Reef Help Huge Dilema

[magyk]

Here's the deal
Plan on turning my 75 to a reef but in the past I have used copper to treat my fish if they were sick
Now I went to buy VHO's today but it was recommended that it would be extremely hard to establish a reef tank b/c copper gets into everything sand/rock/filters.
What can I do and is this correct
I did know copper was a no no for reefs but can I turn my tank into a reef
Please help

 

[nas19320]

I have the same problem. Not from using copper medication but from some tapwater I used. I heard that Seachem Cuprisorb can help to eliminate copper so that is what I am gonna try. Some say its impossible to have invertebrates after having copper in the tank but I have heard of a few say that they have done it. I guess I'll find out.

 

[michaeltx]

the rocks and sand will hold the copper and slowly release it back to the water (just a guess though) so if it was me I would replace the sand and rock to be safe. aslo get a test kit fill the tank ith saltwater for a few days and the test the water and see if the copper shows up on the test kit.
you might try testing the water that is currently in the tank and see if the copper shows up on the test kit.
what meds or whatever did you use to get sopper in the tank. alot of ich meds arenty copper based there are a few that are based on something else cant remember what though.
Mike

 

[magyk]

Spoke with my LFS and tested the water
He told me that the copper would release and then dissolve
and that if I start slowly that I'd be okay
Any other opinions

 

[michaeltx]

if it shows copper on the test and there is nothing to take it out of the tank then it will still be there and slowly kill the inverts.
yeah it will go into the water colum but it wont just vanish from the tank with out something taking it out.
Mike

 

[bang guy]

I would not recommend using rock, sand, or even the tank that has been exposed to copper medication.

 

[magyk]

I bought 4 boxes of seachem which takes out the Copper
It seems everything has copper so I plan on activly take out the copper with this product and carbon and that should do the trick
I was also told to raise the calcium levels any other suggestions

 

[goldrush]

Please let us know if we are all wrong about the problems you are going to have due to copper. It sounds like you are going to listen to your LFS,so share the outcome with us,O.K.?

 

[magyk]

I heard snails would be the best bet and thank for some dam positive input
I plan on taking it slow and maybe getting rid of some of the lace rock and sand
I will also be doing frequent water changes to bring down to nothing
I 've heard that it can be done and I will post my results
If anyone has any more opinions please let me know what else I can do

 

[magyk]

P.S. someone in this hobby must have gone through what I'm going through
Please let me know