Copper treated tank

Reefnub · 04/23/2011, 05:09 PM

So I was thinking of converting my dads tank from flowr to reef, his tank is acrylic and he did copper treatments around 3 years ago. I was wondering if there was any way he can get a fresh start again, vinegar and bleach bath? What else can I do to get him a fresh start?

Reefahholic · 04/23/2011, 05:38 PM

That's a long time ago, I think ur on the right track. Maybe change the rock since the copper can leach to LR?? Start out small and see how things are looking.

Good luck!

Reefnub · 04/23/2011, 11:46 PM

I heard of ppl saying once copper is introduced, it's impossible to remove. I'm hoping vinegar and bleach will remove all or 99.9% of it. I will be muriatic acid/bleaching the liverock which are practically dead rocks in the tank. Also going to remove all old sand bed and add new sand bed. I hope it works.

shifty51008 · 04/24/2011, 12:20 AM

that is a myth. copper can leach from rocks and sand but it can't stay on a tank or plastic or even silicone just a good rub down with vinegar and warm water and replace the rocks and sand and your good to go.

Reefahholic · 04/24/2011, 04:12 AM

Yeah I'm thinking the same. I can see it binding to LR, sand, or maybe plastic in the tank, but the glass itself seems impossible. I've also heard that silicone is pretty resistant to copper.

Good luck my friend! Just start SLOW...

billdogg · 04/24/2011, 06:32 AM

3 years ago? I would just run a little polyfilter to see if it colors up, and go for it. After 3 years the copper will be so dilute due to water changes that it probably is not detectable.

04/23/2011, 05:09 PM	#1
Reefnub Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: California Posts: 750	Copper treated tank So I was thinking of converting my dads tank from flowr to reef, his tank is acrylic and he did copper treatments around 3 years ago. I was wondering if there was any way he can get a fresh start again, vinegar and bleach bath? What else can I do to get him a fresh start?

04/24/2011, 12:20 AM	#4
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	that is a myth. copper can leach from rocks and sand but it can't stay on a tank or plastic or even silicone just a good rub down with vinegar and warm water and replace the rocks and sand and your good to go. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

04/24/2011, 06:32 AM	#6
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	3 years ago? I would just run a little polyfilter to see if it colors up, and go for it. After 3 years the copper will be so dilute due to water changes that it probably is not detectable. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

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04/23/2011, 05:38 PM	#2
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	That's a long time ago, I think ur on the right track. Maybe change the rock since the copper can leach to LR?? Start out small and see how things are looking. Good luck!

04/23/2011, 11:46 PM	#3
Reefnub Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: California Posts: 750	I heard of ppl saying once copper is introduced, it's impossible to remove. I'm hoping vinegar and bleach will remove all or 99.9% of it. I will be muriatic acid/bleaching the liverock which are practically dead rocks in the tank. Also going to remove all old sand bed and add new sand bed. I hope it works.

04/24/2011, 04:12 AM	#5
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	Yeah I'm thinking the same. I can see it binding to LR, sand, or maybe plastic in the tank, but the glass itself seems impossible. I've also heard that silicone is pretty resistant to copper. Good luck my friend! Just start SLOW...