Uh-Oh Can I use my existing tank for a reef?

FishMaster1000 · 03/05/2006, 11:15 AM

Well, I am about to empty my african cichlid tank to set it up as a reef. Then it hit me. About a year ago I ran into ick with the cichlids and treated with this...
http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products.../Itemdy00.aspx

I figured I better make sure there was no copper in it. The ingredients mention nothing of copper but it does say not for use in reef aquariums ...Do you think I am safe? Please help asap!!

Edit: Fixed the link!

teo241 · 03/05/2006, 11:38 AM

link didn't work for me

FishMaster1000 · 03/05/2006, 11:42 AM

Sorry about that! Fixed!

Avi · 03/05/2006, 12:28 PM

It says there that is ISN'T safe for reef tanks. I don't know whether it's because there may be copper in it or not, but some of it may have been absorbed into the silicon on the seams of the glass of the tank, and might leach out. This would have an effect on inverts that you would add to a reef. There may be no consequences, but there is a definite risk. I have a fresh water tank that I once treated with a medication that warned against ever using in a reef tank, and while that was no danger because it was in a fresh water planted tank, even years later, I was never able to keep any shrimp in that tank.

FishMaster1000 · 03/05/2006, 12:48 PM

... I wonder if I should chance it....I guess for 50 bucks I could buy a new tank...It is a 28 bowfront!

Avi · 03/05/2006, 12:49 PM

That doesn't seem like too high a price to pay for peace of mind and a sure thing.

FishMaster1000 · 03/05/2006, 01:16 PM

I just called thatfishplace where I purchased it and they said its fine.. I wonder what I should do ;(

Avi · 03/05/2006, 01:23 PM

Well, for what it's worth...if the cost is an obstacle to getting a fresh new tank, then stick with the tank you already have. I can't give you guarantees, but most likely it'd be all right. Don't go into this hobby with too much concern...you want to have a good time with it.

FishMaster1000 · 03/05/2006, 01:48 PM

The cost isnt an obstacle...I was originally just going to buy a new tank so I did not have to clean this one out, but figured what the hell I'll just clean it out..

LOTUS50GOD · 03/05/2006, 01:50 PM

buy a new tank and sleep better at night.

T-6 Driver · 03/05/2006, 02:00 PM

I agree. The cost of the glass tank is tiny compared to what you'll spend on everything else. Try to sell your old one.

03/05/2006, 11:15 AM	#1
FishMaster1000 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Middletown, New Jersey Posts: 520	Uh-Oh Can I use my existing tank for a reef? Well, I am about to empty my african cichlid tank to set it up as a reef. Then it hit me. About a year ago I ran into ick with the cichlids and treated with this... http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products.../Itemdy00.aspx I figured I better make sure there was no copper in it. The ingredients mention nothing of copper but it does say not for use in reef aquariums ...Do you think I am safe? Please help asap!! Edit: Fixed the link! Last edited by FishMaster1000; 03/05/2006 at 11:41 AM.

03/05/2006, 11:38 AM	#2
teo241 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: wisconsin Posts: 339	link didn't work for me __________________ 360, 75, 45

03/05/2006, 12:28 PM	#4
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	It says there that is ISN'T safe for reef tanks. I don't know whether it's because there may be copper in it or not, but some of it may have been absorbed into the silicon on the seams of the glass of the tank, and might leach out. This would have an effect on inverts that you would add to a reef. There may be no consequences, but there is a definite risk. I have a fresh water tank that I once treated with a medication that warned against ever using in a reef tank, and while that was no danger because it was in a fresh water planted tank, even years later, I was never able to keep any shrimp in that tank. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

03/05/2006, 12:49 PM	#6
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	That doesn't seem like too high a price to pay for peace of mind and a sure thing. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

03/05/2006, 01:23 PM	#8
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	Well, for what it's worth...if the cost is an obstacle to getting a fresh new tank, then stick with the tank you already have. I can't give you guarantees, but most likely it'd be all right. Don't go into this hobby with too much concern...you want to have a good time with it. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

03/05/2006, 11:42 AM	#3
FishMaster1000 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Middletown, New Jersey Posts: 520	Sorry about that! Fixed!

03/05/2006, 12:48 PM	#5
FishMaster1000 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Middletown, New Jersey Posts: 520	... I wonder if I should chance it....I guess for 50 bucks I could buy a new tank...It is a 28 bowfront!

03/05/2006, 01:16 PM	#7
FishMaster1000 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Middletown, New Jersey Posts: 520	I just called thatfishplace where I purchased it and they said its fine.. I wonder what I should do ;(

03/05/2006, 01:48 PM	#9
FishMaster1000 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Middletown, New Jersey Posts: 520	The cost isnt an obstacle...I was originally just going to buy a new tank so I did not have to clean this one out, but figured what the hell I'll just clean it out..

03/05/2006, 01:50 PM	#10
LOTUS50GOD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,210	buy a new tank and sleep better at night. __________________ Vertex Alpha 300 Skimmer, AI SOL Blue, Neptune Apex Controlled 360 gallon Reef Current Tank Info: born 6/26/2008- 340 reef + 100 fuge, 300lbs of figi LR

03/05/2006, 02:00 PM	#11
T-6 Driver Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 81	I agree. The cost of the glass tank is tiny compared to what you'll spend on everything else. Try to sell your old one.