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  1. #1

    Copper water fountain tree

    I have a plan to add a copper tree designed water fountain to the middle of my pond as they look great,however, I was looking at one for sale and the blurb had in brackets,(not recommended with fish). These tree's are used a lot in garden ponds with fish so was wondering if anyone has a good reason for this caveat. Copper is used by all of us in drinking water and also in brewing as a safe metal so not sure why this company was not recommending it. https://www.copper-bracelets.com/sma...ture-592-p.asp



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  3. #2
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Gazkoi's Avatar
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    Hi mate,

    Too much copper exposure will poison the fish.

    One of my customers home made a bakki, skimmer and river return and had loads of problems.

    Yes it is used in the water feed pipes, which is unavoidable but the water is often purified prior to entering the pond.

    On a personal note I agree they look good.

    Cheers

    Gaz

    Quote Originally Posted by the coyman View Post
    I have a plan to add a copper tree designed water fountain to the middle of my pond as they look great,however, I was looking at one for sale and the blurb had in brackets,(not recommended with fish). These tree's are used a lot in garden ponds with fish so was wondering if anyone has a good reason for this caveat. Copper is used by all of us in drinking water and also in brewing as a safe metal so not sure why this company was not recommending it. https://www.copper-bracelets.com/sma...ture-592-p.asp
    Hobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.

    Always happy to help!!

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  5. #3
    Senior Member Rank = Rokusai RipleyRich's Avatar
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    Copper is bad news. If you want something like that, then Stainless Steel (316) is the safe option.

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  7. #4
    Copper toxicity to freshwater fish:
    Copper: 0.014 mg/L in hard water, more toxic in soft water.
    Fish kill level: > 0.37 mg/L in soft water, > 6.0 to 6.4 mg/L in hard water.
    Tolerable level for continuous exposure: < 0.006 mg/L

    Copper is bioaccumulative which means it will accumulate in the body in the same way that continuous exposure to low levels of lead build until health is affected.

    Even exposure to low levels of copper causes changes in a fish’s nervous system, gills, liver, kidneys, and its immune system. Fish exposed to copper over an extended period of time become dull, darkened and lethargic. In the initial stage of copper toxicity, gill lesions consist of the blunting of the gill lamella which significantly reduces the efficiency of the haemoglobin/oxygen exchange. The gill filaments initially become hyperplasic (severe build up of mucus) and evolve to gill telangiectasia (severe capillary congestion). With continued exposure, the fish will become indifferent to any form of external stimuli and, basically, will be suffocating to death.

    Humans are far more tolerant to drinking a maximum of a few litres per day of water containing copper (which goes straight into our stomachs) then expelled with other unwanted waste than the level for continuous exposure for freshwater fish where it enters through the gills into the bloodstream. This is reflected in the maximum level allowed in UK drinking water which is 2 mg/L compared with the maximum tolerable level for koi which is 0.006 mg/L. The comparison between koi pond water and what is allowed in drinking water is often made but the level allowed in our water is 333 times the maximum level that should exist in a koi pond.

    Sorry - why not build a water feature such as a pebble pond similar to this with the tree as the central feature.

    Picture from Pinterest:
    https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/229613280976373481/



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  9. #5
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Gazkoi's Avatar
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    Now there’s an answer

    Thanks as always MS

    Cheers

    Gaz
    Hobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.

    Always happy to help!!

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  11. #6
    youtube.com/watch?v=YzhwJgjunn0#t=1173




    EDIT: youtube has got more aggressive with pushing adverts, in recent months, and it can stop time-indexes from linking properly. The intended time-index in the above video is 19:18
    Last edited by MustBeSomethingInTheWater; 28-08-2020 at 02:44 PM.

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  14. #8
    Senior Member Rank = Rokusai RipleyRich's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by the coyman View Post
    Pity as this is what I had in mind, https://metallicgarden.co.uk/copper-...le-1500mm.html
    That`s either a very irresponsible picture and advert, or ignorance.

    In theory, a fish safe lacquer would solve the problem, but I`m not sure I would risk ensuring that it was 100% coated and never degraded.

    I can see the attraction though. My Mrs would love it!

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    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Adult Champion bowsaw's Avatar
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    With verdigris absent, it’s a pic taken just after installing
    the slow pond build thread

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  18. #10
    QUOTE=bowsaw;335478]With verdigris absent, it’s a pic taken just after installing[/QUOTE]

    Which explains why there aren't any dead fish floating on the surface yet.

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  20. #11
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bowsaw View Post
    With verdigris absent, it’s a pic taken just after installing
    Not the first time I have learned a new word from you!

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