A Dime, how bad is it?

[GL]

I went to do a routine water change. When I went to clean out the 25g trash can I use I realized there was a few inches of water left over from the last water change. Not a problem, I always rinse it out with bleach before using it but during which I found a dime in the bottom of the can. It is definitely rusty and had been in there for some time.

Now the question: Did the copper in the dime contaminate the can to the point where it should not be used for water changes anymore? Or any other metal for that point?

Hate to toss it but I don't want to take any chances either.

Anyone?

Thanks,

 

[Freed]

.

 

[GL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8195665#post8195665 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Freed
There is no copper in a dime. More than likely zinc and nickel. Don't know if they are bad for saltwater but I am sure someone else will chime in here.

From a search on google:

Dimes are made out of an alloy (a mixture of metals) of 91.67 percent copper and 8.33 percent nickel (before 1965, the dime was made out of silver). The dime has a edge with 118 ridges. This coin is 17.91 mm in diameter and is 1.35 mm thick - it is the smallest, thinnest and lightest US coin.

 

[cristhiam]

very bad for a reef tank. At my LFS someone throw pennies in the display tank and the owner couldn't figure it out why the corals starter dying. He found the pennies behing the rock work.

 

[Freed]

WHOAAAAAAAAA!!!! I will delete my lack of knowledge in a bit.

 

[GL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8195885#post8195885 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cristhiam
very bad for a reef tank. At my LFS someone throw pennies in the display tank and the owner couldn't figure it out why the corals starter dying. He found the pennies behing the rock work.

I know it is bad..... would it be enough to permanently contaminate the trash can like it does if you medicate a tank?

 

[boxfishpooalot]

just rinse it out well, should be fine. You might want to soak the can with some acid like muriatic acid, or tons of vinigar.

The purpose of doing those is to get the metalics left in the tub, that may be stuck to dissolve. Then rinse it very well.

Or you may want to spend some money on a new can just to avoid it all.

 

[GL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8196118#post8196118 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by boxfishpooalot

Or you may want to spend some money on a new can just to avoid it all.

That is what I will most likley do, it's just not worth the risk.

 

[cristhiam]

after he discovered the pennies he did water changes, not sure what else but he's reef is fine now. This was a while ago.

 

[leeweber85]

He must have ****ed someone off!

I wouldn't think the dimes could be any worse then using bleach to rinse it out.

 

[outy]

i would just take the dime out rinse with fresh water and be done with it. there is no problem here move along lol

not enough copper dissolved to do anything or the FO guys would use dimes to treat there fish lol

 

[GL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8196863#post8196863 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by leeweber85

I wouldn't think the dimes could be any worse then using bleach to rinse it out.

There is no problem with bleach, it dissipates and leaves no traces what so ever.

 

[Nabber86]

Lets back up here for a minute......

If the dime had been there for "some time" (presumebly, for many water changes) and you have not had any problems with your tank, how could removing the dime cause any problems?

 

[RichConley]

Seiourly, Nabber is right here. Dont worry about it.

 

[Nabber86]

Sometimes you just have to clear your mind of reef keeping-induced paranoia, take a step back, and think about it for a minute.

 

[GL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8197862#post8197862 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nabber86
Lets back up here for a minute......

If the dime had been there for "some time" (presumebly, for many water changes) and you have not had any problems with your tank, how could removing the dime cause any problems?

Some time = Some time since the last water change which is about 30-40 days. I'm not sure when it got tossed in it.


I guess though if you think about it all the water coming into the house runs through copper, I always wondered about that. Also I've read where people make home made frag plugs leaving them to age in the toilet tank, ever see blue lines in the tank, copper!
Why isn't that a problem....

oh well... It was mostly curiosity anyway, it is only a few bucks for a new can if need be.

 

[wrott]

I would not worry about 1 dime in your can--just rinse it out thoroughly.

 

[Kent E]

I don't think the copper leaches into the water from the pipes. I never knew why. I assume that instead of the pipe leaching it just get coated from the minerals in the water and then is sealed somewhat. It would be neat if someone actually knew.

 

[scarter]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8202614#post8202614 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nabber86
Sometimes you just have to clear your mind of reef keeping-induced paranoia.

LMAO, hahah, I had a HOB U-style overflow years ago that would flood the house all the time when the syphon broke. I still bolt out of bed whenever I hear the sound of water trickeling. I havent had a flood in a while and it still wakes me at night. LMAO

 

[Nabber86]

I have had more than my share of floods from really stoopit mistakes . I have a 75-gallon upstairs with a 30-gallon sump and 20-gallon fuge in the basement. It's unbelievable how much water I have spilled by closing or opening a valve at the wrong time.

IMHO - Keeping the water in my tank is THE number 1 priority in reef keeping. All else is incendental.