Copper Med In Old Tank

[mattlee]

i have an old tank that was being used as a hospital tank for 1 of my discus. while he was in there i used several meds and at least 1 contained copper. i know shrimp dont like copper but i was wanting to use this for an upgrade for my shrimp tank thats getting too full of shrimp.....
its been sat empty for about a month with a couple of inches of water in the bottom that i forgot to remove if i gave it a good clean and added all the filters and decor from my current shrimp tank would they be ok?
if its possible whats the best way to prep it for the shrimp?

 

[mattlee]

can anyone help......?

 

[mattlee]

i was wanting to transfer the shrimp asap, can anyone help....?

 

[seffieuk]

The problem with copper is that it gets in the seals and then leaches out if it were me I would fill the tank with water and then test for copper

Seffie x

 

[mattlee]

The problem with copper is that it gets in the seals and then leaches out if it were me I would fill the tank with water and then test for copper

Seffie x

thanks, is the API copper test acurate enough or can you reccommend another?

 

[seffieuk]

thanks, is the API copper test acurate enough or can you reccommend another?

Assume it would be accurate enough - i would certainly give it a go

Inchworm will probably know more though, expect she will be along soon or you could pm her

Seffie x

 

[mattlee]

ive just emptied the tank and scrubbed it with a scourer (gently) so its ready to be refilled. ill just let it dry out and then refill and test

 

[Piltdownpaul]

hey matt -rinse it with a mild bleach solution-i've heard that works.

 

[mattlee]

hey matt -rinse it with a mild bleach solution-i've heard that works.

Hi Paul, how ya doin?

ive heard that too but unsure of quantities...... any ideas?

 

[Piltdownpaul]

Well i woulnt do it too strong....10% in water at a guess-you'd have to rinse well too-depends on the strength of the bleach really.

 

[Nick16]

1. fill it, leave for a few hours, test for copper
2. empty, and bleach it.
3. wash and leave to air, (do that about 5 times! or more)
4. fill it, leave it, test for copper.


the problem with instantly filling and testing is the copper will not be so present in the water. if you can leave it for a day that would be better before testing but i know your pushed for time.

ensure you wash any decor as well!!!

 

[mattlee]

1. fill it, leave for a few hours, test for copper
2. empty, and bleach it.
3. wash and leave to air, (do that about 5 times! or more)
4. fill it, leave it, test for copper.


the problem with instantly filling and testing is the copper will not be so present in the water. if you can leave it for a day that would be better before testing but i know your pushed for time.

ensure you wash any decor as well!!!

thanks nick.

what % of bleach to water do i use?
the shrimps are ok where they are for now and i dont want to rush and kill them so ill do as you say and repeat several times.
is there a copper test kit that people have found to be accurate? i know the lfs near me sells API copper kits but unsure on any others....

 

[Nick16]

i havent ever used a copper test kit as i havent had to use any meds yet. (fingers crossed)

use a fairly weak soloution. like 10-15% as suggested and see how that goes. if it doesnt get the copper out and you are still getting readings, then up it slightly.

you should be fine though mate, as long as you wash the tank loads and allow it to stand so it can leach out the substrate.

Also, wack some carbon in your filter for the first week or two when you set the tank up. should help a little!

 

[mattlee]

 

[seffieuk]

Activated carbon will help reduce copper in a tank, that is why you have to remove it if dosing with copper. Also you can use poly filters, they change colour to let you know what they are removing but there is also another product called Cuprisorb which I believe is supposed to remove copper.

You are only using the tank right, nothing else from when copper was used? organic things like live rock (i'm a salty), sand beds etc will hold more copper and leach it back. However, glass and the silicone will also be holding it, true in much smaller quantaties ;good:

I would:

Fill tank with water (test water for copper before putting in tank)and heat up
leave for 48 hours and then test for copper

If you find copper, run carbon and maybe one of the other things that i suggesed above for a week and then test again

Being a salty i'm a belt and braces type of person

Seffie x