Copper still there?
 

Hi there.

I have a canister filter that had been on my quarintine tank i had empty just circulating water, But i did have copper in the tank at the time. I am assuming i am screwed for using this on a reef as the plastic would absorb the copper right?

Figure that is the case but thought i would ask before i just turf it.

Thanks

Do you mean copper?

LMAO yep okay so i can't spell tonight:)
Been a long day...lol

I'd say yes, once anything has been exposed to copper it's virtually useless in a reef tank. A fish only tank maybe but no live rock etc. Even with conditioners that bind heavy metals copper will still be present to some extent. Silicone on an aquarium, plastic on a power head or pump etc...anything that has been exposed should be avoided. Good news is, it will probably be perfect for a QT tank for fish :-)

Doug

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/copperfa.htm <- best 'real' answers can be found here...

I doubt the plastic would absorb significant levels of copper. Personally I'd replace the input/output hoses, add cuprisorb and run as a closed loop for a while.

As far as I know, if your stuff has been exposed to copper, it becomes a potential hazard to any sort of inverts. It MAY be safe, but I wouldn't risk it myself.

Like Doug said though, there's no point in chucking it out. It would still work fine for a fish only QT. Plus it couldn't hurt to put it on that closed loop with those copper removal chemicals for a while like andy suggested.