BostonReefer300
Valuable Member
Did you ever check your DT water with the Hanna checker before you started using the copper absorbing media? I would think you'd be able to see a small signal at least with the Hanna if that was the problem.
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Shirak
Valuable Member
The high range Hanna copper tester is not suited for measuring the trace amounts of copper ICP indicates are in the water. Even though it measures down to 0.0ppm it has an accuracy of +- .05ppm. So anything between 0 and .05 is questionable. The DT according to ICP had .03ppm which is in the error range of the checker.
BostonReefer300
Valuable Member
Good recall! Was that on page 82 of this thread?
Shirak
Valuable Member
LolGood recall! Was that on page 82 of this thread?
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Apollo7235
Well-Known Member
Well guys, hopefully we’ll have the ICP results early Tuesday morning. I sent my last ICP off on a Monday and had the results the next Tuesday, so fingers crossed for the e-mail!
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Apollo7235
Well-Known Member
I am so embarrassed to even be posting this right now, but I think we found the issue.
Hubby plumbed the system and thinking it wouldn’t corrode and we needed it in a pinch, he used a brass fitting in the return line.
Stupid, silly me. I never even thought about it. High zinc levels in the water from the dezincification of the brass, leaving the copper inside the fitting to continuously contaminate the water.
Unbelievable. And it has taken this long and my husband to point out the brass fitting for me to realize what was wrong.
Well guys, I think it’s probably safe to say the ICP results will show the same levels of metals in the water, so I am calling @Gulf Live Rock tomorrow to see if I can place an order to come in this week. I don’t even want to play the game of trying to remove the contaminants from the rock and sand, so I think a complete rip clean reboot and PVC replumbing is in order.
Ohhhh the embarrassment. I can’t even believe myself.
Hubby plumbed the system and thinking it wouldn’t corrode and we needed it in a pinch, he used a brass fitting in the return line.
Stupid, silly me. I never even thought about it. High zinc levels in the water from the dezincification of the brass, leaving the copper inside the fitting to continuously contaminate the water.
Unbelievable. And it has taken this long and my husband to point out the brass fitting for me to realize what was wrong.
Well guys, I think it’s probably safe to say the ICP results will show the same levels of metals in the water, so I am calling @Gulf Live Rock tomorrow to see if I can place an order to come in this week. I don’t even want to play the game of trying to remove the contaminants from the rock and sand, so I think a complete rip clean reboot and PVC replumbing is in order.
Ohhhh the embarrassment. I can’t even believe myself.
Dolphins18
Valuable Member
Live and Learn, don't be embarrassed. My cat pooped in my tank and I proceeded to drink the water to "test" it. Like I said live and learn. I am glad you didn't leave the hobby.I am so embarrassed to even be posting this right now, but I think we found the issue.
Hubby plumbed the system and thinking it wouldn’t corrode and we needed it in a pinch, he used a brass fitting in the return line.
Stupid, silly me. I never even thought about it. High zinc levels in the water from the dezincification of the brass, leaving the copper inside the fitting to continuously contaminate the water.
Unbelievable. And it has taken this long and my husband to point out the brass fitting for me to realize what was wrong.
Well guys, I think it’s probably safe to say the ICP results will show the same levels of metals in the water, so I am calling @Gulf Live Rock tomorrow to see if I can place an order to come in this week. I don’t even want to play the game of trying to remove the contaminants from the rock and sand, so I think a complete rip clean reboot and PVC replumbing is in order.
Ohhhh the embarrassment. I can’t even believe myself.
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Apollo7235
Well-Known Member
I have never loved anyone so much as I love you for this comment right now, hahaha.
Thank you very much for the kind words!
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Apollo7235
Well-Known Member
150% give you credit for that! It seriously wouldn’t have clicked with me unless you had brought it up, so seriously, thank you!!!
Shirak
Valuable Member
Most welcome! Glad you didn't throw in the towel and I can't wait to see where your tank goes from here!
BostonReefer300
Valuable Member
I don't know what to say about this----except yuck!
