extracting copper from live rock

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7550256#post7550256 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by affan
Well, obviously the rock has absorbed copper --and like JmLee said, copper is extremely harmful to all inverts-- and the copper is now acting like a film on top of the rock and keeping anything from growing on it. You can cook the rock, and cook it for a very very long time. Even then, the only sure way, I think, to tell if the copper has been removed is by placing it in saltwater to see if anything grows on it. Replacing the rock entirely would be the route I would go.

Most of this thread is crap, and most people dont know what theyre talking about.


It can't bond and leach at the same, its one or the other. Let the tank run for a couple months, drip kalk, and run some of those absorbant filter pads. Replace all the water.


Talk to Randy about this. Replacing the rock is silly.

 

[justinrp97]

I ran into a similar problem. But I purchased a used tank that had been treated with copper (unknowingly). It had live sand and 2 pieces of rock. After moving all of my stuff from my small tank to the new one I lost all inverts and corals. I did a ton of research and asking. I ended up taking down the tank, getting rid of all the sand. Scrubbing the tank and all components with first a 1:10 bleach mix. Rinsed, then a 50:50 vinegar water mix. Thoroughly rinsed everything. Set tank and sump back up, and ran it with fresh water for 2-3 days. No copper. Tested with polyfliter too. Since I had moved my live rock into this tank i was worried about it. I threw out the 2 pieces that came with the tank. My rock I soaked overnight in a bleach water mix, then soaked in vinegar, then rinsed very very thoroughly. Got new live sand, filled with RO water and started again. It has been up for over a month now with no problems. I have periodically tested for copper and do not see it. So while it was alot of work, i am confident i dont' have traces of copper in my tank anywhere. hope this helps.

 

[dgunn]

Hey guys, thanks for your great responses.

It seems as though the responses are varied:
Rich says don't replace the rock and ddenham says don't use hermits.

Migston says to cook with kalkwasser (a base) and bryndle says to cook with muriatic acid those two combined should yield a salt!

I will post on Randy's forum and see if he will offer any advice on the tank and sump itself.

Justin, thanks for your response that is really what I was looking for, some one with real world experience, I only wish that your system had been restarted for a year or so to know better results.

I spoke with the owner of the tank today and he is willing to replace all the rock and remove the substrate and start again with all new rock.

He told me that he spent about $800 for the rock @ 5.00/lb and that he doesn't want to keep it for anything so I can have it.
So I should be ready to start cooking this weekend...

I'll take some pics and keep you guys informed...
thanks, doug