Copper will oxidize, though slowly, and the oxide will enter the water. It
is very toxic once it reaches a certain concentration. When I started with
aquaria about 30 years ago, the only cure for many of the parasites was to
put copper pennies in the water, and when the fish started to roll, do a
major water change. If it almost killed the fish, it probably killed the
parasites.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html


"BenignVanilla" wrote in message
...
I just replumbed my entire house with copper, and I have some left over. I
am thinking about building a DIY filter for my aquarium, just for fun. Any
thoughts on the safety of using copper in an aquaria environment? I figure
it safe for us to drink, it should be safe in the tank or pond for that
matter.

Any thoughts?

BV.
www.iheartmypond.com

That's true, but I can treat for that, and the treatments are readily
available. I have never seen DeCopper anywhere. LOL.

I know Mardel makes a form of chelated (sp?) copper called CopperSafe, for killing
protozoans, flukes, and other parasites. I do know copper is harmful to invertebrates.

I would think that it might possibly cause problems farther down the road, since you would
not have a way of controlling the amount that was being added to the water.

Just theorizing, though. I know most places that have fish in their fountains now have
signs asking that pennies (or any coin) not be thrown in the water. I would assume this to
be the reason.

I think I agree with taking the safe bet, and using PVC.

DeAnna

That's true, but I can treat for that, and the treatments are readily
available. I have never seen DeCopper anywhere. LOL.

I know Mardel makes a form of chelated (sp?) copper called CopperSafe, for killing
protozoans, flukes, and other parasites. I do know copper is harmful to invertebrates.

I would think that it might possibly cause problems farther down the road, since you would
not have a way of controlling the amount that was being added to the water.

Just theorizing, though. I know most places that have fish in their fountains now have
signs asking that pennies (or any coin) not be thrown in the water. I would assume this to
be the reason.

I think I agree with taking the safe bet, and using PVC.

DeAnna

That's true, but I can treat for that, and the treatments are readily
available. I have never seen DeCopper anywhere. LOL.

I know Mardel makes a form of chelated (sp?) copper called CopperSafe, for killing
protozoans, flukes, and other parasites. I do know copper is harmful to invertebrates.

I would think that it might possibly cause problems farther down the road, since you would
not have a way of controlling the amount that was being added to the water.

Just theorizing, though. I know most places that have fish in their fountains now have
signs asking that pennies (or any coin) not be thrown in the water. I would assume this to
be the reason.

I think I agree with taking the safe bet, and using PVC.

DeAnna

That's true, but I can treat for that, and the treatments are readily
available. I have never seen DeCopper anywhere. LOL.

I know Mardel makes a form of chelated (sp?) copper called CopperSafe, for killing
protozoans, flukes, and other parasites. I do know copper is harmful to invertebrates.

I would think that it might possibly cause problems farther down the road, since you would
not have a way of controlling the amount that was being added to the water.

Just theorizing, though. I know most places that have fish in their fountains now have
signs asking that pennies (or any coin) not be thrown in the water. I would assume this to
be the reason.

I think I agree with taking the safe bet, and using PVC.

DeAnna

"Pond Newbie" wrote:

Just theorizing, though. I know most places that have fish in their fountains now have
signs asking that pennies (or any coin) not be thrown in the water. I would assume this to
be the reason.

Pennies in the last decade or so have been made of copper plated zinc.

Neither is safe for fish.

"Pond Newbie" wrote:

Just theorizing, though. I know most places that have fish in their fountains now have
signs asking that pennies (or any coin) not be thrown in the water. I would assume this to
be the reason.

Pennies in the last decade or so have been made of copper plated zinc.

Neither is safe for fish.

"Pond Newbie" wrote:

Just theorizing, though. I know most places that have fish in their fountains now have
signs asking that pennies (or any coin) not be thrown in the water. I would assume this to
be the reason.

Pennies in the last decade or so have been made of copper plated zinc.

Neither is safe for fish.

"Pond Newbie" wrote:

Just theorizing, though. I know most places that have fish in their fountains now have
signs asking that pennies (or any coin) not be thrown in the water. I would assume this to
be the reason.

Pennies in the last decade or so have been made of copper plated zinc.

Neither is safe for fish.

"Pond Newbie" wrote:

Just theorizing, though. I know most places that have fish in their fountains now have
signs asking that pennies (or any coin) not be thrown in the water. I would assume this to
be the reason.

Pennies in the last decade or so have been made of copper plated zinc.

Neither is safe for fish.

"Pond Newbie" wrote:

Just theorizing, though. I know most places that have fish in their fountains now have
signs asking that pennies (or any coin) not be thrown in the water. I would assume this to
be the reason.

Pennies in the last decade or so have been made of copper plated zinc.

Neither is safe for fish.

Sam Hopkins wrote:
If your PH is 7.0 it will leech and be dissolved into the water column and
build up and affect your fish. If your PH is 7.0 it will precipitate out
and not affect anything. I know this from treating acid mine drainage.

Sam

.hmmmph our well water ph here runs about 8-9 and will disolve a copper pipe in a year or two
in 1999 they put in a new subdivision an school near here and have had
to replace all lthe copper pipes with pvc because of leaks, a real pain
when the pipes are in under a concrete slab

John Rutz

My guess is there's something more sinister going on. Copper pipes have been
used a long long long time in homes with water that is above 7 PH and the
plumping in them still exists after 80 years.

Sam

"fuerjefe" wrote in message
...


Sam Hopkins wrote:
If your PH is 7.0 it will leech and be dissolved into the water column
and
build up and affect your fish. If your PH is 7.0 it will precipitate
out
and not affect anything. I know this from treating acid mine drainage.

Sam

.hmmmph our well water ph here runs about 8-9 and will disolve a copper
pipe in a year or two
in 1999 they put in a new subdivision an school near here and have had
to replace all lthe copper pipes with pvc because of leaks, a real pain
when the pipes are in under a concrete slab

John Rutz

John Hines wrote in message . ..
"Pond Newbie" wrote:

Just theorizing, though. I know most places that have fish in their fountains now have
signs asking that pennies (or any coin) not be thrown in the water. I would assume this to
be the reason.

Pennies in the last decade or so have been made of copper plated zinc.

Neither is safe for fish.

And to make things more fun the presence of zinc significantly
increases the toxicity of copper...

John Hines wrote in message . ..
"Pond Newbie" wrote:

Just theorizing, though. I know most places that have fish in their fountains now have
signs asking that pennies (or any coin) not be thrown in the water. I would assume this to
be the reason.

Pennies in the last decade or so have been made of copper plated zinc.

Neither is safe for fish.

And to make things more fun the presence of zinc significantly
increases the toxicity of copper...