Copper pipes

hamdogg08

I was just wondering if someone could give me the lowdown on copper pipes. If you have copper pipes, it kills any corals you put in there, but not the fish,right? If you use an RO unit, does it make the water safe for everyone? Also, how bad is copper? I noticed we have copper pipes going to our shower head which I use to fill up my freshwater/future reef tank. Does this mean that I'm doomed and will never enjoy corals in that tank ever?

usmc121581

I would say so. with cooper pipes you are getting trace amounts of copper in your water. Cant you use a different source for your water.

musho3210

why dont you buy R/O or DI water from your lfs or something, no copper, made for most salt mixes, works with corals, less phosphates which means less bad algae. The only downside is the price

usmc121581

Thats what I do. But I buy mine from walmart.

hamdogg08

Would an RO unit take care of the copper, or is the water totally useless after it has gone through copper pipes? Also, since I have water from copper pipes in my freshwater tank, does that mean that the tank is shot for use as a reef tank?

usmc121581

I wouldnt trust the water even after the Ro unit thats just me. As for the tank no its not shot for a salty.

hamdogg08

Would I be able to have a FOWLR tank with the copper pipes with R/O unit?

usmc121581

I mean I would believe a Ro unit would remove trace amounts of copper, but I put to much money into my tank to risk that. But it would be safe I would imagine also it will help control your ick problems if it was ever to happen.

musho3210

may we ask you now is there any copper water in the tank, most of the time copper gets into live rock, gravel, ornaments, silicone and stuff and will leak out forever making it virtually impossible to remove

hamdogg08

Yeah, there's copper water in it right now, but I plan on getting a new filter, live rock, skimmer...(it's freshwater right now and I only plan on keeping the tank and the stand that it's sitting on for the reef tank)
..oh and it's a 75 gallon glass