Calling all Copper experts....

[bheron]

"Consensus on Copper?"
When I started my tank about a year ago, I filled it with hose water. Then, for a few months did all water changes and top offs with tap water. I then discovered this site and learned about water quality, RO and RO/DI water and, hence, the dangers of Copper! Bought a Copper test kit and found, yep, copper in my water. Had the water company come out and test and they found a high level of copper in two spigots. Now I know why I can keep my fish alive but NO inverts!!!
I first thought that gradual water changes would get rid of it. So I've been doing all top-offs and water changes (about 5-6 20% changes since then) with nothing but RO water. However, I still see some trace of copper in my tank, and I can't even get a snail to live for more than 3 days.
The question is: what should I do to get rid of it?
I've done my research and checked out every post with the word "Copper" in the subject from the past year. I've summarized by findings below - I'd be forever grateful for some strong opionions on the right solution(s) here:
1) Some say you'll never get rid of it - its in the LR, the silcone, the filters, media, etc. Basically I'm done.
2) Some say use "Poly Filters"
3) Two people said "Chemi-Purees" from Kent
4) And yet one more person mentioned "Cop-Away" with "Copri-sorb" from Aquatronics
I am down to 3 fish, no inverts, and about 35 lbs of LR in a 75 gallon tank with CC. These fish have lived for 7-10 months so far. Can't keep any inverts alive. Would like to have mostly fish wih some inverts eventually.
Do I have to empty the tank and start over? I may do that anyway and change out the CC with LS.
Help?

 

[bheron]

Thanks, Kip. That's the kind of reply I'm looking for.
PS - I want to be clear that its a very small amount (hard to tell the exact number b/c I'm using color strips)

 

[nas19320]

Seachem makes a product called Cuprisorb and they claim that "when in continuous use, it gradually pulls out precipitated copper and permits invertebrate culture in tanks previously treated with copper." You might wanna give that a try. I believe there was someone else here that had copper in their tank and after using this product and doing a few other things they now are able to keep corals. Try a search for copper and it should come up.

 

[saltynewbie]

hey-
ill tell you what i did... (did it twice, and removed copper both times.. copper has been 0 by my test and my LFS's test for about 6 months.) i placed a cupri-sorb bag, 2 poly-filters, AND a chemi-pure bag in my emperor mechanical filter. when the poly-filters turned blue, i replaced them. this has worked for me twice. no traces of copper anywhere. right now i have 2 CBS, tons of hermits and snails, and 2 conchs in there.. GOOD LUCK!

 

[j21kickster]

if that is the case would running a tank at a lower PH ang using copper removers clear it out-(in the meantime keeping your fish in a different tank)?

 

[bheron]

Great feedback! Wow, I love that I can post a critical message on here and the next morning have some great insight into my problem.
I was first thinking that I would try to rid it with filters, water changes, etc since I am not planning on having any elaborate inverts. But then I saw the message from Kip amout the anemones and also remembered how I couldnt even keep a snail alive. They are not elaborate inverts.
I can bring myself to empty the tank, get rid of the LR (how properly???), get a new DSB, and start over when I bug my Typhoon III. But from all the reading I've done it sounds like I have to get a new tank, too??? I've also heard some people say to trash all the filters (completely) too! Starting over is always fun. But practically throw away 100% of my entire investment is tough!!!

 

[leigh]

Clearly this is fates way of telling you to buy the bigger tank you know you want
I'm with all the folks that say it's there and there for good. Sorry

 

[harrysreef]

I like kip would trash the rock, sand etc but save the tank by putting a new film layer of aquarium sealant over your current sealer this will seal anything leached into the sealant. A tube of sealant is cheaper than a tank.

 

[bheron]

leigh - LOL!
You are all right. I've read about re-sealing tanks but even heard some people doubt that! Hate to go that far and STILL have Copper in my tank. Maybe I can sell the tank on ----.
How do you "get rid of" LR in a proper way??? Is there such a thing?

 

[leigh]

i think by saying "the proper way" people are just saying make it clear to whoever you sell it to that copper was used and thus that it should be used in fish only systems.

 

[bheron]

Draxx-
I agree, I have already decided to try to rid it first and see what inverts I can keep in my tank. Right now I have a FOWLR and only want a few little "cleanup crew" inverts and a few other stuff. So, yes, I'll try a cleanup process as outlined by you and others first before starting from scratch.
Thank you !!!