Water test results - high copper?

griff500 · Mar 12, 2019

I don't know if the level reported is a problem? Is there a way to resolve it without large water changes?

I have no idea where that has come from - it's a new tank, started a few weeks ago with ATI Absolute Ocean and fresh RO that hasn't produced any Copper readings. I've no idea where the Copper could have come from. Something in the sand maybe (Red Sea live sand)?

The return pump has an anti-vibration part fitted with V4A stainless steel rings - that shouldn't cause issues but I'll be removing it once I have the manifold built as it was only designed to be temporary.

Thoughts on the results and the Copper in particular?

Big G · Mar 12, 2019

Could run Cuprisorb in a HOB for a few days, watch the pad for color changes, and then retest.

Abdullah Al Faruq · Mar 13, 2019

It could be oozing out of the rocks

2una · Mar 13, 2019

Zinc with it as well......no brass fittings/solenoids?
Was the RO one clean of both?

dansreef · Mar 13, 2019

Was the tank used...or any equipment? Where did you get the rock? I have seen people have problems with rock that was once used in a fish only tank... where copper was used. Even after extensive cleanup of the rock, it leached copper. Do as Big G suggests and see what happens.

griff500 · Mar 14, 2019

dansreef said:
Was the tank used...or any equipment? Where did you get the rock? I have seen people have problems with rock that was once used in a fish only tank... where copper was used. Even after extensive cleanup of the rock, it leached copper. Do as Big G suggests and see what happens.

New equipment in a new tank. No brass fittings. The rock was live rock from a system that has not been used for copper treatment - absolutely certain of that.

I've put a polypad in and I've got Cuprisorb on it's way.

The RO test came back and showed copper as well (the RO is stored in a part of the sump). The RO test was fine apart from 0.49 µg/l Lithium, 1339 µg/l Silicon and 1.21 µg/l Copper. No Zinc detected. I guess the Copper in the tank water must have come from the RO. TDS had crept up to 2 and since sending off the test I replaced everything on the RODI (I also always run double DI).

I'll use some Cuprisorb and also see if there is any colour change on the polypad and then send off another water test.

Abdullah Al Faruq · Mar 16, 2019

I would continue absorbing copper till it reaches zero. After that, without any w/c, would test through a couple of weeks to determine whether the claim of the rock-source is true or atleast, that copper isn't coming from the outside (since RO systems don't include any copper part).

griff500 · Mar 16, 2019

The water pipe to the RO unit is copper. It’s not the rock.

Abdullah Al Faruq · Mar 16, 2019

griff500 said:
The water pipe to the RO unit is copper. It’s not the rock.

Ommmy...why would you do that? You know copper is poison for the system.

Dkeller_nc · Mar 16, 2019

G

Anupam said:
Ommmy...why would you do that? You know copper is poison for the system.

Generally speaking, the water pipes into households in established cities/subdivisions are copper or galvanized steel (unless they're actually lead!). Only the very newest subdivisions would have pex or another type of plastic.

griff500 · Mar 17, 2019

Dkeller_nc said:
G

Generally speaking, the water pipes into households in established cities/subdivisions are copper or galvanized steel (unless they're actually lead!). Only the very newest subdivisions would have pex or another type of plastic.

Correct.

No tests over the last few years have shown any copper from the same water source.

Dkeller_nc · Mar 17, 2019

Yep. Copper in plumbing isn't an issue, that's because water treatment plants keep the pH in the >8 range, and if the source water is high in chlorides, they add lime as an anti-corrosion agent. A brand new copper line may in fact leach a little copper over the first few months after installation, but a layer of carbonates/sulfates rapidly coats the interior surface, preventing any further corrosion.

This was the actual issue in Flint, MI. It wasn't that lead piping is unsafe; it isn't. The problem was that the municipal water authority switched to the Flint River as their primary water source, which was high in chlorides. Then they refused to add the necessary anti-corrosion agents to the treated water because of cost considerations. The result was a rapid removal of the interior layer of carbonates/sulfates on the inside of the lead pipes, followed by corrosion of the actual pipe material, leading to lead-contaminated drinking water.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 17, 2019

I don’t think the level in the ro water is a big problem at 1 ppb, but it is likely worth changing the di resin. Is it reading 0 ppm tds?

griff500 · Mar 17, 2019

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I don’t think the level in the ro water is a big problem at 1 ppb, but it is likely worth changing the di resin. Is it reading 0 ppm tds?

Hi Randy,

I hope all is going well for you.

I'm glad to know the level isn't something to be worried about.

I did change everything in my RODI unit just after sending off the test and the TDS had crept up to 2 (I usually change it the moment it moves from zero) and I run two DI cartridges.

I'll be sending off another test shortly. I put a polypad in a few days ago and there has been zero colour change. I put some Cuprisorb as well just in case.