Orion February 4, 2014 Author February 4, 2014 Found this formula for dosing Cupramine on RC. Very helpful if you want to be more precise. (.381) * (strength of dose) * (gallons being treated) = mL of Cupramine to dose Example: (.381) * (.5mg/L) * (10.5 gallons) = 2mL of Cupramine to dose QT is currently at .3mg/L. Dosed just under .4mL this morning to raise the copper concentration to .35mg/L in the tank. Will dose this amount over the next 3 days to bring the final copper concentration to .5mg/L. Plan is to hold that final concentration for about 3 weeks just to be sure all the cysts are killed.
Sharkey18 February 4, 2014 February 4, 2014 Sorry about your losses. Builds can be exciting and tragic all at the same time. Keep moving forward, it will all come together.
Orion February 6, 2014 Author February 6, 2014 I jumped the gun on the initial dose of cupramine. It's kind of a catch 22. The fish need to be treated, but yet they can't handle such a large dose of copper at once. I have been PM'ing with monkiboy and came to the conclusion that I needed to get the copper levels down. I added Cuprisorb, and the copper level was 0 in a couple of hours. The fish were noticeably better, and were eating again. I am now down to 2 fish, and I keep beating myself up for not QT'ing. Going to fatten them up today and then restart the dosing tomorrow. Will start at .1 and go up in .05 increments each day, and do a more therapeutic dose of .35 for awhile. I keep changing 30% of the water every day, and siphon out any detritus/uneaten food. It's probably overkill, but I see no signs of ammonia on the seachem ammonia alert badge.
Orion February 12, 2014 Author February 12, 2014 It has been 10 days since I started the QT/HT. The last two fish show no noticeable signs of ich, and seem to be tolerating a therapeutic level of cupramine at .3. I tried to go higher but the Jawfish didn't seem to like it, and stopped eating for a day so I'll keep this level for another 20 days. After that I'll keep them in the QT tank with no copper for an additional 30 days for observation, and then they will go back into the DT. If ich returns when they go back in the display I give up.
Orion February 25, 2014 Author February 25, 2014 (edited) I picked up this gorgeous Aussie Hammer from monkiboy over the weekend. It looks even better in person, and the picture seriously does not do it justice. For the first time ever my Hanna Checker showed 0.00 on the phosphate meter. I had to retest again using the other vial just to be sure. The jawfish and angel are still alive and eating well, and show no signs of illness or stress. I'll start removing the Cupramine after next weekend, and then observe for an additional 30 days while the fallow period runs its course. The pod population has blossomed in the DT with no fish, and the Cherub Angel is going to have a feast when it gets back in. Edited February 25, 2014 by Orion
YHSublime February 25, 2014 February 25, 2014 I was wondering who picked that up! Awesome grab! The pods will explode while fallow, it's another benifit I found You're doing a great job, it will pay off!
Orion February 25, 2014 Author February 25, 2014 I was wondering who picked that up! Awesome grab! The pods will explode while fallow, it's another benifit I found You're doing a great job, it will pay off! Thanks! Going the QT route really forces you to take things slow. I am glad I am doing this, and you were right - It's not that difficult at all to QT. I would like to upgrade my skimmer, but having a hard time finding one that will fit. Initially I didn't plan on using a filter sock in my build, and that takes up a bit of space in the first chamber.
BowieReefer84 February 25, 2014 February 25, 2014 Looks good. You ghost feeding the tank while fallow?
Orion February 25, 2014 Author February 25, 2014 Looks good. You ghost feeding the tank while fallow? Yes once a day I'll throw in some pellets or frozen. The cleaner shrimp, sexies, and other inverts have to be fed.
Orion February 28, 2014 Author February 28, 2014 Copper removed from QT tank as of today using Cuprisorb and a 50% water change. One more month to go until these two can go back into the display. I replaced the stock 90 degree lenses on the Maxspect Razor to 120 degree lenses. Before After You can see the light is now spread evenly across the entire top of the tank. The colors are also blended together much better, and Maxspect/CoralVue didn't charge an arm and a leg to replace the lenses either. Now if I could only get a couple of these Monti's to color up...
Orion March 1, 2014 Author March 1, 2014 Purple Bonsaii growth from less than two months ago. This piece is encrusting quickly, and it has started to turn a lighter purple. Jan 6 Feb 28
YHSublime March 1, 2014 March 1, 2014 Nice encrusting. Wont be long before it starts to shoot up instead of out! Also, the optics difference looks nice from the pictures!
Orion March 8, 2014 Author March 8, 2014 Stopped by ERC the other day and picked up a few goodies. 5 Ricordeas Fungia Zoas. Bad pic due to lighting. Hopefully the pygmy Angel doesn't think these are a snack. Hard to believe this birdsnest was a 2" frag a few months ago. Now a full colony.
Orion March 21, 2014 Author March 21, 2014 Upgrades are fun. Avast CS1 Skimmer, Swabbie, and Locker. I moved the chaeto, and refugium area to the first chamber, and put the skimmer in the middle chamber. I was concerned about microbubbles going back up into the display, but this skimmer doesn't give off any! To counteract the splashing from the effluent pipe I put a sponge underneath it. Works great. Just a couple more weeks left until I can put the fish back in.
YHSublime March 21, 2014 March 21, 2014 I was concerned about microbubbles going back up into the display, but this skimmer doesn't give off any! To counteract the splashing from the effluent pipe I put a sponge underneath it. Works great. Nice! Seriously though, that is an awesome upgrade for that tank! I plumbed a "T" into my effluent with a 90 degree PVC right back into the water, the silencer that rests on the very top should have a hole in the acrylic that allows air to flow through all the way. The sponge also works, but this is a great alternative if you do not wish to have a sponge in your sump. I guess you could always use it for your next qt
Orion March 21, 2014 Author March 21, 2014 EXACTLY why I like the sponge. collects good bacteria, and keeps the water from splashing. Still getting light tea color from the skimmer, but I have a feeling the dark stuff is coming soon.
BowieReefer84 March 21, 2014 March 21, 2014 With no fish and that huge skimmer, it might just be there isn't much for it to take out. Looks good.
Orion March 21, 2014 Author March 21, 2014 With no fish and that huge skimmer, it might just be there isn't much for it to take out. Looks good. That's true, but I am still feeding the tank as if there were fish in it. This thing is a beast.
dmatt56 March 22, 2014 March 22, 2014 Make sure you clean the sponge every couple weeks tho. It'll start to trap nitrates for you. Looks good! Glad you made it fit in your sump!
Orion March 22, 2014 Author March 22, 2014 (edited) Heater failure in the QT tank. Went to perform a water change and noticed the temp only at 70 degrees (78-80 is where it was kept at). Both fish seem fine. Going to work on slowly raising the temp. Luckily I have a spare heater (Eheim Jäger). The brand that failed was an Aqueon 100w Edited March 22, 2014 by Orion
Orion March 30, 2014 Author March 30, 2014 Putting the Jawfish and Cherub back into the display today from QT. They are healthy, ich free, and the display has been fallow for 60 days.
Orion March 30, 2014 Author March 30, 2014 Both are hiding, and are a bit stressed. Just hoping 60 days did the trick.
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