I have copper....... Now what?

[KatLongo]

I need some thoughts and help -- I've downsized my 180 and am moving to a 57 gallon Edge. In the inbetween time, I've moved some rock, my three remaining fish and a few softies into my old 29 (it's always been SW - the tank I started with 15 years ago)

I moved all my snails and shrimp over to the 29 a month or so ago. Within three days everyone was dead (just the inverts). On a lark, I tested for copper and guess what, detectable levels of copper. I've NEVER used copper in this tank so I can't figure out where it came from. I did notice that when I put my new light fixture on the tank, that the old one had some corrosion around the back edge - could that be the source? I did massive water changes and it's less, but stilll slightly detectable.

I'm obviously not going to use any of this water in my 57 BUT is it safe to use the LR? I'm going to scream if I can't as it's all at least 15 years old and I saved the most beautiful pieces for my new tank.

 

[RARECLOWNSNJ]

I would put the rock in a container with a power head and test again in a couple days to see if its detectable.

That is very very wierd

Also check for any peices of metals in the 29.

 

[KatLongo]

Weird is an understatement. The only thing in the tank is two powerheads that I moved from my 180, rocks and softies moved over, the pump for the HOB skimmer that I've used on this tank for 8 years (It's been my large fish QT more times than I can count) AND on day one for this setup I moved over one or two snails to keep the glass cleanish -- they survived for over a month before the fateful overnight that every invert died.

I know the copper came from somewhere, but the only place I can think of would be the light fixture that I just tossed.

 

[RARECLOWNSNJ]

Its possible if water corroded the metal and dripped in the tank.

The problem is sometimes stuff like that can get into the rock and slowly leach out. Seperate the rock into a container with new saltwater and test in a day or two.

Check for any metals in the tank. Even the smallest little peice can leach copper.

 

[Widdy]

I would run some Polypads until you figure out the source or until it the pad comes back clear of color. I think it'll change to a blue color if it absorbs copper.

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

I usually find them at local Petlands...

 

[KatLongo]

I just did a water change (it's soo easy to do a 29 versus a 180!) and pulled out a few pieces of rock. I also checked my source water, which is clear. I'll check that bucket this weekend and hope for the best. Do you think if it's fine that means my rock will be ok?

 

[edd]

you should run carbon on the 29 with the rock. it will remove copper.
im sure your using ro water. if you have low ph main water it will strip copper from the pipes.

 

[Reef Reaper]

cuprisorb and poly pads will do the trick. are you sure it was copper? i just moved to a larger tank and forgot to rinse the sand. it was in buckets for a few day and it killed most of my coral.