Copper Power Calculator
Calculate the exact amount of Copper Power needed to reach your target ppm level.
How Copper Power Calculator Works
This calculator helps you determine the precise amount of Copper Power medication needed to treat parasites like ich and velvet in your aquarium. Copper Power is a chelated copper treatment that's specifically formulated to work at 2.5 ppm – nearly five times the normal toxic level in saltwater – while remaining safe for fish.
The calculator takes your tank volume, current copper level, and desired concentration to compute exactly how much Copper Power to add. It also shows you how much copper each mL of medication adds to your system, which helps you understand dosing accuracy.
Unlike other copper treatments that precipitate out of the water quickly, Copper Power remains stable and active for months. This stability allows for more effective parasite treatment and reduces the need for constant re-dosing during the treatment period.
Copper Power Calculator Formula Breakdown
Formula
Copper Power needed = (Desired concentration - Current concentration) × Tank volume ÷ 2.5
Copper per mL = 2.5 ÷ Tank volume
Total mL for target concentration = (Tank volume × Desired concentration) ÷ 2.5Variables Explained
- Tank volumeThe total water volume of your aquarium or treatment tank in gallons. This should include the water in your sump, refugium, and plumbing if treating a complete system. For quarantine tanks, measure the actual water volume rather than the tank's rated capacity.
- Current copper levelThe existing concentration of copper in your tank measured in parts per million (ppm). Test this with a reliable copper test kit like the Hanna Copper Checker HI702. If you haven't added copper yet, this value should be 0.0 ppm.
- Desired copper concentrationThe target copper level you want to achieve, measured in parts per million (ppm). For Copper Power, the therapeutic range is typically 1.5-2.5 ppm, with 2.5 ppm being the manufacturer's recommended concentration for treating copper-resistant parasites.
Example Calculation
Given:
- Tank volume: 500 gallons
- Current copper level: 1.0 ppm
- Desired copper concentration: 1.75 ppm
Calculation:
PPM increase needed: 1.75 - 1.0 = 0.75 ppm
Copper Power needed: (1.75 - 1.0) × 500 ÷ 2.5 = 150.00 mL
Copper per mL dosed: 2.5 ÷ 500 = 0.00500 ppm
Total mL to reach 1.75 ppm from 0: (500 × 1.75) ÷ 2.5 = 350.00 mLResult:
150.00 mLExplanation
This example shows dosing a 500-gallon reef system that already has some copper present from previous treatment. You'd need to add 150 mL of Copper Power to increase the concentration from 1.0 ppm to the target 1.75 ppm.
Tips for Using Copper Power Calculator
- 💡Always test copper levels with a reliable colorimeter like the Hanna HI702 rather than color-comparison test kits, which can be inaccurate and subjective.
- 💡Gradually increase copper levels over 2-3 days when starting treatment to allow fish to acclimate, even though Copper Power is generally safe to add at full strength.
- 💡Remove activated carbon and protein skimmers during treatment, as they can remove copper from the water and reduce effectiveness.
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