Copper

MightyMouse85 · Feb 7, 2019

My tank is 2 years old 360 gallon acrylic that I bought new. I have tried many kinds of macro algae in my refugium that have all died. Most of my fish died. All I have left is my bamboo shark, magnificent foxface, and blonde naso. Any coral i put in my tank only lasts a couple weeks and even tried a small frag of sps that died in 2 days. I couldn't figure out why things keep dying and when I set up this tank I bought everything new.
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 50
Phosphate .03
Salinity 1.025
Calcium 520
Ph 8.2
Took water sample to lfs and they double checked these to and decided to look for copper just in case and that showed up as .103 I have no idea how is showed up in my tank. What are my options? I am doing a water change today. Is there anything I can do to remove this and any other possible metals? I was told this could be why my corals and cheato doesn't grow in my tank.

CJS80 · Feb 7, 2019

You can do water changes and try this. https://www.marinedepot.com/Seachem..._Filter_Media-Seachem-SC3271-FIFMCHCR-vi.html
The first thing you need to do is find the source. Test RODI to make sure it isn't from that, and check for stray voltage in tank. Some people have had their heater start leaking bleeding copper in the tank.

Dr. Reef · Feb 7, 2019

agree above. first find the source.
it will be either in water or equipment failure. 3rd rare case will be copper pipes running through the house in or around or above the tank dripping/leaking. If all this checks out normal and there is no source then maybe the saltmix or medications used earlier etc?
if there is no copper source found in any of the thing i mentioned above then its an isolated case where somehow copper got in the tank.
To remove it run poly filter, carbon and copper absorbing media like cupramine. once poly filter stops registering copper your tank will be normal again.

MightyMouse85 · Feb 7, 2019

Thanks for the quick response. Found no stray voltage and will double check my heaters when I do the water change.

SteveC · Feb 8, 2019

Check any pump impellers for damage to the magnet sheathing. The magnets usually have copper content.
Look for splits, you will see corrosion if it has failed.

vetteguy53081 · Feb 9, 2019

I see calcium and nitrate quite high. These need to come down gradually and best done via water changes. You have very tittle consuming the calcium. Salinity can go to 1.026 and temp should be at or slightly below 79 deg.
To reduce copper, utilize lab grade carbon via reactor or filter bag in the path of water flow via sump

MightyMouse85 · Feb 11, 2019

Calcium stays there. Never dose it. I use red sea pro. Water stays at 1.025 and at 77.3-77.8
Correct me if I'm wrong but carbon will do nothing for the metals or anything else off in my tank.

SteveC · Feb 11, 2019

Your corrected.

ckalupa · Feb 12, 2019

Cuprisorb media does a pretty effective job at pulling copper out.

MightyMouse85 · Feb 12, 2019

It comes in tomorrow. Told my lfs size tank I had and they ordered small packs and if I bought it all it would have cost me more and treated 240 when I need 380-400 worth