Haiwaiian Hairy Lobster and Copper

[.Chris.]

Hello!

There is a tank which is under my care presently which has previously been treated with Seachem Cupramine, due to an outbreak of Marine Velvet. After leaving the tank with Cupramine at a measured level of 0.55 mg/L (via Hanna Instruments High Range Copper Colorometer) for 8 weeks, I deemed the tank safe for fish once again. Over the last 5 weeks, I have done weekly 50% water changes, and have gone through two 250mL bottles of Seachem Cuprisorb, and it has brought down my Cupramine levels to 0.13 mg/L.

I realise at this point that the copper is likely leaching from the rock and sand, as they had become saturated during treatment. I also know that over time, it will likely all be absorbed or taken out via water change.

The question is, at this level would it be safe to put a Enoplometopus occidentalis? I suspect yes, as the level is quite low, and it is chelated copper. I actually had a couple larger hermit crabs survive the treatment, and in the past, I have seen other inverts survive at this level of copper and higher.

So what are your thoughts?

 

[Shawn O]

Sk8r posted something about using floss pads to remove the copper. Don't know how successful you're going to be removing it from the rock and sand, though.

 

[Calappidae]

Off topic, but I wouldn't trust a lobster with fish. They're pretty destructive around other livestock.

 

[snorvich]

Off topic, but I wouldn't trust a lobster with fish. They're pretty destructive around other livestock.

I agree.

 

[snorvich]

Don't know how successful you're going to be removing it from the rock and sand, though.

I do not think you will remove it from the rock or sand.

 

[.Chris.]

Over time the copper should leach out of the rock and into the water column and be removed by water changes or cuprisorb. I'm not concerned about that overly (or the lobster attacking the fish).

My question is do you think that level of cupramine will kill the lobster?

 

[Calappidae]

It's not going to be removed that easily. Once it leeches out, it begins killing things. Inverts will not survive any trace of leeching copper, which is why you should never dose the main tank, but quarentine the fish in a seperate system.

Yes, any level of copper will straight up kill, if not, cause serious health effects on the lobster.