Questions on Copper

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Mazcote Yarquest

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 4, 2010
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New Hampshire
Ok, I have a 75G overflow which has been dry for 4+ years, at one point it was a FOWLR which did have copper used in it. I am in the planning stages of putting this tank back together and want to know what my options are.

Does anyone know if it is possible to "clean" this out of an unused dry tank? Is there a process to do so, like maybe rubbing alcohol or vinegar, dancing with chicken feet in the pale moon light? I am willing to do anything!

Does it dissipate over time or am I doomed to only fish in this tank?
 
Why would anyone use copper in their DT? I believe there are copper-removing products out there but it won't work 100%.
 
Your tank will be fine.
The new Live rock and sand that you add will sequester any residual traces of copper from when the tank was exposed before.

I personally think that leaching of small amounts copper is not especially dangerous given that we have large amounts of calcium already present in the tank (which readily forms Cu/Ca chelates) as well as methods of export (protein skimmers, some algae) and organisml uptake. Cu contamination is more important in bare bottom tanks, tanks without a calcium sink, and in larval rearing where organisms are very sensitive.

If you are still concerned you can run activated carbon and poly pads.
 
run carbon and cycle for at least a month minimally two water changes then stock lightly only some crabs and snails just to be sure oh yeah and rinse it out as well as you can with freshwater before trying above stated method
 
Ummm... There is this wonderful thing known as a copper test kit... dont worry about the copper unless there is copper to worry about run the cycle and test for copper if there is to high of levels then throw in the copper removers and/or carbon end of story. What are you trying to clean? calcuim deposits on the glass? as most discolouration tends to go away once the tank is full.
 
Kevin8888;3942463; said:
Ummm... There is this wonderful thing known as a copper test kit... dont worry about the copper unless there is copper to worry about run the cycle and test for copper if there is to high of levels then throw in the copper removers and/or carbon end of story. What are you trying to clean? calcuim deposits on the glass? as most discolouration tends to go away once the tank is full.
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I am actually less and less concerned about it the more I read. The tank has been sitting for 4+ years dry (still is) and I will take my time once I decide to get it rolling.

I have satisfied my itch with a 20L which I just started putting stuff in yesterday, I added a handful of caulerpa and have only one piece of rock right now. I think this will become my refugium, in the meantime it is gonna be a planted SW with a couple inverts.
 
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