Copper readable in hanna checker!

Marc2952 · Feb 21, 2020

For the last month ive noticed that my corals are very unhappy and even lost some, i decided to do some tests and found out that i have 0.08 copper on my hanna but idk why. I constantly run carbon on my tank, is there any other way to remove it?

windemerejack · Feb 21, 2020

Seachem CupriSorb.

Marc2952 · Feb 21, 2020

windemerejack said:
Seachem CupriSorb.

Yes i ordered it and comes tomorrow, now the question is what can be causing it. Is copper at 0.08 even that dangerous to corals?

windemerejack · Feb 21, 2020

Is your tank new or second hand?
is your rock new or second hand?
Im no expert on copper levels but I think for fish 0.10 is considered high so as far as inverts go I think its in the toxic level but maybe somebody else with more knowledge of than me will chime in.

windemerejack · Feb 21, 2020

Carbon is not that good at removing copper.
How often do you test for copper?

Marc2952 · Feb 21, 2020

No ive had my tank for 6 months now, when i first got the tank i got everything new even dry marco rocks. I started looking all over the tank and just found out that the hose clamp for the return pump is very rusted so that might be the issue. Question is though what other alternative for those hose clamps do i have? I heard the plastic ones arent too good.

Marc2952 · Feb 21, 2020

windemerejack said:
Carbon is not that good at removing copper.
How often do you test for copper?

I decided to test for copper today since i would have never thought of having that in my DT only for my QT downstairs.

Big G · Feb 21, 2020

Cuprisorb it may take a few days but you can see it changing color and knowing that it is in fact removing the copper. And you can recharge it over and over.

Crabs McJones · Feb 21, 2020

Keep in mind that hannah copper has a .05+/- variance window. So it may be as low as .03 or high as .13
I would start with checking fresh ro/di water to make sure it's not getting through your filters. Then start looking at equipment. Then additives.

windemerejack · Feb 21, 2020

I just use plastic cable ties

EmdeReef · Feb 21, 2020

Check all equipment for corrosion (heaters, pumps etc.) then check if anything near the tank may be corroding. Do you dose any trace elements? How often do you change water?

Toxicity reports vary greatly and depend on a number of factors including the type of coral, presence of other heavy metals etc. some research reports toxicity at as low as 0.01ppm and goes up all the way to 0.1ppm. I’ve often tested 5-9ppb in many salt mixes and haven’t found that to be an issue.

Bleaching and tissue recession are common signs of copper poisoning (though may indicate other causes).

windemerejack · Feb 21, 2020

Marc2952 said:
I decided to test for copper today since i would have never thought of having that in my DT only for my QT downstairs.

It may have built up over time slowly then, as said above just check everything and remove the rusted clip.

Marc2952 · Feb 21, 2020

EmdeReef said:
Check all equipment for corrosion (heaters, pumps etc.) then check if anything near the tank may be corroding. Do you dose any trace elements? How often do you change water?

Toxicity reports vary greatly and depend on a number of factors including the type of coral, presence of other heavy metals etc. some research reports toxicity at as low as 0.01ppm and goes up all the way to 0.1ppm. I’ve often tested 5-9ppb in many salt mixes and haven’t found that to be an issue.

Bleaching and tissue recession are common signs of copper poisoning (though may indicate other causes).

Havent done a water change in about a month since i was going through a dino outbreak ( i beat it so that good news) as of now i only use kalk on ATO to keep alk and Cal stable. I did check thoroughly and found out that the two metal hose clamps in my sump are getting very rusted perhaps thats the problem. Everything else seems fine from what i see. I am having issues with some of my corals bleaching and even lost a couple sps.

Marc2952 · Feb 21, 2020

windemerejack said:
It may have built up over time slowly then, as said above just check everything and remove the rusted clip.

You havent had issues with just using a zip tie to hold the hose in place? Dont want it to get lose and get water squirtint all over the floor lol

Marc2952 · Feb 21, 2020

Btw i really appreciate your help guys im new to the hobby so im just going through the learning process just want to make as little mistakes as possible.

windemerejack · Feb 21, 2020

Marc2952 said:
You havent had issues with just using a zip tie to hold the hose in place? Dont want it to get lose and get water squirtint all over the floor lol

Never, when I first put it on I heated the end to soften it and used a cable tie with a pair of pliers as tight as possible. Its still as tight 5 years later

Octo clownfish · Feb 21, 2020

I also have only used zip ties but they must be of good quality and handle being cranked on pretty firmly. I have attatched a picture of some other plastic clamps I have used with better ease of mind. Using a pair of pliers tighten them. They are difficult to remove in my experience

windemerejack · Feb 21, 2020

Octo clownfish said:
I also have only used zip ties but they must be of good quality and handle being cranked on pretty firmly. I have attatched a picture of some other plastic clamps I have used with better ease of mind. Using a pair of pliers tighten them. They are difficult to remove in my experience

Everything I have read about them is that they are very difficult to remove but if you don't have to remove them to take out your pump then they are good things to use

Marc2952 · Feb 21, 2020

windemerejack said:
Everything I have read about them is that they are very difficult to remove but if you don't have to remove them to take out your pump then they are good things to use

Think these could work?