Switch to reef after using copper?

[lorin]

Can I switch to a Reef Tank after using copper in FO tank? I have a 72 gallon tank with CC. At this time I have 1 trigger fish in the aquarium. The tank has been set up for around a 1 1/2. During that time I have used cupramine in the tank when I add fish. I quit using cupramine about two or three months ago, but the copper is still leaching out from the CC. The copper level at this time is .2 ppm. Can I remove the CC, water, carbon from the filters and clean the tank to make it safe for a reef tank? Will the copper leach out from under the sealer?

 

[mr . salty]

Sorry te o say,but this tank will never be a sucessful reef tank...The copper WILL kill any corals and inverts you try to add...

 

[nacl-h2o]

I hate to disagree with Salty, but it has been done. You would have to get rid of the CC, carbon, any LR if present, and ornamints if present and all other filter media. And yes your remaining problem would be the seals. But if you did that and set it back up right, treated it with a copper remover, and gave it some time 6 months to a year and tested again you might be in the clear.
There is your problem thou, there is no way to know how much copper is in those seals and how long it will take to leach most of it out. It could be quite some time before the tank would be usable for inverts. And the cost compared to the wait may be prohibitive. It is a lot of work and cost and useally people just buy a second tank or buy a new one and sell theirs. Good Luck either way you go. HTH

 

[frankl15207]

Originally posted by MR . SALTY:
<strong>Sorry te o say,but this tank will never be a sucessful reef tank...The copper WILL kill any corals and inverts you try to add...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Not sure of where, but I have read the same thing. If copper was ever used, it will never be reef safe again. I only wish I could find the source right now.

 

[lorin]

Thank You for the help. I still don't trust the seals and I hate to wait a year for the copper to leach out from the seals. If I decide to start a reef tank I will buy a second tank.