Copper test kits

[Humblefish]

Below is a list of the most commonly available copper products, their therapeutic ranges and compatible copper test kit(s):

• Cuprion (0.20 ppm): Seachem or Salifert copper test kit
  
• Cupramine (0.4 - 0.5 ppm): Seachem or Salifert copper test kit
• Coppersafe (1.5 - 2.0 ppm): API copper test kit
  
• Kordon Copper Aid (1.5 - 2.0 ppm): API copper test kit (Avoid this brand of copper; it's too watered down)
  
• Copper Power (1.5 - 2.0 ppm): API copper test kit

In addition to the aforementioned hobbyist grade test kits, below is a highly accurate "professional grade" test kit capable of reading all forms of copper:

Hanna High Range Copper Colorimeter (HI702): https://hannainst.com/hi702-copper-hr.html
R2R article on the HI702 here: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/coppe...truments-high-range-copper-checker-hi702.454/

Many thanks to @HotRocks for discovering this and doing all the initial experimentation. You can read about his research/experiences using the HI702 Colorimeter here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/c...instruments-high-range-copper-checker.368943/

 

[Reefahholic]

Yes indeed!

 

[Viper99ACR]

Thank you for this informative post. Lots of folks using the wrong test kits and this helps a lot.

 

[Reefahholic]

I use Chemetrics myself. Very accurate.

 

[Mjl714]

I use Chemetrics myself. Very accurate.

I find Copper testing very challenging to read. Do you find the Chemetrics easy to read? Does it accurately measure all forms (chelated and non chelated) of copper used with our fish quarantining? I'm still trying to determine which form of copper is more effective and perhaps easier to use.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Reefahholic]

 

[Reefahholic]

I find Copper testing very challenging to read. Do you find the Chemetrics easy to read? Does it accurately measure all forms (chelated and non chelated) of copper used with our fish quarantining? I'm still trying to determine which form of copper is more effective and perhaps easier to use.

Thanks in advance.

I'm not positive about all forms, but it's very accurate with Cupramine. I'm assuming it will be with all the others as well. It's super easy to read.

 

[Mjl714]

Easy to read is a great characteristic and one I look forward to. Thanks for your insight.

 

[Humblefish]

Thanks for sharing @Reefahholic

 

[Reefahholic]

Easy to read is a great characteristic and one I look forward to. Thanks for your insight.

@Mjl714 @Humblefish

No problem. Glad to help.

 

[becks]

Just out of curiosity would you say this is 0.5? I don't like colorimetric tests and always doubt myself.

 

[melypr1985]

Just out of curiosity would you say this is 0.5? I don't like colorimetric tests and always doubt myself.

not quite

 

[Reefahholic]

 

[LA Reef Addict]

@Humblefish
I have my qt ready to go and will be using coppersafe as my method of copper treatment and was wondering what you think about the hanna hi-range copper checker? Would that work also?

 

[Humblefish]

@LA Reef Addict Unfortunately, I have no experience using the Hanna Checker. But I do have some recent experience using the Chemetrics test kit and it works very well with Coppersafe:

httpss://www.chemetrics.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=392

 

[LA Reef Addict]

@LA Reef Addict Unfortunately, I have no experience using the Hanna Checker. But I do have some recent experience using the Chemetrics test kit and it works very well with Coppersafe:

httpss://www.chemetrics.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=392

Thanks. Just trying to find the "easiest" test kit. I hate trying to color match. Would rather get a digital reading. lol

 

[melypr1985]

@Humblefish
I have my qt ready to go and will be using coppersafe as my method of copper treatment and was wondering what you think about the hanna hi-range copper checker? Would that work also?

I think I remember seeing something about that checker not working on saltwater? Maybe I'm wrong on that and I checked the manual for it and it didn't specify fresh vs salt water. Hmm.. I wonder where I heard that.

 

[Hanna Instruments Verified Sponsor]

Thanks. Just trying to find the "easiest" test kit. I hate trying to color match. Would rather get a digital reading. lol

I think I remember seeing something about that checker not working on saltwater? Maybe I'm wrong on that and I checked the manual for it and it didn't specify fresh vs salt water. Hmm.. I wonder where I heard that.

@Humblefish
I have my qt ready to go and will be using coppersafe as my method of copper treatment and was wondering what you think about the hanna hi-range copper checker? Would that work also?

@LA Reef Addict Unfortunately, I have no experience using the Hanna Checker. But I do have some recent experience using the Chemetrics test kit and it works very well with Coppersafe:

httpss://www.chemetrics.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=392

Hello all, thanks for thinking of Hanna in this thread! Our HI747 Low Range Copper Test has not been tested in Seawater and accuracy is unknown if used in the reef tank. It does have a range of 0 - 999 ppb with an accuracy of ±5% of reading ± 10 ppb. The Checker uses an adaptation of the EPA method. The reaction between copper and the bicinchoninate reagent causes a purple tint in the sample, similar to the Hach test. Interference may be caused by: Silver, Cyanide. For samples overcoming buffering capacity of reagent (around pH 6.8), pH should be adjusted between 6 and 8. So theoretically a pH of greater than 8 could have an impact on results. However the reagents brings the sample pH down slightly so it might be fine we just cannot confirm at this time. We are working on testing this Checker in seawater but at this time cannot confirm the accuracy outside of freshwater.

 

[Humblefish]

@Hanna Instruments Thank you for chiming in

 

[Hanna Instruments Verified Sponsor]

@Hanna Instruments Thank you for chiming in

Anytime, we are a sponsor here so feel free to reach out with any questions directly or on our sponsor page! https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/hanna-instruments.941/