Plant Doctor Archive

Water Gardens — Copper pipe

Is copper pipe OK to use for a water feature that is going in my fish pond?

Copper is toxic to fish at quite low concentrations and has been responsible for a considerable number of fish deaths. Having said that, it is only really new or recently polished copper that usually causes a problem. Once it has become tarnished, most copper pipe should be safe for fish. If in any doubt, coat the copper with a clear sealant to be on the safe side.

Reproduced with permission from the former Weekend Gardener magazine. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the RNZIH.