Ridding the copper in my live rock

[jy808]

I was given some bad advice from my LFS to add copper into my DT, to help my clowns with some white spots that had occurred.

I dosed my DT with one only one dose of copper, and immediately stopped and started a QT. Obviously my live rock have absorbed the copper and can see noticeable changes on the live rock. A white substance has now occurred on some of the rock. I have already started cuprisorb to help rid the copper, and testing the water it shows 0 copper. I do understand that there will be traces remaining in the live rock.

As it is now fallowing, I'm now planning my path ahead and considering my options. I guess the appropriate path to take is to remove all the live rock and really start again with new live rock purchased from the LFS. Now I don't plan to get rid of the coral sand. I also have live rock in my sump as media (which I do not plan to remove).

As I had only put one dose into my 160Litre tank, it does seem minimal. Has anyone ever had a similar experiences or have and advice if the path I am taking would be appropriate? Would the small dose I put affect any anemone in the future? Below is a picture of my live rock that I plan to remove.

 

[siggy]

Well if nothing grows on the rock would be indicator. You could also buy a few cheap frags and see how they do.
I collect nice pieces of live rock and I always wonder where it's been. I too would like to know how to pull the crud out.

 

[Dbichler]

Unfortunately you will have to get new rock and sand and muriatic acid bath your equipment and vinegar wash your tank. That is only if you plan on inverts or corals. Still can do fowlr or definately use rock as hospital or quarantine tank.

 

[ScottR]

Honestly, it’s going to be a battle. If you fight the copper, you can keep fish. But inverts including corals is a no. Your sand and rocks need to be redone. Bad advice from LFS. Sorry

 

[crusso1993]

Wow, it's a shame that the LFS gave you such horrible advice. As has been mentioned, keeping any corals in that tank will require a complete reset of the system. I hope you inform the LFS of their erroneous advice and wish you all the best with whatever you decide to do with the system.

 

[ScottR]

Wow, it's a shame that the LFS gave you such horrible advice. As has been mentioned, keeping any corals in that tank will require a complete reset of the system. I hope you inform the LFS of their erroneous advice and wish you all the best with whatever you decide to do with the system.

+1

 

[siggy]

I dosed my DT with one only one dose of copper, testing the water it shows 0 copper

Send out a sample to Triton after you treat and some water changes, Your tank looks like it is just starting out so what would the cost be to treat the system and test or replace and start over.

 

[Han]

I used cuprisorb and polyfilters to remove copper from a tank that was dosed heavily with copper. It took 6 months and I did 50% water changes twice a month on top of the cuprisorb and polyfilters, but I’m starting to stock it with coral with no ill effects.

 

[ScottR]

A Hanna copper checker may help. Not sure if it can check low levels as I’ve never used it. But worth looking into and thinking about.

Edit: just wanted to add that sand and rock can leach copper into the water over time.

 

[jy808]

I used cuprisorb and polyfilters to remove copper from a tank that was dosed heavily with copper. It took 6 months and I did 50% water changes twice a month on top of the cuprisorb and polyfilters, but I’m starting to stock it with coral with no ill effects.

When you dosed your tank, did it have live rock?

 

[Han]

When you dosed your tank, did it have live rock?

Yes, and a deep sand bed.

 

[Jamie7907]

Unfortunately you will have to get new rock and sand and muriatic acid bath your equipment and vinegar wash your tank. That is only if you plan on inverts or corals. Still can do fowlr or definately use rock as hospital or quarantine tank.

Honestly, it’s going to be a battle. If you fight the copper, you can keep fish. But inverts including corals is a no. Your sand and rocks need to be redone. Bad advice from LFS. Sorry

Both of these are bad advice from people who don’t seem to understand chemistry. An acid bath would remove the copper rather quickly and is easy enough with the right equipment. More long term keep up the cuprisorb and carbon and the copper will leach out. Polyfilters and metasorb can work as well. When removed you will be able to keep any coral you like including sps and inverts. Also there is no need to use muriatic acid or vinegar on your tank or equipment, citric acid will do the job and is much safer.

 

[jy808]

Yes, and a deep sand bed.

Great to hear that you are slowly adding coral in. I really look forward to your outcome to give me a timeline.
All the best!
I already have one bag of cuprisorb in my sump at the moment, how much did you use?

 

[Han]

Great to hear that you are slowly adding coral in. I really look forward to your outcome to give me a timeline.
All the best!
I already have one bag of cuprisorb in my sump at the moment, how much did you use?

Thanks, I used one bag of cuprisorb in one filter sock, and a bag of chemi-pure in another. I had polyfilters in both socks as well. Not sure if the chemi pure helped with the copper, but I always used it anyway. I’d keep up with major water changes and leave the cuprisorb in even after you start restocking inverts just to be safe.

 

[jy808]

Both of these are bad advice from people who don’t seem to understand chemistry. An acid bath would remove the copper rather quickly and is easy enough with the right equipment. More long term keep up the cuprisorb and carbon and the copper will leach out. Polyfilters and metasorb can work as well. When removed you will be able to keep any coral you like including sps and inverts. Also there is no need to use muriatic acid or vinegar on your tank or equipment, citric acid will do the job and is much safer.

Sounds great, what are the basic requirements for an acid bath?

 

[ScottR]

Both of these are bad advice from people who don’t seem to understand chemistry. An acid bath would remove the copper rather quickly and is easy enough with the right equipment. More long term keep up the cuprisorb and carbon and the copper will leach out. Polyfilters and metasorb can work as well. When removed you will be able to keep any coral you like including sps and inverts. Also there is no need to use muriatic acid or vinegar on your tank or equipment, citric acid will do the job and is much safer.

Sorry man. Yes, cuprisorb will help to pull copper out but you need to check for copper levels before adding in inverts. Perhaps you overlooked my comment. I believe in testing because copper can slowly leach out of rock and sand. It will get stuck in places and eventually leach out. I’m sorry if I’m wrong.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

Keep cuprasorb In your tank for a few months you’ll be fine. Give it a couple more weeks and get an ATI water test. This will tell you where your coppers at. Since your fallow right now you could also do a massive water change.

 

[piranhaman00]

How much copper will rocks absorb? I added some to my bare QT tank to entice angels to eat. It worked but now Im worried about my copper concentration. Three small rocks.

 

[LOVEROCK]

Are these the white spots bottom ish centered ? Are they remnants of copper ?