Have copper in DT with sand and rock. Desperately need inverts.

phillyb614

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Hello everyone,

So, my 90 gallon tank, which is about 4 months old, currently has copper in it. I found the source of the copper leaching into the water and removed it about a month ago. Immediately after removing it, I began running CupriSorb and checking the levels with a Hanna checker. The levels have been slowly going down. I tested yesterday and it was at .11 ppm. The 4 fish in the tank are doing very well. The problem is, I desperately need a CUC. I am very aware that mixing copper and inverts are a big no no. The tank has plenty of rock and sand. I did see on a BRS video that even after copper tests at 0, to continue to run CupriSorb for another 2 weeks to remove any copper that would leach out of the rock/sand.

My question is, after the the copper tests at 0, would it be safe to give the inverts a try? Or not safe until the 2 weeks after? Have a feeling I already know the answer, but thought I’d see if anyone could shed some light. Desperately want the CUC to get to work on the tank, but certainly don’t want to sacrifice by being careless. Thanks in advance.
 
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phillyb614

phillyb614

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Still too high to be safe. Is the level still dropping or do you need to replace the cuprisorb?
Thanks for taking the time to answer. I do know it is currently too high. Wasn’t planning to even consider it until it was at 0 ppm. Question is, should I worry about the copper leaching out of the rocks after I get it down to 0?

To answer your question, yes, it is dropping. I’ve already replaced the CupriSorb once.
 

dwest

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To add to this difficulty, the Hanna checker is great for measuring normal treatment levels of copper. But I don’t think it has the resolution to read zero ppm copper. If I remember correctly it will read down to about 0.04 ppm. Below that, I think it’s somewhat unreliable.

But either way, if it were my tank, I’d would use cuprisorb aggressively for at least 2 weeks after copper is “gone” from the water (or long as I could stand it), then do a water change, then test with a few snails.
 
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phillyb614

phillyb614

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To add to this difficulty, the Hanna checker is great for measuring normal treatment levels of copper. But I don’t think it has the resolution to read zero ppm copper. If I remember correctly it will read down to about 0.04 ppm. Below that, I think it’s somewhat unreliable.

But either way, if it were my tank, I’d would use cuprisorb aggressively for at least 2 weeks after copper is “gone” from the water (or long as I could stand it), then do a water change, then test with a few snails.
Interesting. Learn something new everyday lol! Appreciate the heads up on the Hanna. Never knew that about it. Thanks for the advice!
 

Fishfreak2009

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I'd add that snails are a better test invert than hermits. I've had blueleg and zebra hermits survive full strength cupramine 0.5mg/L for 30 days... nothing else but those and copepods/amphipods survived it, but they took it like champs. Missed them in the tank when I removed the inverts to treat.
 

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