Mardel's instructions say that the doses given in the instructions will yield a 1.5 - 2.0 ppm concentration (5ml of solution per 4 gallons of water). I've been adding new coppersafe with each partial water change to maintain the levels.
However.. Visible ich spots just returned to one my neon tetras after a 15 day absence. So, I decided to check the levels.
I've just tested and found 0.25 in one tank and 0.5 in two others. The tetras were in the one with 0.25ppm. And, there is a snail crawling around in there! This stuff is supposed to kill snails as a side effect!
I've read in various places that things can affect the copper levels, including disolved organic waste, etc etc. The tetras tank has had a long history of being a bit wonky with pH - I assume that there is leftover organic matter deep in the gravel that I didn't pick up with the gravel vac. The tetras inherited the tank - it was my first one and was the one I was originally overfeeding in.
Also, the darn tap-water conditioners all "remove heavy metals, including copper". I'm sure that is having an effect, especially since I'm being a bit on the generous side with water changes.
The point of my question though is that I've read two different recommendations for levels. One is 1.5-2.0ppm (The test kit measures ppm also). The fish health book mentions 0.3-0.5mg/L. I've seen other copper based medications that also give dosage measurements in mg/L (0.2 = theraputic, 0.8 = toxic). (mg/L == ppm)
Are they talking about the same thing? Or is this a free copper vs chelated copper thing? As near as I can tell, mardel's coppersafe is chelated copper.
Dare I assume that the levels are just too low and that I need to increase them closer to what Mardel's instructions say? And if so, do I just gradually add more till the levels test at a more reasonable value?
I tested a 5 gallon bucket of water filled to the 4G mark, with the water conditioner I'm using (aqua plus, to break the chloramine down). Mardel's dose gives me a little over 0.5 ppm after letting it settle for 15 minutes. Adding a second dose takes it pretty close 2.0ppm. ie: the second dose added about 1.5ppm, which is closer to what is supposed to happen.
This suggests to me that the water conditioner is eating a good portion of the initial dose. Does that sound plausible to anybody else? [You know, maybe I should test this theory on some water without conditioner in it, or some de-ionized water. I'll try that tomorrow.]
Anyway, what I'm most worried about is the discrepancy in the dosage levels. My inclination is to go with the numbers that mardel give, but I'd like a second opinion on what the AP copper level test kit. [I just found additional instructions online - AP's web site says that it tests both free and chelated copper levels and to use the levels recommended by the label of the medication...]
(Its a new product and not in their regular product indexes yet - you can see the instructions here: http://www.aquariumpharm.com/testkits/copper.html)
BTW: is anybody else annoyed with all these kitchen sink products that do too much? I've just noticed that they added a synthetic slime code additive to aqua plus! I was originally using it because it didn't have as much junk in it as amquel+, and now its got aloe vera extract and causes water to foam. Is a simple chlorine/chloramine remover too much to ask for??? (I have chloramine which wont evaporate) I'd be using deionized water if I didn't have such a hard time getting the buffering right. I've already learned the hard way about the the 7.0 buffers that are phosphate based (algae+++ !!).
Immediate Help
