How to Remove Copper From a Salt Water Aquarium

Copper gives the animals in your aquarium a stronger immune system, but has a drawback when you start putting invertebrates in the aquarium. Normally, copper weakens invertebrates, sometimes causing death. Before you let an invertebrate animal such as a sea snail in your aquarium, you must clean out the aquarium of all the copper within the water.

Things You'll Need

  • Activated charcoal filter
  • Sponge
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Instructions

    • 1

      Switch the filter on your aquarium with a charcoal filter.

    • 2

      Drain out half of the water in your tank and replace it with new water.

    • 3

      Clean all aquarium ornaments with hot water outside the aquarium and place them back inside.

    • 4

      Wipe all the glass inside the aquarium with a soft sponge. Do not use any abrasive materials.

    • 5

      Drain about 10 to 20 percent of the water in your tank and place a new batch of water after cleaning the tank again one week later. This ensures you have no trace of copper hanging around the margins in the tank.