Fritz Copper Test Kit | Free & Chelated Copper for Saltwater Treatment

The Fritz Copper Test Kit is a liquid test kit that measures both free and chelated copper levels in saltwater and freshwater aquariums — the must-have tool any time you're dosing chelated copper to treat marine ich (Cryptocaryon irritans), velvet (Amyloodinium), or other external parasites in a quarantine tank.

Pair this with our other water testing kits, medications, and maintenance & water care.

Why You Need a Copper Test Kit

• Therapeutic dosing window is narrow. Effective copper concentrations for ich/velvet sit between roughly 1.5–2.5 ppm for chelated formulations. Below that, the parasite survives; above that, the fish is at serious risk.
• Reads both free and chelated copper. Most standard hobby copper tests only show free Cu, which dramatically underreports the true therapeutic level when using chelated meds (Fritz CopperSafe, Seachem Cupramine, etc.).
• Track daily during ramp-up. When dosing toward therapeutic levels, test every 24 hours so you can adjust your dose precisely.
• Confirm baseline. Use it before returning fish from QT to a display tank to confirm copper has cleared.

How to Use

• Rinse the test vial thoroughly with tank water before each test.
• Fill with the indicated volume of aquarium water from the affected tank.
• Add reagent per the included instructions and mix gently.
• Wait the recommended development time, then compare the color to the printed color chart in natural daylight or under a neutral white light.
• Record the reading and adjust your medication dose to stay within the therapeutic range your medication's instructions specify.

Specifications

Recommended Pairings

• Fritz Master Test Kit — complete water chemistry panel
• Fritz 6-in-1 Test Strips — fast daily water-quality screen
• Salifert Copper Test Kit — alternative copper reagent kit
• Browse all medications
• Browse all Fritz products

Important Cautions

• NEVER dose copper in a display reef tank. Copper is lethal to corals, all marine invertebrates (shrimp, snails, crabs), and live rock biofilms. Treat in a separate quarantine or hospital tank only.
• Copper binds to substrate, rock, and silicone over time. Once used in a tank, that tank should be considered a permanent QT — copper can leach back into water for years.
• Follow your medication's exact target range. Different chelated copper products specify different therapeutic levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this test work with Fritz CopperSafe / Seachem Cupramine / Hikari Coppersafe?
Yes. This kit reads both free and chelated copper, which is exactly what those chelated copper medications require. Follow each medication's specific target ppm range.

Can I use it in my display reef tank to check for copper contamination?
Yes — you can absolutely test display water for residual copper. But do NOT add copper to a reef tank; it will kill invertebrates and corals.

How often should I test during treatment?
At least once every 24 hours during the ramp-up to therapeutic levels, and every 2–3 days once a stable therapeutic concentration is confirmed. Always test before re-dosing.

How long does the kit last?
Each kit provides multiple tests; check the box for exact count. Stored properly (cool, dry, capped), reagents are typically usable for 1–2 years.