Copper?

[txjigsaw]

Is copper considered a heavy metal? :notsure:

 

[ophiura]

Yes. Fatal to invertebrates which is why it is used to treat for parasites.

 

[txjigsaw]

Originally Posted by ophiura
Yes. Fatal to invertebrates which is why it is used to treat for parasites.
ok thanks
Will a water conditioner that neutralizes heavy metals take care of the copper in the water?

 

[ophiura]

It is unlikely to be extremely effective. I wish it was that easy to remove it but it isn't I am afraid. Are you sure you have copper?

 

[mr.p]

Since your one the topic of copper i made the mistake 2 months ago of adding copper into my main tank. It's been reading .5 for the last 3 or so weeks, will that .5 ever go away? i'm worried it won't, i want to put live rock so it's frustrating. I have done weekly water changes and just added new carbon last week. I'm worried though it might never leave my tank.

 

[ophiura]

Water changes, polyfilters...I think there are some heavy metal resins (maybe Kent makes one?) that may be required. It may be a long road, sorry to say.

 

[mr.p]

That's okay but i appreciate the help

. If i keep my water changes up should my fish be okay even with no live rock in there? until the copper is finally removed. they have been in there for about 2 months now. I'm just worried since i don't have any live rock and that sounds bad that something could go wrong. I had live sand but doubt it's alive again.

 

[mr.p]

i mean alive anymore

 

[ophiura]

What sort of fish do you have? Do you have any sort of "structure" in the tank for them?

 

[txjigsaw]

Originally Posted by ophiura
It is unlikely to be extremely effective. I wish it was that easy to remove it but it isn't I am afraid. Are you sure you have copper?
well all my snails are falling off the glass and are dead. all my test for ammonia, nirtrate,nitrite,ph,SG ,temp all all within a normal range. it seems to only be affecting my inverts my clown goby is fine. I don't know what else it could be.

 

[mr.p]

Structure like rock structure they can swim in and out of to feel comfortable? sorry if i'm wrong in that case i have a lot of rocks and this huge castle my coral beauty always stays in.
sorry for cutting in on this threat btw.

 

[ophiura]

Yup - that's what I meant by structure...just places for the fish to hide and feel secure. Whether live or not, that is important. And that structure is "alive" in the sense that it is hard surface - places where bacteria, important in biological filtration, can grow.
txjigsaw -
Well indeed, copper would be a reasonable assumption when you observe those symptoms. Quite classic. Have you had a test for copper? What is your water source? Have you ever added copper or medication to the tank?

 

[mr.p]

I have a blue spotted puffer/coral beauty/dot dash butterfly/foxface rabbitfish. i feed them formula 2 algae cubes every other day besides that mysis shrimp and spriulina brine (check spelling) and krill.

 

[txjigsaw]

No copper test kit but have one ordered since non off my local stores have any. Tap water, I know its really bad but i thought a water conditioner would work. Live and learn. Thanks for your hepl.