Copper and temperature probe

TheEngineer · Oct 16, 2016

I'm running a hospital tank with copper right now for some fish with velvet. I use a heater controller as a second layer of protection and it just occurred to me that I may now need to buy another heater controller.

Is there worry that the copper will soak into the temperature probe and then leach back into the water? The probe is plastic.

cmcoker · Oct 16, 2016

icecool2 said:
I'm running a hospital tank with copper right now for some fish with velvet. I use a heater controller as a second layer of protection and it just occurred to me that I may now need to buy another heater controller.

Is there worry that the copper will soak into the temperature probe and then leach back into the water? The probe is plastic.

I'm not sure of the answer but I built a heater controller using an inkbird stc 1000. The temp probe is replaceable. I actually have it wired into a mini audio jack so I can swap out temp probes to dry when using TTM. Just a suggestion if copper leaching is an issue. The temp sensors are likely $5-8 on Amazon..

TheEngineer · Oct 16, 2016

cmcoker said:
I'm not sure of the answer but I built a heater controller using an inkbird stc 1000. The temp probe is replaceable. I actually have it wired into a mini audio jack so I can swap out temp probes to dry when using TTM. Just a suggestion if copper leaching is an issue. The temp sensors are likely $5-8 on Amazon..

Thanks. I saw a few of those on Amazon. In may just order a new one and keep all of this equipment as hospital only now.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 16, 2016

I don't think copper will significantly penetrate into plastic, so careful cleaning to remove organic and inorganic crud on the surface should be adequate.

TheEngineer · Oct 16, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I don't think copper will significantly penetrate into plastic, so careful cleaning to remove organic and inorganic crud on the surface should be adequate.

Vinegar bath sufficient?