Copper Removal Chemicals

[caymanlovers]

We are in the process of removing copper from our 50 gallon FO tank so we can convert from UGF to LS and LR. Have been using carbon but was wondering if the copper removal chemicals are:
a) effective?
b) do they just substitute one bad chemical for another?

 

[broomer5]

If you are planning on setting up a reef tank with inverts I would be careful. I know money is always a consideration, but if you are going to stay with a 50 gallon setup - personally I would just go buy a new tank. Time and effort involved with success in this hobby vs. the risk of not getting all the copper out - in my opinion I would go with a brand new tank and move forward from there knowing I've eliminated the risk.
Other than that - I know of no 100% sure fire way to insure all the copper is out.
Broomer
[ May 07, 2001: Message edited by: broomer5 ]

 

[caymanlovers]

Broomer5 - OUCH! I was hoping for something a little less drastic but I have checked some of the old posts and am aware of the problem of absorption by tank components, substrate, etc.
We used CopperSafe and someone indicated that does not cause as much of a problem for removal - anyone have some input?

 

[jimi]

There is no need to buy antoher tank. Along with carbon I highly suggest you buy some Poly-Filters they remove copper better then carbon and release nothing. They turn blue when removing copper. They remove other organics too. You just put them in your sump or high flow area and they will remove the copper. If you want to feel a little more secure, when your copper reads zero just keep one floating around in the sump all of the time to catch any unlikely copper that may be released later and change it when it turns dark brown or black.

 

[caymanlovers]

Jimi - Thanks for the advice.
Steve

 

[beth]

I'm in the process of converting to LS and LR too. I setup a 20gal QT for my fish--cost less than $40 and just broke down the entire system. You're going to get rid of filtration system [ufg] and substrate [cc] anyway, what else is left?? Organically compromised water from ugf and copper is all you left in your tank, right? Setup the QT, clean out your tank, stock with LS and LR, new clean water, let cycle and re-indro your livestock.

 

[caymanlovers]

Thanks Beth. The problem I see is keeping 5 fish in the little tank while cycling the big tank. Any idea how long it will take with LR (I will cure it first) and LS?
I do have a Fluval 304 hooked up to the big tank now and it should have its bio filtration established by the time I want to take out the UGF, (planning to do it in July.) Assuming I get all the copper out of the 304's bio media, I could use that for bio filter while the LR and LS "get going." Do you think that would work?

 

[dseiler]

If you use CURED LR and LS you should have almost no cycle. This is assuming you have the 1.5 to 2lbs of LR per gal of water. If you don't, the cycle will still be quicker than without.
HTH

 

[caymanlovers]

Dseiler - We are just down the road from you, in Los Alamos. We shop at the Orcutt store. Will they be a good supply for the live rock and sand or should we look elsewhere?