I made a rookie mistake help!

[Fred Phipps]

I hooked up an auto top off system that was originally made to mist reptile enclosures. Noticed my coral not looking too happy a week later. I looked at it today and noticed there is a copper fitting on it.

Is there anything I can do?

 

[prsnlty]

I hooked up an auto top off system that was originally made to mist reptile enclosures. Noticed my coral not looking too happy a week later. I looked at it today and noticed there is a copper fitting on it.

Is there anything I can do?

What size tanl is it? Do you have another tank or some place to hold your coral while you do a cleanup of the dt?

 

[prsnlty]

You can also try coprisorb

 

[Sm51498]

Waterchanges, run activated carbon, maybe gfo can help, it is used to filter out metals in other applications. Odds are it is a pretty low level of copper so waterchanges and activated carbon will probably be sufficient.

 

[prsnlty]

I would also replace the water and change out all media

 

[Fred Phipps]

I do not have another tank that I can move things into at the moment. I will try coprisorb.

I've read that copper only effects the tank of it has contact with saltwater. Being that its on my ATO which only touches fresh water, do you think I'm alright? Or have I read bad information?

 

[prsnlty]

I do not have another tank that I can move things into at the moment. I will try coprisorb.

I've read that copper only effects the tank of it has contact with saltwater. Being that its on my ATO which only touches fresh water, do you think I'm alright? Or have I read bad information?

It's probably at a low level. I would get a copper test kit and double-check it it's always good to have one of those kits anyway. Change out your filter media, do some water changes and yes coprisorb is good if you're showing levels of it on a test kit

 

[Sm51498]

Your tank is fine. People way overstate the ability of silicone and rock to absorb copper. You just need to get the copper out of your water now.

 

[prsnlty]

You may not have any copper in the tank. Test 1st.

 

[jsker]

My thoughts are, the corrosion on the fitting might have a tiny amount of effect but not much. It could be a lot of things with a system that was run for a different purpose. There could be a residue of product that helped with misting or chemical build in the lines from cleaning, etc.

If you are going to keep the system in place, I would run gallons of tap water to rinse and clean the system and change the copper fitting. as far as the tank I would do several 20% water changes to clean what every is in the system out.

 

[Sm51498]

You may not have any copper in the tank. Test 1st.

Copper tests are pretty much worthless, either too high range or too inaccurate. Philosophically, I agree with you but I don't think there is a test on the market worth trusting. I say if you suspect a contaminant, treat for it. Waterchanges and GAC will not hurt and will likely help. If you want a confirmation of Cu contamination, stick some polyfilter in there and it will turn blue or green if it is copper. No need to know the level.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If you want a confirmation of Cu contamination, stick some polyfilter in there and it will turn blue or green if it is copper. No need to know the level.

Simplest way to test and cure.
The poly pad is basicly a gfo as it absorbs(binds actually) heavy metals.