antibiotics. Copper power has no issues with skimmers

Hi Jay. What do you mean by run the skimmate back into the tank? I was planning on using it as both aeration and collecting and removing organic matter from the tank. and why can’t you collect the skimmate? Thanks

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Hi Jay. What do you mean by run the skimmate back into the tank? I was planning on using it as both aeration and collecting and removing organic matter from the tank. and why can’t you collect the skimmate? Thanks

The skimmer will remove larger proteins from the water - praziquantel and some antibiotics. Therefore, you need to run the skimmer for extra aeration, but don't collect the skimmate, let it run back to the tank, or turn the skimmer down so it doesn't collect.