copper and live rock question

[abashoe]

Hi Guys,

I have some questions about copper and live rock. I am very new to fish so please bear w/ me. This is my first tank ever. I have a 30 gallon tank, fish only (royal gramma, oceralis clown, damsel) and live sand.

4 weeks ago I purchased a fish and didn't realize it had ich (I didnt have a quarantine tank). Needless to say as soon as I realized this I tried to fix this. I dosed my tank w/ coppersafe and raised the temperature to 84 degrees and kept it like that for 2 weeks.

Since then I've done 2 water changes and replaced all the media in my HOB filter.

I've done reading w/ regards to copper and live rock and am a little confused. I've read that copper is a no-no for any inverts (which I assume live in the live rock).

I plan on running a FOWLR tank. Assume I can't remove all the copper from my system. What would happen to the live rock if i were to add it? Would it render the rock useless? Is it pointless to add it? What is live rock w/out the inverts? Will coraline algae ever grow on it?

My plan was to add rock to provide extra filtration and a more hospitable environment for my fish.

Sorry for the random questions. I'm just confused and would appreciate some help.

-al

 

[KathyC]

It is said copper is impossible to remove from a tank (it is adsorbed by the rock & sand..but those can be removed if one chooses) since the silicone adsorbs it also. I do know people who have run reef tanks successfully where copper had been used in the past, although they also were very aggressive in using copper removal products.

Copper affects the way blood is oxygenated in inverts, which is why they die where it has been used.

I'd get rid of the current sand and run polypads and look into a product like this:
http://www.marinedepot.com/Seachem_..._Media-Seachem-SC3271-FIFMCHCR-SC3275-vi.html

A copper test kit couldn't hurt although I am not sure how low a level of copper they would measure to help insure it was all gone.

It pains me to say this but after doing these things ( you need to take your time- this is not something thst will happen overnight!!)..you could try and put a hermit in there and see if he makes it

I can't answer with authority regarding the coralline, but I can't think of a reason why it would not grow given the proper parameters.

What ended up happening with the fish that brought in the ich, has he made it so far?

 

[abashoe]

Thanks for the info. I guess i'll just take it slow.

It's been a couple weeks and all the fish are still alive. I guess I just got lucky.

-al

 

[KathyC]

Definitely try the Cuprisorb, I have heard good things about it. Worth a try

Good to hear about the fish, but keep in mind, the dormat phase in Ich can last a couple of weeks before you see another outbreak , so do pay close attention and react right away if you see any signs of it reappearing! I have my fingers crossed for you!