Canister on QT Tank with Copper - can reuse on a reef tank?

SoulFish · 08/19/2008, 10:02 PM

If I used a canister on a QT tank and have run coppersafe through it, can I remove all the media, wash it out very good and reuse it with new media on a soft coral reef? I know some of you say once used in a copper enviroment you can never use it again, but what truth is there to that on hard plastic canisters, skimmers etc.?

sassafrass · 08/19/2008, 10:23 PM

If you were to compare risk to benefit you should be able to come to a decision. For me the risk of destroying all my coral and liverock seems unacceptable for the price of a cannister filter which is next to useless for a saltwater tank when compared to a skimmer,Just my experience.

SoulFish · 08/19/2008, 10:55 PM

Good point, the canister will not be used again. And I'll take the skimmer off the treatment tank

tmz · 08/20/2008, 12:48 AM

It will be fine to use. Just wipe it down with white vinegar and rinse it thoroughly. Canister filters without media make great carbon boxes,btw or you can use it as a pump to drive a uv.. Miniscule amounts of copper if any lefton the plastic will do no harm.There is alot more than that in the food you feed your fish and your slat mix and natural sea water. Not to mention tap water when used.

08/19/2008, 10:02 PM	#1
SoulFish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tampa Area Posts: 316	Canister on QT Tank with Copper - can reuse on a reef tank? If I used a canister on a QT tank and have run coppersafe through it, can I remove all the media, wash it out very good and reuse it with new media on a soft coral reef? I know some of you say once used in a copper enviroment you can never use it again, but what truth is there to that on hard plastic canisters, skimmers etc.?

08/20/2008, 12:48 AM	#4
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	It will be fine to use. Just wipe it down with white vinegar and rinse it thoroughly. Canister filters without media make great carbon boxes,btw or you can use it as a pump to drive a uv.. Miniscule amounts of copper if any lefton the plastic will do no harm.There is alot more than that in the food you feed your fish and your slat mix and natural sea water. Not to mention tap water when used. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

08/19/2008, 10:23 PM	#2
sassafrass Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: capitola ca Posts: 1,729	If you were to compare risk to benefit you should be able to come to a decision. For me the risk of destroying all my coral and liverock seems unacceptable for the price of a cannister filter which is next to useless for a saltwater tank when compared to a skimmer,Just my experience.

08/19/2008, 10:55 PM	#3
SoulFish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tampa Area Posts: 316	Good point, the canister will not be used again. And I'll take the skimmer off the treatment tank