Copper sulfate is an inorganic compound that combines sulfur with copper. It can kill bacteria, algae, roots, plants, snails, and fungi. The toxicity of copper sulfate depends on the copper content. Copper is an essential mineral. It can be found in the environment, foods, and water.

Commercial copper sulfate is usually about 98% pure copper sulfate, and may contain traces of water. Anhydrous Copper sulfate is 39.81 percent copper and 60.19 percent sulfate by mass, and in its blue, hydrous form, it is 25.47% copper, 38.47% sulfate (12.82% sulfur) and 36.06% water by mass.

Make Copper Sulfate

1. Fill a jar or beaker with 5 ml concentrated sulfuric acid and 30 ml of water.
2. Set two copper wires into the solution so that they are not touching each other.
3. Connect the wires to a 6-volt battery.
4. The solution will turn blue as copper sulfate is produced.

Copper(II) sulfate, also known as copper sulphate, are the inorganic compounds with the chemical formula CuSO4(H2O)x, where x can range from 0 to 5. The pentahydrate (x = 5) is the most common form. Older names for this compound include blue vitriol, bluestone, vitriol of copper, and Roman vitriol.

Uses: Copper sulfate is used as a fungicide, algaecide, root killer, and herbicide in both agriculture and non-agricultural settings. It is also used as an antimicrobial and molluscicide.

Copper(II) sulfate is used extensively in agriculture as a soil additive, a fumigant for trees, a feed additive to prevent mineral deficiencies, and as a wood preservative.

It would be wise to leave the house for the day after treatment. Much smaller amounts of copper sulfate could be used two or three times a year to prevent stoppage where root invasion problems are frequent.

Copper Sulfate Unlike nonselective herbicides, copper does not harm other plants, although it can kill grass seedlings.

If copper sulphate crystals are added to water then, the particles of copper sulphate crystals loses attraction between them and starts moving continuously and gets mixed up with water.

This process can take approximately 20 minutes. Hot water is the key! If you do not have hot water then it will take longer to bring that copper into solution and you may plug up your sprayer.

– When copper sulphate pentahydrate is heated, it loses water of crystallization as a result of evaporation. – Losing water of crystallization turns hydrated copper sulphate into anhydrous copper sulphate salt. On heating, blue coloured copper sulphate crystals become white. Heating turns crystals of CuSO4.

Mix 5lbs of granular copper sulfate with 3 gallons of hot water. Agitate until granular is completely dissolved.

After using a copper sulfate algae control product you should notice the algae start to change a brownish or grayish white within about 24 hours. This change in color is the first indication that the copper sulfate is killing the algae. A heavy rainfall will sink the dead algae to the pond floor.

Bordeaux mixture has been found to be harmful to fish, livestock and—due to potential buildup of copper in the soil—earthworms. The chemical was in use as a blight preventive in the potato country of northern Maine by 1921. It started to be used by the United Fruit Company throughout Latin America around 1922.

When organisms such as algae become a problem in private or commercial fish ponds, copper sulfate treatment provides an inexpensive solution. However, improper application of copper sulfate can create more problems than it solves.

It is toxic to humans. Since copper sulfate is easily absorbed through the skin, those that dispense it must be extremely cautious to avoid even minimal skin contact with it. If contact occurs, it can cause itching and permanent yellow discoloration of the skin.

about 48 hours

CONTROL OF ALGAE AND BACTERIAL ODOR IN WATERSCAPES, DECORATIVE POOLS, AND FOUNTAINS (Except California): Apply in the spring or early summer when algae and bacteria first appear.

Adding a few copper coins to your birdbath will prevent algae from growing! If you use pennies, make sure they are pre-1982.

Copper sulfate crystals can be fine or coarse. The greatest risk to fish from the use of copper sulfate is killing too much plant material at one time. Decay of plant material uses scarce dissolved oxygen, leading to fish suffocation. Fish kills due to direct toxicity of copper sulfate happen occasionally.

Copper sulfate is toxic to very few fish. Some species that you can’t use copper with are Koi, goldfish and trout all of which are listed on the label. Pond owners that have experienced a fish kill after using a copper sulfate algaecide most likely treated too large of an area.

Use chemical control methods. Copper sulfate pentahydrate is used to control leech populations. The recommended dose is 5 ppm. This approach, however, will kill everything in the water, including fish and other creatures.

Chelated copper algaecides reduce the frequency of treatments because they are effective for up to 6 weeks after application. With all chemical treatments, we recommend using only as needed. Chemicals may disrupt the natural balance in the pond. Algaecides kill good bacteria.

Copper Sulfate is a granulated algaecide great for treatment of pond and lake algae and is also suited for treating areas to eliminate swimmer’s itch. Copper Sulfate Algaecide is an effective algae control product that also helps relieve Swimmer’s Itch and leech issues.

Copper sulfate, a commonly applied algaecide, kills mosquito larvae. At least once a year rake out the sticks, leaves, trash, and other debris from around the pond.

Copper’s Effect It kills algae by binding to it, which damages the algae cells, causing them to leak and die. Too much copper is toxic to plants because it prevents photosynthesis.

Copper sulfate can kill trees. Copper sulphate is a poison often used to discourage tree roots from growing into vulnerable areas such as sewer lines. It can, however, kill a whole tree if it is properly applied.