I used live rock in quarantine tank, can I bring it back to main tank?

[Danute]

Hi,
I used some live rock in my emergency quarantine tine tank that I treated with copper. Can I put it back in the main tank after washing it? It was only two days in the tank...

 

[twilliard]

I personally wouldnt put it in the DT

 

[Tahoe61]

I would run the rock in separate container with Cuprisorb and Charcoal. As long as the Cuprisorb is still changing color to a green tint then copper levels are still too high to be tolerated by inverts. The live rock absorbed the copper, merely rinsing the rock will have little impact.

 

[Danute]

Thanks, really appreciate your quick response. I'm new to the reefing and it just amaze me how helpful and friendly community this is.

 

[Tahoe61]

You're welcome.

 

[Humblefish]

I personally would take it a step further, by giving all the rock a 10:1 (water:hydrochloric acid) bath for 10 minutes. The acid will eat away at the outer layer of the rock where the copper is stored.

Hydrochloric acid is commonly available as muriatic acid in pool supply stores. However, you will want to wear rubber gloves, face mask, eye protection, etc. to avoid any possibility of it coming into contact with your skin! You also DO NOT want to breath in the fumes from it.