copper reef safe?

[robszar]

I have a mag 7 return pump, i want to change the 1/2 output to 3/4. I have a copper adapter (I think it's copper)

is copper safe?

[SanFranTodd]

No. Never. EVER.

[SanFranTodd]

(you can usually find the same version of adapter made out of plastic at a home depot or other hardware store, usually on the same wall as the copper ones in little plastic baggies)

[AcroSteve]

Don't use it anywhere there is saltwater

[robszar]

oh snap I've been using it for a week!

[robszar]

I put in a new sump and a bunch of PVC last week so I thoughts thats why everything looks like crap, not even the shrooms will open up. I guess it was that little copper adapter on the return pump. just took it out and bout to do a water change, anything else I could do?

[salty joe]

Carbon might help.

[robszar]

good call. just put it in..

only had a few sps frags, there all bleached. the lps, zoas, and softies look like they will come back.. i hope

thanks for the input.

[sac-bobme]

copper is not reef safe, it kills just about every thing.

You ever see like on liveaquaria.com/ has 0 tolerance for copper meds?
its the same thing.

VERY BAD IDEA

[robszar]

are you saying there is some type if med to remove copper?

[sac-bobme]

........

No i am saying if copper meds are bad, then why would some one stick copper in their tank, its the same base.

Coppers kills all invert very fast! not a great idea to stick in or near a reef tank.

Carbon might help, but really you prb just destroyed your tank.
If it all dies, then you will need to remove every thing, and get new sand, and rocks and clean your pumps etc really good.

I hope you didn't crash your tank with copper for your sake, when a .27 cent item from homedepot / lowes was all you needed.

[mavgi]

Originally posted by robszar
are you saying there is some type if med to remove copper?

you can run polyfilter in your sump and it will remove any cooper if you have it in the system .
you can also look on this color indicator"


"True color changes indicating filter function and replacement timing, i.e., blue - copper; red = iron; green = free copper ions; brown = normal organic loading; and black = heavy organic loading."

this is the best polyfilter :

[aninjaatemyshoe]

Seachem has a product called Cuprisorb. I would run that as it is specifically designed to remove copper. Just place it in your filtration like you would activated carbon. Also, I would buy a copper test kit and periodically check the copper levels to make sure you get rid of it all (although I would suggest keeping it in your filter for long after the test reads zero copper). Hopefully your problem goes away, although your inverts quite possibly are toast.

[AcroSteve]

Get polyfilter ASAP

[kgross]

I agree with AcroSteve, get a few polyfilters ASAP. You should be fine long term, but I would suggest keeping a good polyfilter in your system from now on. The problem with copper is that it will precipate out of solution and coat stuff in your tank. Then if the PH drops it can be redesolved and cause problems again. But in my experiance if you keep a poly filter in the system any copper that gets re-released will get adsobed before it causes any harm.

Kim

[Kentanner11]

Wow, there are so many little no. no's about reef keeping !

[robszar]

i have 2 Chemipure's in the 75g now, did a 20gallon water change today, and plan to do a 20g change ever other day.. the fish are fine it's just the corals... I will pick up those polyfilters tomorrow...

[Slakker]

Most fish can tolerate copper, which is what makes it an effective treatment against various parasites. Kills the parasites without killing the fish.

I hate to say it, but I wouldn't expect much in the way of recovery from your corals after a week of being exposed to rising copper levels...some of your hardier specimens may pull through, but I wouldn't expect too much.

[AcroSteve]

Originally posted by Kentanner11
Wow, there are so many little no. no's about reef keeping !

Ah, copper is a big one.