You will want to do this.

forcrz6

Member
Ok, as most of you know I got a new tank (New to me 120g). I have not got it set up or done much but order parts for it. Now I got this from my LFS that I get all my corals, fish, ect from. Now I trust them as I have been going there a long time and I respect what they know.
this week is the 1st time that I have had a problem with something they sold me. I don't blame the LFS as they only go on what they are told buy the guy who had the tank Previously.
I have the tank here and I was doing some work on it and cleaning it out Ect. So I decided since I was doing water tests I would just see if there was any leftovers in the tank with the water I threw in there. (Cleaning Chemicals) So im testing. Im thinking Ammonia and some weird calc reading. NOPE I found Copper.
Scared that my water is full of copper I did a test on the Faucet water.
No copper there. I then tested my tank water in my Display. No copper there. I then think this has to be a false reading. So I completely rince down the tank, and scrub it with Baking powder and vin. Now I have a SHINY tank and glass. I throw some water in there that I test. No copper still.
I wait a few hours. I go back and test the water 1 more time. and what do you know. Copper is there. UGGGGG.
So now I have scraped the silicone and rewashed the tank. New silicone is on and I see no copper traces.
My point If you get a new tank. Test it out b4 you put ANYTHING in to it.
I still have a fear I might find copper But I will see as I get the tank filled. TY for listening to my rant.
 
T

tizzo

Guest
Holy cow! I always "heard" it can leach from the silicon, but I never read where it actually did!
Great advice.
 

philip_r5

Member
Man I hope you got it. I never tought about doing that. However, im a noob to saltwater and reading stuff liek this is very helpfull. Thanks
 

mkzimms

Member
i would return it. i would think if they were as good a LFS as you say they are that they would gladly take it back and sell it to someone using it for another application clearly marked. if you feel totally safe about it then keep it, but imo any trace of copper isn't worth the risk, especially a tank that large which will hold countless dollars worth of live stock.
+1 tizzo, heard of it but never seen a report of it first hand.
 
I've used numerous tanks that have had copper in them in the past with zero ill effects from copper bleeding from the silicone. It is more of a myth that copper residue will negetively effect your tank. There are such small amounts that are in the silicone they have basically no effect. Just make sure you give it a good cleaning and it will be fine.
 

forcrz6

Member
Well now that I have left the water in the tank for a week and a half since I put in the New silicone. There are no readings of copper.
I agree about the LFS. But then again They did not know as they were selling the tank for someone getting out of the hobby. So With out the information disclosed to them I can not blame them at all. But I'm glad the issue was resolved by 2 tubes of new silicone.
 
Top