Copper leaching from equipment

[acromike]

hello randy
I have a tune auto top of I used in a qt tank

The tank has been broken down for one year and the device has been out of water

When the tank was running I did use low dose cupramine.
Do you think this device can be used in a reef? Should I worry about detrimental effect of copper leaching from plastic float switch a year later? Wouldn't copper degrade over this time?

 

[4FordFamily]

Yeah it will be no problem. I've used copper soaked equipment and even entire reef systems out of what were once completely copper treated including rock sand and all.

Run it for 10 days or so in salt water with water moving across cuprisorb and carbon. The water flow through the media is critical.

I've removed .6 ppm cupramine in 10 days completely and within 3 days after that had a fully functioning and thriving reef tank. I think the copper absorption is permanent myth is never going to die, but I assure you it's just that, a myth.

What I suggested you do above is above and beyond. Honestly, you could probably clean with bleach, vinegar, and water and have the same effect. I would do that anyway, and then run in water with the media suggested.

Reefs often have low residual copper levels whether you know it or not. It's no concern in my experience.

I've had tanks that used copper that I've converted to reef (dosed display tanks and removed all inverts) probably 6+ times over the years without any issues. I am about to do so again in a couple weeks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Copying from the related thread:

If it is all plastic without gunky stuff on it, I'd clean it carefully, perhaps with vinegar and scrubbing and it is probably OK.

If it has organic or calcium carbonate type deposits on it, those need to be removed as they can hold a lot of copper.