Cooper Levels through the Roof ?

[David S]

Just received my ICP results from ICP-Analysis.com.

It indicated that I have 0.224 PPM of Cu in my tank.

This compares with a result I obtained in April from Triton Labs of 3,994 ug/l.
As advised by Randy, I placed some poly filter in my Refugium for a few weeks to help eliminate the Copper but I took the poly filter out awhile ago.

Here is the issue if the 3,994 is an accurate number I'm probably OK as that would be an indication that my CU level came down from April. However I'm a bit skeptical of the result I received from Triton because when it showed the difference between the result and the set point (in this case 0.1 ug/l) it shows a deviation of 3.89 ug/l which would suggest the actual CU might be 3.994 ug/l.
If that is the case, I have a large amount of CU in my tank.

I have added a poly filter.
Any idea where the cooper may be coming from?
In spite of the Copper my tank is looking great. Calm before the storm?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Are you using ro/di water and if so when were the filters last changed out?

 

[David S]

Are you using ro/di water and if so when were the filters last changed out?

Yes I use a BRS RO/DI unit and my most recent use (2 weeks ago) indicated Zero TDS

 

[Crabs McJones]

Yes I use a BRS RO/DI unit and my most recent use (2 weeks ago) indicated Zero TDS

I would start looking at equipment in the tank then. Make sure nothing is leeching out heavy metals. And make sure to check all over that something didnt accidentally get knocked into the tank.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

To clarify, was the Triton result 3,994 ug/l (3.9 ppm, seems very unlikely) or 3.994 ug/l (0.0039 ppm, which is much lower than the current reading).

Also, I do not have confidence in icp analysis dot com.

 

[David S]

OK Randy
I was about to download the Triton results and on the PDF file it clearly indicates 3.99 ug/l of CU, unlike on their home page where it showed as "3,994)
The ICP-Analysis shows .224 PPM which translates to 224 ug/l.

Like I said, placed some Poly filter in the return of my HOB fuge. Will probably test with Triton in the near future. How long should I wait?
Also is Cuprisorb better? Can it be used in tandem with the poly filter?

Crabs - Thanks for your input
Not aware of anything that entered the tank. Have two MP 10's and recently added a Icecap 1K but I doubt that's an issue.
Have a relatively new Sicce pump, which I've been using to run my Refugium, AFTER the first detection of CU back in late April.

Also use two Hydor mini pumps GPH 100 (formerly Evolution 400) to run my Phosban reactor (running Rowaphos) and my Protein Skimmer for years.
Time to replace?

Also as far as the inverts in my tank.
Knock on wood they appear to be fine. They include:
Several Astreas, and Cerith Snails, several red legged hermits, a brittle star fish and many Asterinas (unfortunately).
Also have a Derasa Clam which looks great.

 

[David S]

Just realized I have a heater as old as the hills. It's an old Penn Plax.
So I just inspected it and aside from some salt encrustation at the top and some random bits of coraline on the glass, I could detect no cracks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would be very concerned if the value (0.2 ppm copper) was real, but as I mentioned, I lack confidence in them Cuprisorb is a good way to go, and looking for metal parts as you are is good.

The Triton comma is the European way of showing a decimal. It can be very confusing.

 

[David S]

Thanks again Randy.
I will stop by my LFS tomorrow and pick up some Cuprisorb.
A few questions:
1. Is there a benefit to using the Cuprisorb with the Poly Filter or should I just use the Cuprisorb?

2. How much Cuprisorb should I use? My tank volume is about 38 gallons.

3. How long should I wait before submitting a follow up test to Triton?

Thanks
David

PS If there is some metal part leeching CU in my tank, it would be difficult to find as I have a full tank with a lot of rock and a DSB

 

[David S]

So based on the supposed high levels of CU in my tank it would presumably be measurable by a conventional test kit.
What I propose to do is test my tank water, obviously, but also check the RODI water that is stored in my 2.5 gallon jugs.
I bought these about 5 months ago at Uline. They are HDPE and I thought they were safe.
Probably coincidental but the precense of CU started at the time I began using them.
I will also test the RODI water stored in my old 1 gallon jugs.
These I'd used for years and I know is not a source of any contamination.

David

 

[David S]

Went to my LFS earlier today.
I tested my Tank Water, as well as, the prepared water for a water change with a Salifert Test Kit.
Based on the .224 PPM of CU reported by ICP-Analysis, The Salifert Kit would have shown an easily discernible color for .25 PPM.
It seemed that there was a light blue tinge to the tank water sample as opposed to the 'fresh' sample but it was difficult to judge in the dim indoor lighting of the shop.
We took the samples outside in daylight and there seemed to be no blue in either sample or a difference between the samples. I'm assuming if the ICP results were accurate it would be an indication that the polyfilter is pulling out the copper.
I purchased the Salifert test kit and after doing a 10% water change I tested for CU again.
This time my wife and I reviewed the results independently in available light and by a sunlit window. In all cases we could not detect a trace of blue.

The LFS did not have Cuprisorb but they ordered it and I should get it by Wednesday.

So I'm happy that the Copper level is declining (assuming it was high to begin with). But I am assuming that since my previous test with Triton also showed the presence of CU, there is some contamination going on.
As my Hydor mini pumps are old, I will try testing them individually.
My 2.5 gallon jugs have a spout wide enough that I can place the mini pump in it. I propose to place a small amount of water in one of the jugs and run the pump for several days and then take readings.
May also place my heater in there, as well.
Still wondering about the protocol (how long to wait before submitting, should I remove the Poly filter/Cuprisorb etc) for sending my next sample to Triton

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, I don’t see a synergy to using both cuprisorb and a polyfilter over more of one of them. But both are fine separately or together.

 

[siggy]

I was wondering if children are around and put a penny in the tank. Good luck

 

[David S]

FWIW, I don’t see a synergy to using both cuprisorb and a polyfilter over more of one of them. But both are fine separately or together.

I think I'll try the Cuprisorb as it seens to turn color when it is exhausred. Hopefully it won't get to that point.

 

[David S]

I was wondering if children are around and put a penny in the tank. Good luck

No children and all my pennies are on the counter of my wall unit

 

[David S]

BTW
Looking at my ICP results more carefully, I found that there was no detectable Molybdenum - which I occasionally dose with Strontium.
The analysis did, however, detect 0.039 PPM of Uranium, which for the record I don't dose.