Activate Charcoal & Water Softener System . . .

[HenryC]

Will the LaMotte test kit be accurate enough for you to determine if the AC is lowering the copper to safe levels? You mentioned the test kit measured down to 0.05ppm. That is 50ppb. I had thought we wanted the copper level down in the single digit ppb level. Can somebody remind us what the safe copper level is for Koi?

[KoiCop]

Quote: Originally Posted by HenryC Can somebody remind us what the safe copper level is for Koi?

Good questions, Henry.

Hopefully, someone has the answers?

[Auntiesue]

It is my understanding that even at very low levels, copper may not "kill" but compromises the immune system causing cronic health issues.

[bekko]

It depends on how ionized the copper is (CU, CU+, CU++). It also depends on the alkalinity of the water. At high alkalinity or high pH copper is much less toxic. They put copper sulfate in our fish feed as a necessary trace element. At much higher doses, that same copper sulfate is a piscicide. Then they deliver our water through copper pipes. It is pretty hard to predict.

Don, did the techie say what form the copper would be in? If it is a precipitate containing bound copper there is not much chance it would hurt - especially with your water. If it is highly ionized copper which is looking for a reaction site then there is more potential for harm.

-steve

[KoiCop]

Steve . . .

No, we didn't get into those issues 'cause I was too ignorant to raise them.

I'll try it again, and this time I'll be a little better armed -- thanks to you.

[Auntiesue]

I also am a bit ignorant on this topic as luckily I don't have to deal with it in my tap water. But to try to keep better informed, is there a way to know the difference?

[bekko]

The test kits measure free dissolved copper (both Cu+ and Cu++). If you can measure it with the test kit, then you probably need to worry about it. They have demonstrated toxic effects at 30 ppb so Henry's suggestion of keeping copper at single-digit parts per billion is probably a good idea.

Bits and pieces of the KDF media and precipitates containing copper will not stay in the water column for long so they will not show up in the test kit results. Copper ions also have an affinity for organic debris and will quickly stick to any piece of gunk that it comes into contact with. Therefore, much of the copper will be found within the solid waste and, in a really clean system, it will be discharged with the solid waste. But, if there are mulm accumulations there could be pockets where conditions are acidic enough to dissolve the precipitate and release free copper. I believe ammonia will also disassociate some copper compounds. If the fish or fish keeper stirs up these acidic sediment deposits there could be a sudden release of free dissolved copper to the overlying water.

-s

[jnorth]

Acceptable levels of copper and zinc:
Copper less then .006 ppm
Zinc less then .005 ppm

[Nancy M.]

Don how is the PH doing?

[KoiCop]

Steve and Jim . . .

Thanks for that info. I will definitely followup with the KDF lab rats.

Nancy . . .

Put all that AC & WS on hold until your hubby and his crew finish installing the Cetus and Clarity units. It's a zoo back there!