i made the mistake of using coppersafe in my saltwater tank and now i want to add invert i have been putting anemones and they are dying i have done at least 4 water changes of 20% each and they are still dying on me what should i do, i did a copper test and is coming up for what i can read close to 0 ppm, thanx for ur help
To remove copper from water you add iron. In simpler terms drop a nail in on the end of a bit of string. The copper in the water will bind to the nail forming copper sulphate on the surface of the nail.
The best way is to use a good copper removing filter media, combined with weekly water changes, to reduce the copper levels down to 0.05 ppm.
What is your lighting like? Anenomes need VERY high lighting, halide lighting being the ideal. Also, carbon will take the copper right out. Put some of that in your filtration.
there may not really be a way to remove all of it... depending on what typr of treatmeant you used and what brand o tank it is... there may be copper in the sealant of the tank and in the liverock... DEFINATELY run carbon for the next few months. what brand of test kit do you use? you may want buy a realiable copper test kit, elos makes a good one... if it still comes up at 0 you can add your inverts back into the tank... next time you may just want to take the fish out... it's WAY easier the elecrolysis of copper only happens if A) there are opposing ions avaible to fuse... or B) there is an actual electric charge in the water.. which means bye-bye fishies... geez schools these days.... and not to mention you want to put IRON in SALTWATER!!!!! have you never heard of rust? well let me tell you ... it has a way with killing things.... API is like the C- student of test kits... kinda like marcus and chemistry
I would use CupriSorb, as it's specifically designed to remove copper. Instead of adding anemones, I would add a few hermits or snails after your copper level is down to 0, to see if the water is truly safe for invertebrates. The API test kit is okay, but if you want to try something a little better, go with the Red Sea copper test kit. It's more precise and easier to read. Again, just be sure there is no trace of copper, as even a small amount can be lethal to anemones. And, if I may add to the banter above, rust won't harm your saltwater tank. Most phosphate removers contain some form of ferric oxide which is basically rust itself. I would still go with the CupriSorb though, as you will probably find it more effective. :) Regards
