What absorbs copper?

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by bthomson, Jun 4, 2009.

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  1. bthomson

    bthomson Fire Worm

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2009
    Messages:
    162
    Location:
    Norton, KS
    I currently have a 20g fish only that I have been treating with copper to cure a fish with ick. I have a 65 gallon on the way and was wondering what in my tank will absorb the copper. I want my 65 to be a reef and keep some coral and maybe anemones. As far as my Cascade 300 and MJ1200 PH, will these absorb and leech copper into the new tank? I was also wanting to use my live sand which I know absorbs it but I need to rinse it to remove the pain in the butt powder from it, will rinsing it remove the copper or at least enough to not have an effect on my new tank?

    Im no expert in plastics but I wasn't for sure if it can absorb copper. Just need to be sure. If it does this is really going to set me back on my setup.
     
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  3. PackLeader

    PackLeader Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2008
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    Location:
    Reno, NV
    Everything but the glass itself will absorb copper. IMHO everything in the tank will now have become useless as far as reef/inverts are concerned. But there are ways you can treat it. Ozone is one, but must be done very carefully and would be expensive. The other is running something like Cuprisorb in a reactor and doing frequent water changes until it is done leeching out, but that may take some time. Anywhere from 6 months to a few years.