Is Copper Sulphate Safe For Fish Treatment?

Is Copper Sulphate Safe For Fish Treatment? Many people have had a bad experience with, or are afraid to use Copper Sulfate on their fish because they have been improperly informed about the mixing, dosing, and usage of this product.

Table of Contents

Is Copper Sulphate Safe For Fish Treatment? And What Copper does do to an aquarium?

Copper Sulfate is pretty much an all-around treatment. It is an Algaecide, meaning that it kills Algae, is Anti-Bacterial and anti-fungal, works on external Protozoa such as Ich, works on Oodinium, Sliminess of the skin, and kills certain parasites such as Cryptocaryon irritans (Saltwater Ich) and Crustacea (Argulus). It also works as a great preventative treatment for almost all fish, freshwater, or saltwater. We used to use it on Gill Flukes years ago, but now, the Gill Flukes have become resistant to this treatment.

Copper Sulphate smart crystal that is Safe For Fish Treatment except KOI and Goldfish

1- Copper Sulphate Smart Crystal

Do Not Use with KOI or Goldfish – Great for large pond or deck that has been overgrown with algae.

This is for large bodies of water, not for pools, decorative ponds, fish tanks, and water features. It is better to start with less, you can always add more.

Check Price on Amazon

How to mix up a Copper Solution properly:

Stock solution= 21 grams of Copper Sulfate + 21 grams of Citric Acid Crystals to 1 pint of distilled water. Shake well. Use 1 drop per gallon of aquarium water= .15ppm. Why use Citric Acid with Copper? Simple, it sequesters the solution to make it stable. Copper does not readily dissolve in water. The Citric Acid helps it to dissolve completely and prevent Copper levels from bouncing around.

How high can I run Copper?

Safe levels are .15ppm to .20ppm. Any higher may burn the fish and leave them with red sores on their sides. It is very important to use a Copper test kit when medicating with this product.

How do I remove Copper?

A common misconception about Copper is that it can be removed from the water with activated charcoal. It can only be removed by either doing water changes or by using E.D.T.A. (Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acidic Acid) to chelate it out of the water. Remember folks, there is no such thing as a “Chelated Copper Solution”, as “Chelated” means “Inactivated”. The proper terminology would be “Sequestered Copper Solution”.

Warnings before using Copper:

Although Copper is safe at the correct parts per million, there are certain things that Copper cannot be used on: Saltwater Sharks, Invertebrates, and for sure… reef tanks.

Also, be careful if using Copper to kill algae. When you dose the tank, the Copper readings will disappear, because the algae will suck it all up. Then the algae die and release all of the Copper back into the water.

Copper is a heavy metal ion and is considered a “Poison”. Care should be used when handling this product.

Depending on your purposes of using copper sulfate, you can also check out these popular alternatives.

Seachem Prime Conditioner

Is Copper Sulphate Safe For Fish Treatment?

2-Seachem Prime Conditioner

– Just a few drops will clear up an entire tank. It doesn’t take much to make a difference.
– This product will keep your fish and plants safe from harmful chemicals.
– Even shrimp, which are more sensitive to chemicals than fish are safe with this formula.
– This product works instantly.
– Could also be used in small fish ponds.

Check Price on Amazon

Seachem Cupramine Copper

Is Copper Sulphate Safe For Fish Treatment?

3- Seachem Cupramine Copper

Please be sure to read the directions & be careful with the calculation! – Great for snail problems. However don’t use this if you have shrimp, as they will also die along with the snails.

Great also for treating sick fish (having Marine velvet or Ich that is). This to me is one of the best ways to aggressively attack fish parasites before is too late. Quarantine the fish then immediately put this product in the tank and you’ll see the fish coming back to life in a matter of days.

Check Price on Amazon

More useful aquarium tips @ TheAquariumExchange.com

Is Copper Sulphate Safe For Fish Treatment?

Is Copper Sulphate Safe For Fish Treatment? And What Copper does do to an aquarium?

How to mix up a Copper Solution properly:

How high can I run Copper?

How do I remove Copper?

Warnings before using Copper:

2-Seachem Prime Conditioner

3- Seachem Cupramine Copper

Further Reading

Read These For Your Aquatic Friends:

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Resources

Quick Links

Our Company