How To Remove Copper From DT

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Do you know how low the ph went? I do keep my ph around 8.1-8.3 but I didn’t when I was trying to remove the copper out.

Below 7.5, which is as I recall the point where some calcium based material start to dissolve. Much more release was seen below 6.4
Jay

 

[Miami Reef]

Below 7.5, which is as I recall the point where some calcium based material start to dissolve. Much more release was seen below 6.4
Jay

If my ph ever went that low; copper would be the least of my worries lol.

 

[Aries360]

I do. And they are fine.

Did you run copper in your display tank like I had to do? So I’m guessing after multiple water changes and Cuprisorb you can run coral and invertebrates again?

 

[Miami Reef]

Did you run copper in your display tank like I had to do? So I’m guessing after multiple water changes and Cuprisorb you can run coral and invertebrates again?

Yes, I added copper power 2.5ppm to my display for 6 weeks. I didn’t do water changes, just cuprisorb. I currently have corals and inverts doing well + no copper with ICP.

 

[Aries360]

I do. And they are fine.

And you dosed your main tank with copper too?

 

[4FordFamily]

To reiterate -- I would advise AGAINST copper in a DT. Though I've had success, and others have - in many cases it is probably not best practice. That said, it CAN be done, it seems by my example and others! :)

 

[Miami Reef]

To reiterate -- I would advise AGAINST copper in a DT. Though I've had success, and others have - in many cases it is probably not best practice. That said, it CAN be done, it seems by my example and others! :)

I completely agree. I wouldn’t do copper in a DT again.

 

[52728299]

I'll be cleaning out a tank after running copper power in it for around 10 days. Hoping I'll be able to clean it and sell it after, would be a shame to have to toss it. But for sure will use this thread for help when the time comes. As of now there's sand but no rock and I will be tossing the sand after.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I'll be cleaning out a tank after running copper power in it for around 10 days. Hoping I'll be able to clean it and sell it after, would be a shame to have to toss it. But for sure will use this thread for help when the time comes. As of now there's sand but no rock and I will be tossing the sand after.

The tank itself won't have copper on it that can't be easily rinsed off. Just don't reuse any carbonate material like sand or rocks.

Jay

 

[52728299]

The tank itself won't have copper on it that can't be easily rinsed off. Just don't reuse any carbonate material like sand or rocks.

Jay

Thanks makes me feel better when ready to sell it. Anything tricky for cleaning plumbing, equipment? It's a mid sized reefer with skimmer and heater. Just clean, rinse dry? I ordered polyfilter pads, carbon and cuprisorb

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thanks makes me feel better when ready to sell it. Anything tricky for cleaning plumbing, equipment? It's a mid sized reefer with skimmer and heater. Just clean, rinse dry? I ordered polyfilter pads, carbon and cuprisorb

Rinsing with white vinegar will help. Copper absorbs onto calcium based material and adsorbs onto material with a lot of surface area. Rinsing removes the latter, but the former needs to have the calcium material dissolved first, and the vinegar does that.

Copper "carryover" was really mostly a thing when ionic copper was used in tanks with lots of calcareous material, for a long period.

Jay