Copper levels

[DBM Reef]

This probably will sound like a really dumb question but im gonna ask anyways lol. I just checked my copper because i cant figure anything else that could be wrong with my water and found it was .05 mg/l or maybe even a bit lower
than that. I have always heard that no amount of copper is ok in a reef but was wondering what you guys had to say on the subject

Thanks in advance
Jess

 

[Madisons_Mommy]

Can't answer your main question, but do you know how copper was introduced into your system? Did you purchase a used tank that may have had copper used in it by a previous owner?

 

[jaygalindo]

if your snails are dying then time for a whole new set up

 

[returnofsid]

Not totally true. Copper can be removed, or at least reduced, with the use of products such as Cupri-Sorb, as well as several other brand names.

 

[DBM Reef]

introduced

not sure how it was introduced but i just tested my other tank and it is about the same? if it was in just the one tank i would say maybe the hob refugium but both? kinda strange

 

[returnofsid]

Even if you have copper plumbing, as long as you let the water run a few minutes, before using any of the water, you shouldn't be getting copper from that source. Hmm, besides your source water, what else do the two tanks have in common? Same source for live rock? Any medications you've used in both? Any other used equipment that you've used in both?

On other thing....what type of copper test kit are you using? It seems I've read that most copper test kits aren't very accurate and that it's important, if wanting to test for copper levels, to use quality test kits. Any chance the test kit is expired or could have been contaminated?

 

[Boomer]

Yes, who's test kit. Some kits that have old reagents read coper in water even if it is zero. For example, the old AS Seatest/Fastest will read 0.15 Cu if the reagent is bad. Get some Polyfilters and if they turn any shade of blue what so ever you have copper. NSW CU++ is on the order of 0.00015 ppm. In an old test on 24 tanks with ICP all reef tanks where ~1/2 NSW.

 

[DBM Reef]

Test kit

the test kit that i got was an instant ocean / aquarium systems one and i just bought yesterday with expired test kits reagent 1 is mar 09 and reagent 2 is feb 09! so what are these aother polyfilter things your talking about boomer and where can i pick them up ?

Thanks again
Jess

 

[Boomer]

Polyfilters

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4335