Reusing old copper exposed Rock

[rickh]

I have a bunch old LR from a FO tank. The tank was treated with copper based medications years ago. Is it safe to use this rock in a Reef tank or will residual copper be a problem? Thanks

 

[MJT82]

I have used rock that was in my tank when I wiped it out using a brass fitting (leeches copper) for about 3 years now... I got rid of the copper in the tank via various methods, and there is no detectable copper in my tank now...

I would say play it safe and put the rock in some fresh salt water in a rubbermaid container with some circulation for a couple of days and see if you can test any copper in the water. If not, use it IMO...

 

[demonsp]

A good rinse, some activated carbon and a few water changes would take care of this.

 

[happyface888]

I have read that there are people who have dosed copper and later turned it into a full blown reef tank.

 

[Jamie1210]

RichH, I am in a similar situation: I'd like to turn my FOWLR tank, which I've dosed copper with, into a reef tank, but don't want to replace 60 lbs of live rock

 

[AquaReeferMan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11022785#post11022785 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by happyface888
I have read that there are people who have dosed copper and later turned it into a full blown reef tank.

I am one of those people. I used to have a FOWLR and I treated it with copper a couple of time. Then I turned it into a Reef tank. This was before I was aware of this site and aware that the copper could leak back into the tank. Well it never happened. I am still using the same rock 3 years later with no problems. Just run some carbon and throw in some Poly filters. This should remove it. Also test for copper just to be sure though.

 

[NewMariner]

Just out of curiosity, do any of ya'll that have used this "copper-laden" rock have any inverts such as shrimp? Supposedly they are supposed to be sensitive to copper..

 

[rickh]

Thanks for the info. The inverts are the main concern.

 

[mbbuna]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=861048&highlight=copper

 

[rickh]

Thanks I have read this before. R

 

[KDodds]

Just to play it safe, I like the bucket method, almost like "re-curing", but I'd add Cuprisorb, or similar, just to play it safe.