A penny can solve algae problems????

[zerojquan85]

So I was reading online about 7 new uses for a Penny some of the suggestions are very interesting but item #7 is by far the best of all..


7. Reader Tip: Birdbath Cleaner

To ward off algae, toss in a few pre-1982 coins; the high copper content retards growth.

Now i understand that this is for birdbath and not necessary fish tank.... BUT i am curious as to what copper MIGHT do in a fish tank? is it toxic? Will it be death like lead with high concentration of copper?

If its safe for fish.. this would be interesting for one tank of mine who gets about 90% sunlight everyday.. (planted tank)

Thanks!

PS: heres the article:
http://www.realsimple.com/home-orga.../index.html?xid=yahoobuzz-rs-012210&xid=yahoo

 

[BIG-G]

Interesting, I know that copper is used to treat some kinds of parisites, and is used in swimming pools to kill algea. I would think that high enough levels of copper to kill algea may also affect the natural bacteria in an aquarium. It may also cause metal poising in fish if exsposed to high levels of copper continusly. I would be cautious may cause more problems than it helps.

 

[bob965]

Sounds like an urban legend. My water pipes are copper, and I'll still get algae if I let my water go to crap.

 

[Zander_The_RBP]

copper does indeed kill algae but to reach that level of dissolved copper in the water would take more than a single penny. copper is also used to treat ich and other parasites but to get even that kind of dose would take ALOT of pennies lol

 

[jinkzd]

I am not by any means knowledgeable on aquatic "stuff". I do know that copper retards fungal (?) growth. Have you ever seen a roof that has green streaky sort of blobs on it? A copper wire run across the peak will stop the growth, so the copper / algae thing is not a "myth" so to speak, maybe just misinterpreted. Here is a (bad) link to the theory. Sorry, I'm lazy. Couldnt spend the time to look for an informative one! I also have no idea about fish and the effects of copper, only that it does work for roofs!

 

[chesterthehero]

copper is bad for algae as well as a lot of bacteria... theres been talk on the news/talk radio about how a lot of hospitals are switching to copper doorknobs and such since copper is very cheap right now and its "well known" bacteria killing qualities... however its also bad for a lot of fish and inverts... this is why a lot of meds say stuff like "not for use with inverts" and "check to make sure this is safe with your spacific fish" and other such things that im half quoting... coppersafe is a common med that has "fancy copper" in it or something that makes it safer for sensative fish...

 

[zerojquan85]

copper is bad for algae as well as a lot of bacteria... theres been talk on the news/talk radio about how a lot of hospitals are switching to copper doorknobs and such since copper is very cheap right now and its "well known" bacteria killing qualities... however its also bad for a lot of fish and inverts... this is why a lot of meds say stuff like "not for use with inverts" and "check to make sure this is safe with your spacific fish" and other such things that im half quoting... coppersafe is a common med that has "fancy copper" in it or something that makes it safer for sensative fish...

I always wondered about that.. coppersafe.. i thought it was just the name.. but it never occurred to me its copper... I guess copper would be bad for some fish..