copper test kit

[xrayguy]

hi guys and gals

I was discussing my lack of sucess with rcs shrimp with my lfs guy, and he asked me to bring in a sample of my tank water.  He tested it for copper.  He said my tank water was high in copper.  

I do have copper pipes, and he believes that's the cause.  I have a 72g med/high light planted tank with co2.  My po4 is higher than I'd like(3.), and I kinda think that might be my cause, but I don't want to discount the copper thing either.  

 

So I'm wondering if the API test is the best 1 to get or is there a better version to get.  I'm about to set up a shrimp only tank ( fluval flex9) and want them to live and breed happily.  Gonna buy distilled water from the store until I can prove it's not my water.

thanx

richard

[beanbag]

Hanna low range copper test kit colorimeter, measures in parts per billion.

In the mean time, you can use Prime to help bind the copper, and there are also copper-absorbing chemicals.

Edited October 4, 2020 by beanbag

[sdlTBfanUK]

I would also be worried about using CO2 and tap water rarely works with caridina?

Is the plan to move the shrimp to their own tank? If so you probably should get RO water and remineralise with shrimp specific GH+ for the best results. For RO water you can use a Zerowater filter jug if you don't want a full RO system, which is very cheap in USA and available from Walmart, internet etc. It is slow to filter so may not be pracrical for a very large tank but if the shrimp are being moved to a smaller/new tank that should sort you out. I get about 100 litres per filter! It will remove any copper.

Simon

[xrayguy]

Yes, I'm starting a shrimp only tank.  No co2, no ferts.  

I only want to have bloody mary shrimp in flex 9.

thanx

r

[sdlTBfanUK]

This bloody RCS and CRS nonsense again, sorry, my bad, I thought you had crystal shrimp but now see you have red cherry!

The same applies though except you need GH/KH+ for red cherry/bloody mary shrimp. You can still use the zerowater to convert your tap water to RO water though and then mineralise it in the new tank! Those flex aquariums are very nice, it may need some tweeking though to ensure it is shrimplet safe, and stop them getting into the back 'workings' section! 

You can also use seachem prime with tap water, as stated by Beanbag and neocaridina are usually fine with such treated tapwater so it would be worth trying with that first, as it will be easier and cheaper than going RO + minerals route?

Simon