copper in the aquarium

[scsuboy18]

I know copper is bad for the reef--so that's not where my question is going...however, I am looking to get back into the hobby, and of course like all of us we sometimes like to go the cheaper approach for some things, except lights and skimmers of course...but I want to know what is the best precautionary steps to take when aquiring an aquarium that isn't brand new? I want to assume that that person had already treated their tank, fresh or FO saltwater with Copper--but I also want to be sure that when I set up my reef, I'm not going to have a metldown later on down the road.

Would've used hte search function, but like always when I try to use it it's always disabled. Suppose I should purchase the premium membership....

The easiest answer one can give me is "buy brand new, then you wouldn't have to worry." And quite possibly that's what I may do...but

[scsuboy18]

bump

[dendronepthya]

I think they make copper test kits.

[sanababit]

i think even if they treated the tank with copper, copper will adhere to silicone and glass, i would clean it very well with vinegar and some chlorine (if you want), let it dry and set it up, if you are really paranoid you can run a polypad filter before adding anything to see if it changes color, if its green then you had some copper in the tank, hope this helps

sana

[patsfan1130]

I agree, clean it very well with vinegar, rinse & let dry. Personally, I would not think twice about using it. Let it rip.

[scsuboy18]

Thanks for the replies!! Haven't purchased anything yet, but the thought occurred to me this morning. Some of these people getting rid of their aquariums probably wouldn't even know what copper is.

[billdogg]

rinse with tap water, run polyfilter & carbon - I even still use the rocks from back in the Fo days - treated with copper many times - just ran the PF & carbon - no problems at all

[Zestay]

when id doubt, throw it out

[Yogre]

I agree with the above replies about a good vinegar cleaning and rinse.

As far as a copper test kit goes, the hobbyist kits are designed to test for copper in therapeutic ranges, they won't tell you if copper is present at levels harmful to inverts. But, a good cleaning and you should be good to go.

[robot2222]

here is an idea . buy a tank that you know was used for a reef tank and had corals in it. somtimes people forced to part out and can't sell as a whole system .if you see coral in the tank you know you are safe.

[Macimage]

Originally posted by robot2222
here is an idea . buy a tank that you know was used for a reef tank and had corals in it. somtimes people forced to part out and can't sell as a whole system .if you see coral in the tank you know you are safe.

Exactly what I was going to post! Buy a used reef setup.

Joyce

[jenglish]

I think it is good to be cautious but I think some overestimate the ability of copper to bind to glass. If the silicone is discolored it has seen a lot of copper and needs to be replaced. if it is not then cleanwith an acid. bleach is a good disinfectant but will do little for copper. They make copper test kits as well as copper absorbing media such as cuprasorb or something like that. I would wash it with white vinegar and let it rip. Of course finding one that has been used as a reef lessens the chances it will have been treated with copper. But remember there are people out there selling their tank in frustration after killing all thier corals with copper

[Macimage]

Originally posted by jenglish
Of course finding one that has been used as a reef lessens the chances it will have been treated with copper. But remember there are people out there selling their tank in frustration after killing all thier corals with copper

When I recommended that the OP "Buy a used reef setup", I was referring to an up and running reef setup with live corals.

There are many for sale on our local craigslist. The ads show the live corals.

Joyce

[LPS_Blasto]

So white vinegar will neutralize the copper in the silicone and on the glass?

I've just finished giving a used tank a bleach bath with 1:10 concentration and water as hot as I could stand putting my hands in. Rinsed about 15 times with VERY hot water.

Think I should wipe it down with a 1:10 concentration of white vinegar?

[Macimage]

Originally posted by jenglish
bleach is a good disinfectant but will do little for copper.

Additionally, there have been several posts stating that copper is lethal to a reef tank and that it's not worth the risk.

I don't think these same posters will now tell you the vinegar will work.

If it were that easy to get rid of the copper, don't you think some of us would also just buy a used tank and clean it up?? There are tons of great money saving tips on RC. Unfortunately, this is not one of them as corals are sensitive to the slightest undetectable amount of copper.

[JShearer83]

Try cuprisorb made by seachem, and yes they do make copper test kits

[jenglish]

Originally posted by LPS_Blasto
So white vinegar will neutralize the copper in the silicone and on the glass?

I've just finished giving a used tank a bleach bath with 1:10 concentration and water as hot as I could stand putting my hands in. Rinsed about 15 times with VERY hot water.

Think I should wipe it down with a 1:10 concentration of white vinegar?

If you are going to use vinegar it needs to be 100% vinegar. I prefer a weakened muriatic acid as it is more powerful but is quite dangerous. Some of the Chemists around will talk about even using live rock after a copper treatment if treated with muriatic acid.