Can i use copper pipe for a ponds plumbing?

Question

Some one mentioned copper has a fungicide effect and you cannot use copper for the fountain / filter / waterfall plumbing in a pond

Is this true ?

Will it kill the fish ?

thanks,

Answer 1

1) earth bonding may be a problem outdoors ( electrical pump? ) SAFETY ?

2) it will scale and discolour

3) if not turned off in winter bursts may occur on joints due to below freezing temps.

4) use plastic much easier .

Answer 2

this site says it kills Koi...

http://www.raleighlandscape.com/Pond%20L...

under 'pipe types'....

then found this...

"Copper poisoning? We had to remove a copper fountain from a fish pond as it quite rapidly killed every batch of fish we put in it."

but if you search 'fishpond copper pipe' you get gobs of sites talking about how the pipe goes here, connects there, etc.... so who can be sure... I'd avoid it, myself... as heavy metals don't do anyone any good and there's a test for copper in the water of the pond, too.... and it sounds like a warning, too...

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~S...

indeed it does have an effect on algae.... I have a large shallow copper bowl birdbath that hardly EVER gets any kind of algae in it.... and we're all aware that some copper pennies in the bottom of another kind of birdbath will also help against algae.....

Answer 3

Copper is fatal to most species of pond life & is likely to contaminate the water from the pipes. It is much wiser to use plastic or rubber.

Answer 4

The inside of the pipe that comes in contact with water will form a layer of copper oxide.  This is not toxic to fish. You will not be sluffing off copper ions into the water... unless you do something to remove the copper oxide... like change the pH during cleaning.  Even then, copper would unlikely be at levels that would be toxic.

Answer 5

you can buy snap together plastic pipe from  most  diy shops think this will be safer.or go to  fish shop and ask what they sell

Answer 6

All of my water in my house comes from copper pipe.It is safe and therefore it is safe for a pond.You will have to blow the water out with air for the winter.