Copper and plants

[gwhunter]

Does anyine know if copper will be an issue with live plants? I'm planning on adding some red kelp to the mix and I'm concerned about the plant's reaction to copper. I don't want to get into the QT discussion just some educated opinions/observations please.
Matt

 

[aquaknight]

At normal copper treatment levels, there are no problems associated to plants/algae. In fact, the plants/algae will begin to start pulling the copper out of the water, which is why it's not advisable to have them in your tank during a treatment process. However, raised, and more so extremely high levels of copper, that can practically kill anything anyways, will probably kill the plants and algae too.
Just some addition FYI/FWIW, kelp is an algae, not a plant, and I'm unsure of which 'red kelp' in particular you are referring to, but most species of kelp are cooler water, and don't always do great in our warmer water, tropical systems.

 

[gwhunter]

Is algae not a plant? I'd post a link to the red kelp I'm thinking of but I believe it's against the rules. It's red smooth leaf kelp (rhodphyta) and supposed to require temps of 72-78. Is there a good low light plant for a marine tank?
Matt%%

 

[small triggers]

I have some red kelp in my tank that hitchiked in,, does great looks good. I keep my tanks at about 74-76 degrees though