Copper in FOWLR

[BadOleRoss]

I have a 220 and am treating the tank with copper. Just started this process last night. My question....Does the copper kill the bacteria that is in the live rock detroying its filtration abiity. I know the rock cannot be used in a reef tank situation after this but have I effectivly destroyed my filter?

 

[WaterKeeper]

It pretty much kills everything on the rock including the coralline. The same goes for any LS. You're pretty much back to square one and will need to clean the tank very well. I like to use citric acid but a muriatic soak will do; rinse it several times with plain tap. After cleaning it may be wise to fill it and check for copper after a couple of days. If it is OK then you can get new LR and LS. You want to cure the rock in separate curing vats as you already have fish. Use the tank you get to store the fish as a hospital tank from now on. Sorry I didn't have better news.

 

[BadOleRoss]

I was affraid of that. I noticed the water today was somewhat coludy and was affraid the biological filter was shot. Guess I was right. I have only treated the tank with the first of seven doses. If I stop at this point is there any hope of saving anything or has the damage been done?

 

[WaterKeeper]

Sorry Ross but is unlikely at this point the rock can be saved. You might want to pull it before your tank undergoes an ammonia spike.

 

[ledford1]

I hope your LFS didn't put you up to this.

What kind/brand of Copper did you use?

 

[BadOleRoss]

The LFS had me treat the tank with Melafix, which according to that label that came with it is somewhat reef safe. It should not have been a problem in a FOWLR. I think the issue is going to be with the 2nd product called Copper Powder. It contains 1.26% copper sulfate. Ammonia levels are at 0.5.

 

[ledford1]

I'm not familiar with Copper Powder.

Sounds like you need to start doing water changes to get that ammonia down.

If you can, you might want to run Cuprisorb or at least carbon in your filter to help suck out some of the copper. Removing the LR, like mentioned above, is not a bad idea either. You should also get a Copper test kit, if you don't already have one.

Keep a constant check on the pulse of your tank. Keep a close on on your water levels to see what actions you need to take.

Good luck.

 

[BadOleRoss]

I have already changed about 50 gallons of water and has added carbon to 2 HOB filters. I have a copper test kit on the way that was ordered a week ago but its not here yet. Might run to the LFS and pick one up. Im still on the fence about the live rock but if the ammonia continues to bean issue I will pull it out. There is about 180lbs of it! I am going to pull the LR rubble from my sump and replace it with bioballs for now.

 

[grupper]

If the copper kills of the bacteria, then it seems that any QT treated with copper would quickly have a toxic amount of ammonia. The copper however will kill off all of the copods and amphipods in your tank, and that will cause an ammonia spike.

 

[BadOleRoss]

My ammonia went from 0.5 to 5.0 in 2 hours. I think its fair to say that the copper is killing all of the bacteria I had in my tank. I had removed all of the live rock and have changed all of the water that I could. I am tapped out. The wife is stopping by the LFS to get more Ammo-Loc. I have run out of that as well. Is the live rock good for anything other then the Zen garden I started with my old crushed coral? Is there any way to get the copper out so it will support bacteria again? I plan on ordering all new live rock and substrate anyway but its a shame to throw it all away. Man, what a day! I know Ammo-Loc will detoxify the ammonia but will the ammonia still be detectable on a test kit?

 

[BadOleRoss]

Tom, just how much citric acid will I need to accomplish this little cleaning task I have ahead of me?

 

[WaterKeeper]

For a 220 about 2-3 lbs citric should do. For muriatic about two gallons. One additional thing about copper, it bounds to calcium carbonate substrates like LR and LS. I once thought I had a method to decontaminate rock and sand using a EDTA solution but it proved to be inefficient. I wish I could be of more help.

 

[BadOleRoss]

Tom, you have been a great help. You saved my fish. If you had not told me about the liverock I may not have watched for the ammonia spike. It's only money. Thanks again