after getting my new used tank home...(it's more like a 150 corner tank)I have discovered that someone has dosed this tank with copper meds??- or so it seems there are a few places that the silicone is blue. like at the very top bead and in the bottom of the overflow. thing is- it has the black plastic panels on the back over the glass- I guess this was a custom make for who ever bought it. so will the panels on the back also leak copper back into the system or is this just a myth? I really would like everyones advise on this. maybe someone has had luck keeping a reef in a dosed tank? This is just the tank, I will be adding new live rock and sand and the contents of my 45, so I don't want to take any chances. I remember when I first got in this hobby some say you can others say no. what has been your experience? Am I doomed on making this a reef? Start out with just sand and then test for copper as time goes?? Thanks for any advise and info in advance!! I'm kinda stressing on this one....
My 90 was used when I got it and it had copper and other meds used in it and I haven't had any problems that I can tell
Thanks!! just hearing that has made my day!! It's there anything that I need to use to wash it out?? bleach or something
I thnk Seachem makes something called Cuprisorb that helps remove copper. That may not be the name of it so a little research will be required. I would run that in there for a few months just to make sure no residual copper is lingering in the system. You can put it in a filte bag or nylon stocking in your sump. I would rather be safe than sorry.
Rna As Sam stated, there should be no issues. I wouldn't bleach it, just wash it out good. The glass and the plastic would not have absorbed any copper. Use a little viniger if you wish. Buy a Poly Pad and use it if you are worried, I use one in my QT when I want to romove copper or antibiotics. The issue has never been that you can't use a tank that has had copper in it, it the substrate and LR that is the issues as they do absorb it in great quanities and have been known to release it under some conditions. All tap water has some copper and there are people that use it straight out of the faucet for their tanks.
I agree with the above with this additional. Has this always been a saltwater tank? There are some freshwater medications (methelyne Blue for one) that turn the silicone blue. I don't use many meds so I'll leave it up to the pharmacy guys on here to tell you about med or additives that may have stained the silicone. I don't think you will have a problem as long as you use different substrate and rock.
I did buy about 50+lbs of rock with the tank, it will have to be recycled. I think it's been about 5 yrs since everything has been up and running. I cleaned the tank with water and a razor for some spots and is looking good!! I did find out that she had a wrasse and she did treat the tank with Pimifix- something with the active: Pimenta Raceosa?? The Rock I bought was in the tank at the time.... no copper used on the rock...sp she says... so is this med bad for rock- reef tanks?? will it leach out? I do plan on cycle this rock in a different container and checking he copper with a test just for piece of mind, but if this med is bad for corals and inverts...I may just have to find someone looking to start a fish only... it's some super nice rock. I really hope I can use it. But i don't want to tank any chances.
I thought Pimafix was an all natural medication? http://www.marinedepot.com/Aquarium...icals_API_MARS_Fishcare-AP1514-FIMEBF-vi.html
after doing some checking, it appears that this is a reef safe med. I do plan on testing the rock as it cycles for copper... at this point you just never know where "used" rock has been. (I think that might be the reason for some of my cyno in my 180- the lady I bought the system from didn't have a RO/DI. She had the rocks for 7+ years.... that's a lot of stuff from the tap water if it absorbs it.) What do you all think about me running a casscade with cabon or the seachem product as the new "used" rock cures?? I know it's usually just a heater, powerhead and the rock.
Get a poly filter pad and if there is anything in the rock, the pad which is white well turn the color of whatever it is absorbing, in the case of copper they turn noticably blue.
