Copper in Used Freshwater Tanks???

reeferdeefer · 11/24/2010, 12:55 AM

I had a chance to pick up a used 55g tank, but the previous owner has used copper-based meds for his cichlids.

Reefer buddy says the copper gets in the silicone and is virtually impossible to get rid of.

Fish should be ok, but even one nice coral would cost more than this 55g tank.

Whaddya ya'll think about this mess?

Is it the case for glass and acylic tanks?

pbnj · 11/24/2010, 01:00 AM

Yes, it gets into the silicone seals and will leach out over time. Then the copper gets into your liverock. That's ok for FO, but not a reef. New 55 gallon tanks are so inexpensive these days, why bother?

reeferdeefer · 11/24/2010, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbnj

Yes, it gets into the silicone seals and will leach out over time. Then the copper gets into your liverock. That's ok for FO, but not a reef. New 55 gallon tanks are so inexpensive these days, why bother?

That confirms what my friend said.

What about an acrylic tank? There is a used Truvu hex that I want to use for a reservoir, but it had freshwater fish in it, and the previous owner almost certainly used copper.

Mr. Fish · 11/24/2010, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reeferdeefer

That confirms what my friend said.

What about an acrylic tank? There is a used Truvu hex that I want to use for a reservoir, but it had freshwater fish in it, and the previous owner almost certainly used copper.

Acrylic is fine, make sure to wash out the inside many times though.

Rockys_Pride · 11/24/2010, 02:15 AM

FYI, just found this out myself, most algae medications used in FW have copper to kill the algae. FYI

reeferdeefer · 11/24/2010, 02:17 AM

Thanks for sharing. I'm not gonna take a chance on a used glass tank. As mentioned above: glass is cheap nowadays anyhow.

Rockys_Pride · 11/24/2010, 02:19 AM

he's right, I usually hit up Petco during their dollar a gallon sale.

Maximus · 11/24/2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reeferdeefer

That confirms what my friend said.

What about an acrylic tank? There is a used Truvu hex that I want to use for a reservoir, but it had freshwater fish in it, and the previous owner almost certainly used copper.

Sk8r · 11/24/2010, 03:04 PM

You can get copper out, ultimately; running Polyfilter in salt water over time will do it, but the Polyfilter is likely to cost nearly as much as the tank. Let them sell it for freshwater use.

reeferdeefer · 11/26/2010, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus

You were right, (I figured you were) but I learned a couple things from this thread... and you know what, you learned something new on this thread too.

reeferdeefer · 11/27/2010, 08:02 PM

Ok, so if I'm going to be using the tank for a sump and looks arent that important, can I just goop on more silicone to prevent copper from leaching out???

11/24/2010, 12:55 AM	#1
reeferdeefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Shanghai Posts: 50	Copper in Used Freshwater Tanks??? I had a chance to pick up a used 55g tank, but the previous owner has used copper-based meds for his cichlids. Reefer buddy says the copper gets in the silicone and is virtually impossible to get rid of. Fish should be ok, but even one nice coral would cost more than this 55g tank. Whaddya ya'll think about this mess? Is it the case for glass and acylic tanks?

11/24/2010, 03:04 PM	#9
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	You can get copper out, ultimately; running Polyfilter in salt water over time will do it, but the Polyfilter is likely to cost nearly as much as the tank. Let them sell it for freshwater use. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

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11/24/2010, 01:00 AM	#2
pbnj Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 381	Yes, it gets into the silicone seals and will leach out over time. Then the copper gets into your liverock. That's ok for FO, but not a reef. New 55 gallon tanks are so inexpensive these days, why bother?

11/24/2010, 02:15 AM	#5
Rockys_Pride Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: colorado Posts: 490	FYI, just found this out myself, most algae medications used in FW have copper to kill the algae. FYI

11/24/2010, 02:17 AM	#6
reeferdeefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Shanghai Posts: 50	Thanks for sharing. I'm not gonna take a chance on a used glass tank. As mentioned above: glass is cheap nowadays anyhow.

11/24/2010, 02:19 AM	#7
Rockys_Pride Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: colorado Posts: 490	he's right, I usually hit up Petco during their dollar a gallon sale.

11/27/2010, 08:02 PM	#11
reeferdeefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Shanghai Posts: 50	Ok, so if I'm going to be using the tank for a sump and looks arent that important, can I just goop on more silicone to prevent copper from leaching out???