live rock

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abeandlulu

Guest
I bought this set up off CL yesterday. I really only wanted it cause it had a couple pieces of liverock. When I got there, there was more than I thought. Over 30lbs. of rock. I got it for $25. My questions is can copper leach into live rock? The girl that was selling it said that they never had any coral in it and she didn't remember if they put any chemicals in the tank. I have the tank up and running but I want to put the rock in my 90 gallon reef. But I dont want to hurt anything. Should i let it cycle in the tank then put it in my 90. Or will it be OK to just put the rock in the tank now? Any suggestions will help. Thanks
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by abeandlulu
http:///forum/post/3142952
My questions is can copper leach into live rock?

Yes. It will not dissipate out of the rock easily so it won't have much effect of most inverts. The problem will be with snails, urchins, crabs and any other invert that consumes algae that is growing on the contaminated rock.
The rock will also not function as well for filtration because it will be a long time before it becomes truly live rock again. The bacteria will populate it quickly but the worms and other needed animals will not readily adapt, in high populations, to a rock contaminated with copper.
 
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eric b 125

Guest
there are copper tests you can get, the LFS's around here sell them. i say you pull a rock out and test the water that comes off the rock.
 
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abeandlulu

Guest
i was thinking of taking a water sample to my LFS and let them test the water with there high dollar equipment
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Like I mentioned, the copper will not easily dissolve back into the water. The proper way to test would be to use an acid to dissolve the rock and then test the result of that. Not something the typical hobbiest kit can do.
 
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abeandlulu

Guest
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/3143021
Like I mentioned, the copper will not easily dissolve back into the water. The proper way to test would be to use an acid to dissolve the rock and then test the result of that. Not something the typical hobbiest kit can do.
I just talked to the owner of my LFS and he said to let it circulate in the tank for about a week. test the water if there was any trace of copper to run carbon through it for about 3-4 weeks. does that sound right?
I cant hardly stand it now. If this tank is going to be up and running in my bouns room for 2 weeks its not going to come down. I have already been looking for some new lights and filtration for this thing already. Does any one know of a faster was to check for copper?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Do you have a CO2 tank? You can use that to acidify some water and place the rock in the lowPH water for a day or two. That should be enough to dissolve some of the copper if it's present. It will also dissolve some of the rock so don't be surprised by that.
A level of 0.05ppm is considered non-toxic to most marine organisms but ideally it should be below 0.01ppm.
 
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abeandlulu

Guest
No I dont have a CO2 tank. I put some carbon in the tank this afternoon. I will just have to let it sit for a while. And hope I dont get to attached to the tank.
I was thinking I would like some seahorses.. But I dont know to much about them.
 
pbnj

pbnj

Member
Don't mean to hi-jack, but what about rock that has been exposed to KICK-ICH?
I know there's no copper in KICK-ICH, but what about the 5-nitroimidazoles it contains? Will it leach as well (rock has been dried out for over 6 months)?
 
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abeandlulu

Guest
Originally Posted by pbnj
http:///forum/post/3143321
Don't mean to hi-jack, but what about rock that has been exposed to KICK-ICH?
I know there's no copper in KICK-ICH, but what about the 5-nitroimidazoles it contains? Will it leach as well (rock has been dried out for over 6 months).
I dont know.. Good question maybe someone can answer that. Do seahorses need tall tanks? what kind of lighting do they need? I know nothing about them but I do think there are pretty.
 
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abeandlulu

Guest
today I went and got a copper test. Just API copper test. Tested the water and the result was clear, no trace.. I know is has only been 3 days but I was thinking today. When I picked up the rock they had just taken down the tank. when I was moving the live rock from there buckets to mine I found a hermit crab. arnt they vonerable to copper also??
 
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abeandlulu

Guest
ok. so today I decided to put the rock in the 90 gallon. Tested the water 0 copper, and It was already starting to grow coraline,and it had a little tube worm feather sticking out of one the rocks. So I think the rock is fine. Here are some before and after pics. let me know what you think.

 
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