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From The Aquarium Wiki

Copper (Cu) is an essential nutrient to all higher plants and animals. In animals, it is found primarily in the bloodstream, as a cofactor in various enzymes, and in copper-based pigments. In sufficient amounts, copper can be poisonous or even fatal to all organisms.

The level of free Copper in water that can kill varies enormously across species. Small invertebrates like Shrimps or snails only require a tiny amount.

Copper is used extensively in the electronic industry to route electricity and so bare copper wire should never been added to the Aquarium. Especially if the ph of the water is below 7.

Care should be taken when adding Stones or Rock you've collected yourself as it may contain Copper ore. Never add ornaments with Copper in them.

• Copper is often present in tap water due to the common use of copper pipes (especially in old houses (say pre1970s). To reduce levels of dissolved copper, run the water for 2-5 minutes before collecting it for use in your aquarium.

• Poly-filter foam can be used to remove Copper from water. The foam will turn green if it has absorbed copper.
• Rid*Metals by Kordon claims to remove heavy metals like Copper.
• Activated Carbon is said to be limited and slow to remove Copper.

Copper is used in anti-fungus/bacteria/snail treatments (typically Copper sulphate), so if you have freshwater shrimps in your tank, great care should be taken to prevent the copper in these treatments killing them.

Water conditioners can render this metal harmless by making the metal chelated. Chelated Copper is only 1% as toxic as non-chelated (free) Copper.

• Dangerous level of Copper for Shrimps is 0.03mg per litre.
• Dangerous level of Copper for Algae and bacteria is 0.08mg per litre.
• Dangerous level of Copper for Fish, snails and plants is 0.10mg per litre.

• You can buy Copper test kits for good aquarium shops.

[edit] Links

• Copper on Wikipedia