Copper Sulfate Solution for Sanitizing wading Equipment

Updated Nov. 16, 2006

In testing by the California DFG, waders and boots showed no detrimental effects. Also, water still beads up on waders. In their tests copper sulfate was also more efficient at killing NZMS. It can be sprayed on and reliably kill the snail, which may be easier when traveling. Immersion and "dry bag" methods are effective also. All three methods of application are defined on this website. You probably accessed this page from the access page for each of the methods.

From the California Department Fish and Game Report: "Dissolve 3.785 grams of copper sulfate pentahydrate crystals (99.1% purity) for each gallon of solution you want to make. This will achieve a concentration of 252 mg/L of copper in the cleaning solution."

To make it a little simpler, the following table can be used as an aid.

For other forms with a different purity percentages you will need to figure the proper amount using the following information:

252 mg of Copper (Cu) per liter of solution.

Use instruments that are dedicated to this job or your gardening stuff, as this crystal is toxic. You should consider using other protective equipment such as plastic gloves and face shield or goggles as directed on some the product labeling.

Copper sulfate is often sold as a pesticide used in insecticides, fungicides, algaecides, herbicides and molluscicide (snail killer) as crystals, powders and/or liquids. Some forms are not very soluble in water. We want a soluble form for our application.

Copper sulfate can kill invasive algae and plants on our wading equipment as well as taking care of the invasive mud snails.

Copper sulfate pentahydrate (sold in scientific supply houses as cupric sulfate), in it's pure crystalline form, appears to be sold under a number of brand names. It also is known by the common names Blue Vitriol, Salzburg Vitriol, Roman Vitriol, Bluestone, and Blue Copperas. Copper sulfate pentahydrate is a compound found naturally on earth and is mined. In the past it has been used extensively as an algaecide in lakes,ponds swimming pools, and is still used, but to a lesser extend. In the dairy industry this form, dissolved in water, is commonly used to cleanse the lower legs and hoofs of cows for hoof rot by walking them into a shallow pit of solution. Another use, in very small quantities, is for a nutrient enhancer in the cattle feed industry. This form is also used in homes to kill roots in sewer and septic lines. Thus some Farm and Ranch stores carry it in 25 lb.. or more typically in 50 lb.. bags. Some also have it in bulk bins where you can buy it in small variable quantities. Copper sulfate pentahydrate has a number of uses in chemical processes thus it can be found at a scientific chemical supply house but this would be a more pedigree product... in the least a bigger paperwork trail for purity. Some hardware and large home improvement stores care 16 oz or 32 oz Brand name containers of root killer. The label on the packaging will tell you the percentage, by weight,of how much copper sulfate is in the package.

Chem One LTD is a supplier of copper sulfate pentahydrate (99.1% pure). Their multipurpose label says it is used as a sewer root killer, cattle foot bath, Algae killer, weed killer, and fresh water snail killer. See the multipurpose label . Phelps Dodge is also one of the leading producers of copper sulfate pentahydrate (99.1% pure) under their Triangle Brand. Both companies distribute the products to various other Distributors such as Zep and Roebic. It is a violation of Federal Law to use pesticides in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. According to the Pesticide Action Network both Chem One LTD and Phelps Dodge have their products listed with the EPA for, among many other uses, control of aquatic weeds and snails. Your state may further restrict the use of copper sulfate pentahydrate because it is a pesticide; you will need to determine this yourself. The Colorado Pesticide Information Retrieval System, Idaho pesticide product registration data , California Department of Pesticide Regulation

Some ranch supply stores and chemical supply houses in the Denver are carry copper sulfate pentahydrate crystals in the 99.1% purity form.

COLORADO
Denver:

Curve Feed and Supply
6750 W. Mississippi
Denver, CO
303-934-1249
Sold as Copper Sulfate fine granular crystals ($1.99/lb..)
(ask them for copper sulfate - it is kept in their back room)
50 Lb bags

Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply
12154 Dumont Way
Littleton, Co.
303-791-7800
sold as Roebic Laboratories K-77 Root Killer (copper sulfate pentahydrate 99.1% pure form)
32 oz. container about $10.00
(Look in the plumbing section - kills roots in sewer pipes)

http://www.roebic.com/catalog/root.htm
search the web for places to buy on line.

Feed Products Inc.
1000 West 47th Ave.
Denver, CO 80211
303-455-3646
800-332-8285
Sold as Copper Sulfate in 50 lb.. bags (may be available in 2 lb.. and 10 lb.. bags)

Colorado Scientific
95 Lincoln St.
Denver, CO
303-777-3777
Sold as Cupric Sulfate in 500 g (1.1 lb..) containers for about $11
(Cupric sulfate, granular, U.S.P grade)
You can order on the Internet at:
http://secure.sciencecompany.com/Cupric-Sulfate-500g--P6367C670.aspx
http://secure.sciencecompany.com/Cupric-Sulfate-1-oz-P6356C668.aspx

Home Depot
Sold as Zep Root Kill II, 32 Oz bottle about $8 (this is the copper sulfate pentahydrate form, 99.1% pure) (Look in the plumbing section - kills roots in sewer pipes)

Lowes
sold as Roebic Laboratories K-77 Root Killer (this is the copper sulfate pentahydrate form 99.1% pure) 32 oz. container about $10.00
(Look in the plumbing section - kills roots in sewer pipes)

 

The following may be found at some Hardware stores and most Home Depots or Lowes (look in the plumbing section):

"Zep Root Kill II." - sold in 2 lb.. containers, pebble sized crystals (this is the copper sulfate pentahydrate form 99.1% pure), about $8 or $9
Roebic Laboratories K-77 Root Killer (this is the copper sulfate pentahydrate form 99.1% pure)

Pesticide Action Network Database for Zep Root Kill II (Phelps Dodge Corporation product distributed by Zep)
Pesticide Action Network Database for Roebic Root Killer (Chem One LTD product distributed by Roebic)

Other potential sources:

"Root Clear" - 2 lb. jar , 99% pure - http://shop.septicandplumbing.com/displayProductDocument.hg?productId=3&categoryId=1
"Drain Out Root Clear", mfr'd by Iron Out, Inc. - 2 lb. jar Crystal - $8.00 - 99% pure Copper Sulfate pentahydrate - probably not the same as above, the jar label is different. http://www.usahardware.com/inet/shop/item/81800/icn/20-595744/iron_out/rc06n.htm

Links for additional info:
Blue vitriol
copper sulfate info

Some people still seem a little leery about this solution being okay for their fishing equipment in spite of it being tested. It is corrosive in strong concentrations but what we are using is pretty weak. You are also rinsing your equipment. I think some of these thoughts are from others saying it is corrosive. When killing roots people dump 2 lb.. of the crystals down a drain and it has been known to eat up plumbing when it is not dumped down a heavy duty drain such as the commode.

You need to take care to keep the dry crystals and the solution out of the reach of children. See below. Take care not to inhale copper sulfate dust.

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