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Is it allright to use Coppersafe with cories and ottos? Also, is it OK to use it with MelaFix?
I had a Dwarf Gourami in my 29 gallon with danios, with pretty much freaked the poor guy out. He was showing signs of stress, with worn spots on this back and anal fin from rubbing, so moved him to the 10 gallon tank with the tetras (where he is beginning to feel better). Now I don't want what the Gourami had spreading to the other fish in either the ten or 29 gallon tank (did not have a hospital tank). Now some of the danios are not eating and some of the tetras in the ten gallon are hiding.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Yes it is alright to use Coppersafe with Cories and Oto's. Just at half strength. If the Oto's are in an already weakened condition it may be a bit much for them though.

You didn't mention seeing any external parasites, so what makes you believe you need to use the Coppersafe?

Rubbing alone isn't an indication of parasites. First test your water parameters to make sure the quality is good and that there is nothing happening with the water condition that could be causing irritation.

I'm not a big advocate of Melafix. Are you adding any other conditioners of any kind to either of these tanks on a regular basis?

Thank you for your reply. I tested the water and it came out fine, Ammonia and nitrates 0, PH 6.8 to 7. The temp has been a little high on both tanks, about 78 to 82. I have turned the furnace down a bit, but don't want it too much lower than that because I have bettas in one gallon bowls. One of the cories in the 29 had been acting strangely for the past few days, doing a strange little dance on the top of the water. He is doing better today, so far, at least. The current temp is 76 / 78.
No, I did not see any spots on any of the fish; just the Gourami rubbing on things with damage to his back and bottom fin (both looking better). I have been having a lot of problems with brown alge in the 29 gallon lately.
I will go ahead and use the copper safe on the ten gallon (with the Gourami), but hold off on the 29 for now.
Thanks!

Yes, I am using water conditioner; Aquasafe. Also, the PH was a bit high last week and I used some Propha PH 7 to bring it down. I hate using it, but the PH (last Wednesday) was over 7.6. I hope this helps.

based on what you have said, I really don't think it is necessary to treat either tank with the Coppersafe at this time but that is up to you.

I would agree that the temp was a bit high. I don't think Betta's need such high a temperature do they? The higher the water temp the lower the oxygen content. It is possible that the Cory was hanging at the top because the oxygen content in the water was insufficient. The algae present could also help deplete the oxygen content in the water. Do you use a light on this tank, if so, how long per day do you have it on?

I am assuming you used a pH test kit that the results you got, over 7.6 was the highest color on the test strip, am I right? If that is the case then maybe you need to get a high range pH test kit or have a sample of it tested at your local fish store. Do you know what the pH is coming out of your tap?

Tammy,
I have been using bottled water from a big name chain store (lets not go there)-- think it comes form Fort Smith, Arkansas. It comes out of the bottle showing a PH of 7, but later changes to a much higher rating after a few days in the tank. I don't understand it. My rating of 7.6 was the higest on the chart, but think it was even higher, a nice medium dark blue in the test bottle. If I don't treat the water with the Propha PH for a few weeks, the PH shoots back up. The tap water here is treated with ammonia. It has been a real problem for me as the PH in the tap water was a bit high also.
I do keep a light on, from about nine AM to about seven at night. I was having problems with the brown alge in the ten gallon tank, but it has cleared up; now it is just the 29 gallon. The 29 gallon sits over the ten gallon tank on a stand in one corner of the living room, but outside light from a large window in an ajoining room sometimes comes into one side of the larger tank (usually in the morning).
I am going to hold off on the copper safe until I better understand what is going on. I found the little cory dead in amongst the artificial plants, not long after my last post. Turning the heat down seems to have helped the others, but now I am the one who is cold!
I am not having a good start for the week. Saturday, my husband had a stroke up in PA. He is going to be OK, but now to find a way to get him back to North Carolina; then I found one of my bettas (and the cory)dead this morning.
Thank you for your advice. I appreciate any help that is offered.

Two Tanks...

I am sorry to hear about your husband. I hope everything works out well for him. Being less than healthy isn't fun, I know. My best to you both...

About the high pH... have you considered trying to lower the pH naturally in the tank? You can do this by placing a piece of bogwood in the tank or by filtering water over peat inside your filtration unit. Two other ways to lower pH may be by injecting CO2 into the tank or by performing water changes with softened water or Reverse Osmosis water.

Tammy...
I have some peat pellets someplace -- think I tryed it once, but I will try it again (a BioWheel 170 on the 29 gallon). I also, tryed Dolomite and it helped for a while, but clogges up the vac when cleaning the tank.
The nurse said, my husband is about the same today. His Dr. does not come in until later. He will need a physical therapist once he gets home (his left side is paralized, but Dr. says it is temporary). Thanks for caring!