Is Copper Citrate safe for reef tanks?

[DxMarinefish]

Hi,

Just wondering whether Copper Citrate is safe for a reef tank.
Some products have this type of Copper (Citrate) as by products but only detectable using non-home test kits.

Can this Copper Citrate then accumulate overtime and become a problem?

Or is Copper Citrate not the same as the other copper types like:

-Copper sulfate
-Chelated copper


Thanks
Dx

 

[rkpetersen]

Copper citrate is just ionic copper when dissolved in water; the citrate ion is separate and gets metabolized.
Ionic copper is what's in parasite treatment products like Cupramine at relatively high concentration.
When copper is included in reef trace elements supplements, it's in very tiny amounts and won't cause problems when used as directed.
For example, Seachem Reef Trace has copper. I've been using it for a couple years. I find adding trace elements is necessary to keep my chaeto happy.
Nonetheless, ICPOES testing never shows any detectable copper circulating in my water.
Presumably the tiny amounts added are diluted and/or adsorbed so much that it becomes undetectable.

 

[DxMarinefish]

Copper citrate is just ionic copper when dissolved in water; the citrate ion is separate and gets metabolized.
Ionic copper is what's in parasite treatment products like Cupramine at relatively high concentration.
When copper is included in reef trace elements supplements, it's in very tiny amounts and won't cause problems when used as directed.
For example, Seachem Reef Trace has copper. I've been using it for a couple years. I find adding trace elements is necessary to keep my chaeto happy.
Nonetheless, ICPOES testing never shows any detectable copper circulating in my water.
Presumably the tiny amounts added are diluted and/or adsorbed so much that it becomes undetectable.

Many thanks for your explanation, it has helped keep my mind a rest .