copper in shops

[treesprite]

I'm wondering what other people think or feel about shops keeping copper in their selling tanks on a continuous basis. I have kind of mixed feelings about it. What really bothers me, is that shops don't automatically inform customers when they do use copper.

 

Several weeks ago I bought firefish from a shop that keeps copper in the tanks - that worried me because firefish can't always tolerate it. On the other hand, last week I bought little tangs from a shop that most of the time does not use copper - I'd have preferred the copper in that case.

[Coral Hind]

I prefer the copper. Roozen's use to, I don't know if they still do, run copper and I never had a single death from a sick fish from that store in ten years.

 

I agree it should be told to customers or a sign placed on the tanks. Hopefully everyone knows that you never add store water to you tank.

[paul b]

I can see putting up a sign but if it were not for copper, there would be no salt water fish hobby.

All fish used to be kept and transported in copper, I myself kept copper in my tank for years. Now with the advent of reefs, fish are healthier and copper is almost no longer needed except in stores where new additions are constantly added.

Paul

[flowerseller]

I think when you have a professional selling from tanks that are carefully controlled with copper, it's a good thing.

Like anything else, if you understand how to use medication, it's a benifit, when you don't, it's a disaster.

[johnnybv]

We do not use copper except for a rare occasion where it is needed, if treated properly if can be very effective and safe. Where you really need to worry is where the fish are coming from, wether its the catching techniques using arsenic and the holding facilities using copper and god knows what in LA.

john

[Charlie]

Forrest, I'm nowhere nearly as experienced as the other guys that have commented, but I would think that Copper (used properly) in quarantine tanks would be a good thing, particularly when fish from Lord knows where is carrying Lord knows what. I really don't have a problem using a reasonably common medication like Copper or something else to treat ich prophylactically. That said, I NEVER add store water to my tank and I will take a few hours to acclimate.

[treesprite]

I would like to see shops be more discriminating about which fish go into tanks with copper in them. I worry that it does more harm than good for certain types of fish, but then, prefer it with others.

 

I used copper a lot in the past and treated all my new fish with it before putting them in my tank, but during the last couple years have decided to use it only as a close-to-last-resort treatment.

[flowerseller]

Bear in mind, no retailer really knows what the fish went through (in it's water) before they got it.

They can only begin to practice the techniques that are proven to them and we have come to repect with our wallet.

[sen5241b]

Its an accepted practice to never let any LFS water into your tank.

[extreme_tooth_decay]

Its an accepted practice to never let any LFS water into your tank.

 

 

+1

 

For me, I drip acclimate, then when I think the fish is ready, I move him to a small bucket or bag with pure tank water (get him out of the mix of store water/my water) for a couple minutes, and then out of that one and into another one. Then, I put him in a net, and pour tank water through it to wash him, then put him in.

 

All to wash off as much store water as possible. Can't get it all, but I try to get as much as I can.

[Charlie]

Great idea. Then you don't have to worry whether they use Copper or anything else (for the most part).