Copper detected in my Reef Tank Need Advice

[David S]

So I sent in my water to be tested by Triton this past Monday.
Was surprised to see I got my results back, already.
(Are they now testing in US?)
This is the first Triton test I've done since 10/5/2017. In the interim, I did a testing with ATI.
At the time,the main concern was high Lithium from the previous Triton tests, which were not confirmed by the ATI test.
The current test still shows a high LI level, although less than previously tested.
However, my main concern was when scrolling through the heavy metals and I saw CU concentration of 3.89 ug/l.
Routinely, I have had virtually undetectable levels of ALL heavy metals testing with ATI or Triton so this is quite a concern.
I have no idea as to where the Copper is coming from.
I can tell you that all corals and inverts seem OK.
Ironically, I just received a Clean Up Crew this Friday and the Astreas seem fine although most of the Dwarf Ceriths appear to be in the sand bed.

So I need to know the way to proceed.
Basically I want to reduce the cooper, but more importantly I want to determine the cause.
Obviously, I did not knowingly introduce any copper. I am wondering, since I use 2 part epoxy to seal off my never ending Vermetid snail infestation. I've been using a liberal amount of D-D Aquarium Epoxy. Could the epoxy have significant amounts of copper?
As far as reduction of the Copper. I'm thinking about using a Poly Filter.
Any drawbacks?
Also any reliable testing kits?

BTW Triton's analysis indicated that the level was not "dangerous" at this point but suggested I check the following:
Contaminated Trace Elements - haven't been dosing Trace elements
Bio- Pellets - Don't Use
Contaminated salts - Have no way of knowing. I've been using Tropic Marin Pro for over 5 months now. However, I submitted an ATI test on 12/12/17 and there was no detectable Copper. I had been using Tropic Marin for well over a month.
Contaminated Food - Been using the same food sources for the last several years. (Have begun doing some Reefroids and yeast occasionally).
Corroding metals or Magnets in the water. Clean my pumps regularly. No visible signs.

Any help is greatly appreciatted

David

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm not sure that level is a problem as I have had levels above that when nothing appeared amiss, but lowering it is a fine plan. No kit can accurately detect levels this low.

A polyfilter, cuprisorb or metasorb are all fine choices.

Epoxy should not be a source.

 

[David S]

Thanks Randy
You've taken a bit of a load off my mind.
I guess when anyone sends in samples to be tested on a regular basis. they will eventually see certain temporary anomalies.
I will discuss with my LFS as to which may be the best treatment.

BTW as good a time as any to highlight the current results and compare:

While the Lithium came down it is still relatively high (1200 ug/l) compared to about 3500 ug/l from the Triton test in November.
The ATI test done in December showed only 200.
You were somewhat skeptical of one of the tests, since as you had pointed out, I had not replaced anywhere near the amount of water for it the LI to have come down that much, assuming the Triton result was accurate.
This may give some credence to the Triton test, although I have, by now, more than replaced my IO water with Tropic Marin.
I am wondering if the Seachem products I used were causing the high LI. And, Oh yes, since switching to Tropic Marin I haven't had any need to dose my Alkalinity or Calcium with Seachem. Kalk and occasional ESV 2 part is all I need.

Following elements came back high. Calcium 500 mg/l , K 500 mg/l and MG 1600 mg/l.
I intentionally dose K & MG but do not need to keep them that high. My test kits indicated 450 for K (Salifert) 1300+ to 1400+ for MG (for Salifert & Red Sea respectively) and CA 400 to 450 (Red Sea & Salifert).
My experience has been both with ATI and Triton that the test results are higher than what the hobby test kits suggest.

As a matter of fact, I was told by someone who at his request will go nameless, but is nevertheless knowledgeable in the area, indicated that Hobbyist test kits for MG are, to put it gently, inaccurate.

The one other element that I dose is Strontium (don't test for it) and it came back slightly elevated at 9.5 mg/l. I actually use Kent Marine which includes Molybdenum and that came back undetectable. I guess if I ever consider dosing it, I will use a dedicated supplement.

Finally, Iodine which was elevated last time (250 ug/l) is actually slightly low (53 ug/l) now.