So I had my water tested....and it has Copper in it. Is this too much?

[dg3147]

So, got bored one day and frustrated that in my 6 month old tank, I cannot keep sps alive. They all STN from the base up over about 2 weeks. So, I sent my water to some lab I found online and below are the results. It has Copper in it! Is this level really too high? Where the heck did it come from!


02-08-2013 - Davids Tank - 1 of 12
Ammonia (NH3-4) Good 0 0.000 - 0.050 mg/L
Nitrite (NO2) Good 0.012 0.000 - 0.100 mg/L
Phosphate (PO4) Good 0.05 0.000 - 0.250 mg/L
Nitrate (NO3) Good 0.9 0.000 - 25.000 mg/L
Silica (Sio2-3) High 0.7 0.000 - 0.500 mg/L
Potassium (K) High 531 350.000 - 450.000 mg/L
Ionic Calcium (Ca) Good 280 100.000 - 300.000 mg/L
Boron (B) NA NA 3.000 - 6.000 mg/L
Molybdenum (Mo) High 0.4 0.000 - 0.120 mg/L
Strontium (Sr) Good 8.4 5.000 - 12.000 mg/L
Magnesium (Mg) Good 1250 1100.000 - 1400.000 mg/L
Iodine (I) Low 0.01 0.030 - 0.090 mg/L
Copper (Cu) High 0.06 0.000 - 0.030 mg/L
Alkalinity (meq/L) Low 2.2 2.500 - 5.000 meq/L
Total Calcium (Ca) Good 440 350.000 - 450.000 mg/L
Iron (Fe) NA NA 0.000 - 0.010 mg/L

 

[bertoni]

If the number is correct, the level is rather high, and likely unsafe. Do you use tap water? If not, I'm not sure how the copper got into the tank. Online testing companies have been problematic in the past, though.

You could try a PolyFilter. It will turn blue in the presence of copper.

 

[dg3147]

I use RO/DI, so I have no idea. Though, my filters were a year old when I filled my tank. I just changed my filters, so maybe if i do 100% water change over the next 2 weeks and run a poly filter, do i think i could get rid of the Cu? Is salifert test reliable at these levels?

 

[bertoni]

I don't think a 100% water change is a good idea. The copper will go away on its own if you add some fresh carbon. Some CupraSorb might help as well.

There's no test kit that's going to be very accurate at those levels. I don't particularly believe the water testing service, though, either. They often give garbage numbers. I'd try the PolyFilter. I suspect it won't turn blue, in which case the number you got is garbage. If it does, CupraSorb will be better than water changes.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

+1 on poly filter and carbon, or purigen/cuprasorb. dont do any more than a 25% water change. wait a week and do it again. where do you think it came from? id check all power cords in the tank.