Copper vs Coral- where to draw the line?

Reefahholic · 02/01/2011, 08:49 PM

If you've previously treated a tank with copper, can that tank be used for reefing or is it toxic now? Is it just the water or does the tank itself actually harbor the copper?

Does copper set in live rock? For example, if you first had a FOWLR, treated for copper during that time, could you go to reef later? Do the rock or filters hold the copper?

If fish are purchased from LFS that treat their fish with copper, will they kill your reef later?

Where is the line drawn?

Fish4Me2 · 02/01/2011, 08:54 PM

From what I've read, live rock is sufficiently porous that it will retain enough copper to harm coral. I suppose the easy way to find out would be to buy the rock, put it in your QT, and test your copper levels. I wouldn't risk it with live rock. This weekend I"'ll be setting up a dedicated QT, with the plan of using copper. I'm going to include PVC fittings for the fish to hide in, rather than rock.

Reefahholic · 02/01/2011, 09:17 PM

So it's really just the water and rock?

I've heard people say "this tank has never seen copper."

I'm still confused about what things harbor the copper, what can still be used after treating with copper, and what needs to be discarded or not re-used after being introduced to copper.

suds1421 · 02/01/2011, 09:23 PM

Copper persists for a long time in many things in the aquarium. It could be anywhere, really had to tell without testing if an item still has copper on/in it.

You are probably pretty safe with the fish, they could have some copper in their waste, but with a good QT that wouldn't be an issue.

Reefahholic · 02/01/2011, 09:42 PM

Could the plastic part of the filtration I'm currently using for a freshwater tank that's inside the tank potentially infect my water or fish in the QT when I use it to filter that tank.

Seems like it could bond to things like plastic or silicone a lot easier.

preef · 02/01/2011, 09:56 PM

As long as the tank is clean (no coraline) I think it is unlikely that it would be able to absorb and then leach copper since glass is not porous. I'm not sure about the silicone. If it leaches copper out it should be slowly enough that it can get filtered by carbon.

I would not use any live rock from a tank treated with copper.

Fish from a tank treated with copper are not a problem.

USC-fan · 02/01/2011, 09:57 PM

You can remove copper.To test just buy some polyfilter. If it turns blue you have copper, then buy something to remove it all.

Reefahholic · 02/01/2011, 10:01 PM

Ok, thank you guys, I needed that info! Thanks again!

02/01/2011, 08:49 PM	#1
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	Copper vs Coral- where to draw the line? If you've previously treated a tank with copper, can that tank be used for reefing or is it toxic now? Is it just the water or does the tank itself actually harbor the copper? Does copper set in live rock? For example, if you first had a FOWLR, treated for copper during that time, could you go to reef later? Do the rock or filters hold the copper? If fish are purchased from LFS that treat their fish with copper, will they kill your reef later? Where is the line drawn?

02/01/2011, 09:56 PM	#6
preef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Algonquin, IL Posts: 809	As long as the tank is clean (no coraline) I think it is unlikely that it would be able to absorb and then leach copper since glass is not porous. I'm not sure about the silicone. If it leaches copper out it should be slowly enough that it can get filtered by carbon. I would not use any live rock from a tank treated with copper. Fish from a tank treated with copper are not a problem. __________________ 72 gal bowfront mixed reef. Tank born 10/14/2007

02/01/2011, 09:57 PM	#7
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	You can remove copper.To test just buy some polyfilter. If it turns blue you have copper, then buy something to remove it all. Last edited by USC-fan; 02/01/2011 at 10:07 PM.

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02/01/2011, 08:54 PM	#2
Fish4Me2 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: TwinCities Posts: 650	From what I've read, live rock is sufficiently porous that it will retain enough copper to harm coral. I suppose the easy way to find out would be to buy the rock, put it in your QT, and test your copper levels. I wouldn't risk it with live rock. This weekend I"'ll be setting up a dedicated QT, with the plan of using copper. I'm going to include PVC fittings for the fish to hide in, rather than rock.

02/01/2011, 09:17 PM	#3
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	So it's really just the water and rock? I've heard people say "this tank has never seen copper." I'm still confused about what things harbor the copper, what can still be used after treating with copper, and what needs to be discarded or not re-used after being introduced to copper.

02/01/2011, 09:23 PM	#4
suds1421 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 121	Copper persists for a long time in many things in the aquarium. It could be anywhere, really had to tell without testing if an item still has copper on/in it. You are probably pretty safe with the fish, they could have some copper in their waste, but with a good QT that wouldn't be an issue.

02/01/2011, 09:42 PM	#5
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	Could the plastic part of the filtration I'm currently using for a freshwater tank that's inside the tank potentially infect my water or fish in the QT when I use it to filter that tank. Seems like it could bond to things like plastic or silicone a lot easier.

02/01/2011, 10:01 PM	#8
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	Ok, thank you guys, I needed that info! Thanks again!