Thinking copper problem

Okay new tanks been up and running for 3 months. parms. in check.... and double checked by LFS.

36 gallons
.
Ammonia= 0pmm
Ph= 8.4
Nitrate = 0ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
Phosphate = 0ppm
Calcium = 420 ppm
dKH= 9

Rock = 40lbs live rock 20 lbs base rock .
40 lbs live sand

live stock 4 damsels and a clown.


Now the problem....... Can not keep a invertabrate alive for more than 2days.... snails, lobster, soft coral... keeps dieing....

using drip method for alcimation...

Thinking copper problem......are there tests? and/or cure?

 

Yes, there are copper test kits. Why would you think it was that?

 

i dont know what else it could be... Im pretty new to saltwater tanks.... and probally a mistake was taking water from a well.

 

Double check your salinity...and have someone else check it like the LFS .....if your using the float style salinity tester......they are very notorious for faulty readings !!

thats what is sounds like to me....I had same problem and it was low salinity ..I have since purchased a refractometer ......much more accurate !

I had copper in my system when i bought it .....( used set-up ) ...took a few weeks running lots of charcoal to finally get it all out. and yes they have test kits for copper.....

Good luck!

 

If you used water directly from a well, then there is a good probability of some heavy metal contamination, whether it be copper, iron, arsenic etc. Did you use a conditioner at least? With a well, you could also have many other organic pollutants such as fertilizers too.