BostonReefer300
Valuable Member
That is undoubtedly it! What a relief to finally have found the solution to this big puzzle! Congrats to you and all who helped! Regarding getting rid of all your rock and sand, I'm not so sure you need to do that if cost is a concern. I would think that a thorough job of rinsing would get rid of all but minute traces of copper. Of course, for peace of mind, you're probably better off just starting fresh. Oh well, the silver lining in all this is that you can blame your husband for everything!I am so embarrassed to even be posting this right now, but I think we found the issue.
Hubby plumbed the system and thinking it wouldn’t corrode and we needed it in a pinch, he used a brass fitting in the return line.
Stupid, silly me. I never even thought about it. High zinc levels in the water from the dezincification of the brass, leaving the copper inside the fitting to continuously contaminate the water.
Unbelievable. And it has taken this long and my husband to point out the brass fitting for me to realize what was wrong.
Well guys, I think it’s probably safe to say the ICP results will show the same levels of metals in the water, so I am calling @Gulf Live Rock tomorrow to see if I can place an order to come in this week. I don’t even want to play the game of trying to remove the contaminants from the rock and sand, so I think a complete rip clean reboot and PVC replumbing is in order.
Ohhhh the embarrassment. I can’t even believe myself.
((FORDTECH))
2500 Club Member
Been following this thread for awhile to see what happens I’m so glad you finally figured it out.
Weasel1960
Valuable Member
OUTSTANDING!!! I would probably shy away from standard hose clamps as well the have a tendency to rust after awhile. Consider ratchet clamps from BRS or other supply source.
PS glad you didnt quit and look forward to a new build thread.
www.bulkreefsupply.com
PS glad you didnt quit and look forward to a new build thread.
Ratchet Clamp for Braided Vinyl Tubing
Ratchet clamps are perfect to secure Braided Vinyl tubing to barbed fittings. If you are using silicone or traditional thin wall tubing we highly suggest measuring the outside diameter of the tubing you will be working with to select the correct ratchet clamp. Choose from ratchet clamps for the...
www.bulkreefsupply.com
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Apollo7235
Well-Known Member
Thank you, I do too!
I am just excited to rebuild with live rock and live sand. I am sure they’ll come with plenty of hitch hikers, but at least they’ll give me something more fun to do than constant water testing and troubleshooting!
I am going to go ahead and post a meeting build thread after I receive my ICP results hopefully tomorrow. I’ll link it here. I think that will finally give me some closure! Haha
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Apollo7235
Well-Known Member
It’s so funny that you say that because even though I would never blame him, I think he feels guilty for all of my agonizing over this tank when he bought it for me to enjoy, so when I told him I was buying the new live rock and sand, he just kind of nodded and agreed, hahahahaha
Definitely going for the peace of mind at this point. I am so over all of the nonsense this dang little fitting has caused. We live about an hour to 2 hours from the Gulf, so sourcing the rock here should be pretty easy. We’ll see what they say when I call them, though.
You were also one of the people that helped me through this, so thank you as well!!
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Apollo7235
Well-Known Member
Thank you!! I will definitely look into these clamps as well, I am sure at this point, we will probably go 100% rigid PVC just to be safe, but if we keep any kind of flexible tubing, we will definitely use those clamps.OUTSTANDING!!! I would probably shy away from standard hose clamps as well the have a tendency to rust after awhile. Consider ratchet clamps from BRS or other supply source.
PS glad you didnt quit and look forward to a new build thread.
Ratchet Clamp for Braided Vinyl Tubing
Ratchet clamps are perfect to secure Braided Vinyl tubing to barbed fittings. If you are using silicone or traditional thin wall tubing we highly suggest measuring the outside diameter of the tubing you will be working with to select the correct ratchet clamp. Choose from ratchet clamps for the...
Thank you so much for all of your kind advice and support!!
I will link the new thread here! Haha taking ideas for new names for my nightmare tank, currently!
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Apollo7235
Well-Known Member
Thank you!! And thank you again for all of the kind words and support!YAY!!! Hurray!!! Sooooo glad you were able to find the reason for the copper. You stuck with this a lot longer than I probably would have.
I couldn’t have made it through this without all of you talking me through it.
I sincerely appreciate all of you!
