Complete noob mistake

[samanthameeks]

I have been working on setting up my 40 gallon breeder, but I was having a big problem: keeping coral and invertebrates in good health. No worries. I moved everything over to the 75G, so it all has survived.

Yesterday, during dinner I had a rather embarrassing epiphany moment....I used a brass swing check valve that I picked up at Lowe's on-the-fly when I was doing the plumbing for my sump.

Brass! I know. Complete noob mistake. ::embarrassed::

So, I have taken all coral and inverts out of the tank. I have done a 20 percent water change, and I have put new carbon in the filter.

Any other advice on how to doctor the tank? My biggest concern is how much and how many water changes I should do?

Hope everyone gets a /smile from this.

 

[andywe]

Run Carbon. It helps absorb alot of different stuff. It might help a little.

 

[AdrianBryce]

if there is nothing in the tank at the moment, I would do a complete water change.

 

[pelagic7]

Change all the filter media if you have any..

 

[Jason S]

+1 on all of the above, and I would test for copper on a regular basis before putting inverts or scaleless fish in it and after even if you are reading zero. It may not hurt to run a heavy metal sponge in case it leeched out some copper into the LR, but make sure you follow the instructions to the letter. Test before you add the sponge though. You may have copper but never know it if you do not test first, and in fact, I woud test for copper before you do anything to the tank to see if it is there. Even if it does not register, I would still go through the steps as mentioned to be safe.
http://www.kentmarine.com/products/kent-toxic-metal-sponge.htm

I will warn you that if copper did leech out, it can get in the acrylic, silicone, rock, sand, etc. It is a beast to get rid of, and some say that you can not ever be rid of it(but I disagree) It takes a very long time, but can be done in my opinion.

 

[samanthameeks]

All filter media changed. Considering doing a complete water change. Thanks for the suggestions!!

 

[NeveSSL]

Heavy Metal Sponge... new band name right there...



Brandon

 

[Jason S]

Hehe. heavy metal... toxic metal... you get the point

 

[samanthameeks]

suggestions on where to get a Toxic Metal Sponge?

 

[zef004]

Chris at the critter he can order it for you. It works great and also pure pads work to. Ebay has they on stock the pads.

 

[NeveSSL]

suggestions on where to get a Toxic Metal Sponge?

They're flyin' out of my guitar amp! ROCK 'N FREAKIN ROLL!!! Mine are even tube powered! Valve powered for those who may be Europeans.



Brandon

 

[ameares8]

Brandon- Have you been hitting the "Heavy Metal Sponge" a little too heavy lately? lol

 

[samanthameeks]

lol. You guys are cracking me up. Got some sponge today and new filter pads. Let's see how it goes.

 

[ameares8]

Good luck, hope that takes care of your issue.

 

[NeveSSL]

Brandon- Have you been hitting the "Heavy Metal Sponge" a little too heavy lately? lol

Nah, I've been spray painting the back of my 30g cube that's going to my office soon.

Brandon

 

[samanthameeks]

Thought you guys might like an update. The heavy metal sponge and new carbon/filter floss is working wonders. Did two 20 percent water changes and added a good 15g to the 40 when I got my sump back up and running again. A sebae and o'clown and various snails and crabs are doing very well. I put my first coral frag of a green button polyp in this morning, and it has stayed bloomed since so things are looking up. Thanks for all the help!

 

[Jason S]

Glad to hear it