Converting a Freshwater tank questions?

[95harley]

Read threw a few posts but never saw exactly what I was looking for.
Tank has been up and running for about 3 years since new.
1. Never used any copper treatment(or any medicines) on this tank, but used well water that had some trace amounts of copper in it (from old house pipes I'd bet). Should I be concerned?
2. Overflow boxes has brown and green algae inside them and can't get in them to clean them without ripping out all plumbing. Is it important to get all the freshwater algae out or will it die and cause no ill effects?
3. Same questions with my plumbing hoses on my wet/dry? Will the brown and green algae in the tubes cause issues?
I do not want to clean with any bleach or anything harsh, but by the same token I don't want to set all this up and dump $2000 of LR and my fish into certain death.
Thanks...

 

[cjason3041]

i converted a fw a few years ago, everything is still fine...3 years, i never added any copper but i got the tank used from someone who also had been using it as FW and had well water...unfortunantly i might not be too much help, but it is always a risk

 

[phishface]

IMO use ro/di water for sw setup. Let tank cycle and you should be fine. Do some research b4 any decisions are made, changing what you want to keep can be very costly. Good luck.

 

[95harley]

OK, let me be very clear.
This will be my second SW tank and I already have the RO/DI unit (wouldn't do it any other way) so I don't need the basics.
I just simply want to know if the FW copper traces will cause problems?
And will the FW algae (brown & green) in the overflows and wet/dry lines cause me any long term isssues? Or will they simply fade away?
Just debating on how much MORE cleaning and breakdown is needed before I add my RO water and salt back.
I have already removed and cleaned my Bio Balls and we/dry as well.

 

[1journeyman]

How big is the tank you are using? Is it worth the risk?
I can't tell you what the risk is. I'm guessing by you asking though you're always going to look at that tank and wonder....

 

[95harley]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
How big is the tank you are using? Is it worth the risk?
I can't tell you what the risk is. I'm guessing by you asking though you're always going to look at that tank and wonder....

The SW tank up and running is a 75g, the one being converted is a 240g.

 

[chele]

I *think* that copper breaks down eventually, like in a months time, so unless you're adding tapwater to top off, it should be gone. I say it breaks down because if you regularly use copper, you have to keep adding it every month.

 

[socal57che]

I have heard that the silicon used on glass tanks can hold copper and release it into the water column in small amounts. Beware of garage sale tanks for this reason. I would say that if you never treated with copper the amount would be so minute (if any) that it would not leech into your new water column.
Cleaning with bleach (mild solution) is fine, just let it sun dry thoroughly.
The following article was copied from an article concerning marine aquarium care.
Save some pennies by learning how to clean and rejuvenate old clogged air stones to reuse them with these simple instructions from your Guides.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Over 2 to 4 Days
Here's How:
Rinse the air stone(s) in freshwater, lighting scrubbing any excess build up off the outside.
Allow to air dry.
Boil in freshwater for 10 minutes.
Allow to air dry.
Soak in a solution of 1 part household bleach to 3 parts freshwater for 24 hours.
Remove from bleach solution and attach an air line from an air pump to the stone and place it in a container of freshwater, letting it run for 5 minutes.
Remove from freshwater and continue to let the air pump through the stone for 5 minutes.
Allow to completely air dry, then store for future use.
Tips:
To help remove hard calcium deposits, vinegar can be used in place of bleach in Step 5, or you can repeat Steps 5-8 alternating with both solutions.
DO NOT dry air stones of any kind in an oven, as this will melt the plastic hose coupling.
The above steps can be reduced, but for the best results, do ALL of them.
By repeatedly drying the stones, this allows them to absorb the different liquids and then expel the reduced contaminants.
This cleaning process can be used for any type of air stone material; i.e. wood, ceramic, mineral, etc.
What You Need:
Bleach
Vinegar
Freshwater
Water Container
Used Air Stone(s)
More How To's from your Guide To Saltwater Aquariums

 

[costa13]

You could always soak your overflowbox and pipes in white vinegar to clean the algea off.