Reusing a tank after copper treatment?

[TheEngineer]

Can I reuse a tank that previously had copper run in it? I bought a replacement tank at the $1/gal sale, but I was wondering if I need to keep this one as a dedicated hospital tank or if it is safe to use for non-medicated QT.

 

[Humblefish]

Can I reuse a tank that previously had copper run in it?

Yes, just wipe the inside down thoroughly using a vinegar soaked rag or paper towels. Pay extra special attention to the seams.

 

[azbigjohn]

I will let the experts reply here, but I have always been told that copper leaches into the silicone, and therefore any tank can not be used again with inverts, etc...

 

[Brew12]

Can I reuse a tank that previously had copper run in it? I bought a replacement tank at the $1/gal sale, but I was wondering if I need to keep this one as a dedicated hospital tank or if it is safe to use for non-medicated QT.

Just the tank itself, right?
It really shouldn't be a problem as long as you clean it out really well. Some people think that the silicone used to hold the tank together will absorb and leach copper but I haven't seen anything showing that to be the case. If you are worried about it, you might want to throw some cuprisorb in there for a month or 2 after you fill it. Remember, the ocean does have trace amounts of copper in it. The tiny amount of residue you would be unable to clean out shouldn't hurt anything.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'm assuming totally emptied. Simply clean it out with vinegar and a water rinse and you're good to go. Copper doesn't "stick" to glass or silicone.

 

[TheEngineer]

Bang, bang, bang! Quick replies! :)

I usually fill the tank with tap water and run the HOB filter, power head, heater, etc on it with lots of vinegar for 24 hours. Drain it, wipe it down and rinse it out and call it a day.

Maybe I should have asked if I can reuse my HOB filter and power head too... Can I? :p

 

[Humblefish]

I will let the experts reply here, but I have always been told that copper leaches into the silicone, and therefore any tank can not be used again with inverts, etc...

Copper ions will sometimes get trapped on the surface of silicone, but they won't get absorbed.

 

[Humblefish]

Maybe I should have asked if I can reuse my HOB filter and power head too... Can I? :p

Yes, just clean everything thoroughly with vinegar to remove any residuals.

 

[vic5hands]

I have a 210 gallon that was dosing copper . Cleaned the tank throughout rinsed . I now have a great reef tank

 

[Frop]

I have another question. This guy is getting rid of a lot of sand that use to be used with copper. Is the copper hard to remove from the sand?

 

[Flippers4pups]

The sand will hold copper. Discard it and replace with new.

 

[Steven Leong]

I would guess that if Copper Sulfate will go into solution if the pH dropped, then one could add possibly, citric acid, get it out of the substrate and into solution. Then do a complete water change, and remove what little is left with cuprisorb. Just guessing though.

 

[Boomer1pug]

will copper power stay on plastic aquarium plants and can you clean them and reyse

 

[Brew12]

will copper power stay on plastic aquarium plants and can you clean them and reyse

It should rinse right off.

 

[JAM Girl]

Is it safe to work with an old PVC and titanium pump that has had cupric chloride run through it?