How to remove copper from sand and rocks?

makko75 · 02-22-2006, 10:55 AM

Does anyone know how to remove copper from rocks and crushed coral? I have a 20 gal tank with rocks and crushed coral that I treated with copper medication. I cleaned the tank and removed the rocks and sand out of the tank. I want to turn my 20 gal tank into an invertebrate aquarium and I would like to use the sand that I had in there before, but that sand was exposed to copper. The sand is in a container (without lid) sitting in my balcony. Do you know how to remove the copper out of the crushed coral?

CSeaSee · 02-22-2006, 12:19 PM

You won't be able too, unless you are a professional chemist. There's a thread on here somewhere (maybe Ninong can provide it... he's the library) about how to do it, and it isn't guaranteed. The problem is that the copper leaches into the rocks (and sand) and will slowly release over time. Your best bet is to start over, IMO... sorry, I know that's not what you wanted to hear!

**The R/C Man** · 02-22-2006, 04:14 PM

I am wondering if soaking them in a tub of RO/DI water would help to remove the copper. Since the water is "pure" it should act as a catalist and absorb the chemical. That is just a thought.

With that said I would probably start over. The money you have to spend for the new rock and sand will be neglagible compaired to the possible crash of the entire system.

almostdiva · 02-22-2006, 05:59 PM

You can probably also put PolyFilter in your sump/filter path and it will pull out -- not all of it, but a bunch..

icemark · 02-22-2006, 06:17 PM

Just start again. All new stuff

You will never get all the copper out of a tank that has been copper treated. Its not just the rocks and substraite, but also into the glass and seams

makko75 · 02-23-2006, 10:15 AM

Well, I figured that after all the money and time that I spent on my corals I should start with new, clean crushed coral. Yesterday I bought 20 lbs of crushed coral. I moved all my corals to my 20 gal tank and they look pretty good.

BubbaWPB · 02-23-2006, 03:49 PM

Start again, including the tank. 20 gallon tanks are not as expensive as replacing livestock.

Take it from a former professional chemist: copper binds to rock and glass fairly tightly, and can take years to release back into the water - RO/DI won't help. A strong acid bath might get most of it out, but it would dissolve your crushed coral, may etch the glass, is very dangerous to work with, and would probably wind up costing more than a new 20 gallon.

Cut your losses and start over.

Save the old copper-contaminated tank for a quarantine tank! Don't toss it!

02-22-2006, 10:55 AM	#1
makko75 Just Moved In Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 26	How to remove copper from sand and rocks? Does anyone know how to remove copper from rocks and crushed coral? I have a 20 gal tank with rocks and crushed coral that I treated with copper medication. I cleaned the tank and removed the rocks and sand out of the tank. I want to turn my 20 gal tank into an invertebrate aquarium and I would like to use the sand that I had in there before, but that sand was exposed to copper. The sand is in a container (without lid) sitting in my balcony. Do you know how to remove the copper out of the crushed coral?

02-22-2006, 12:19 PM	#2
CSeaSee Mayor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 663	You won't be able too, unless you are a professional chemist. There's a thread on here somewhere (maybe Ninong can provide it... he's the library) about how to do it, and it isn't guaranteed. The problem is that the copper leaches into the rocks (and sand) and will slowly release over time. Your best bet is to start over, IMO... sorry, I know that's not what you wanted to hear! __________________ Carl Just tell your wife that having a tank teaches you all sorts of new DIY skills...which will save lots of money around the house...so you can buy more stuff for your tank...so you can learn more skills...

02-22-2006, 04:14 PM	#3
The R/C Man Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 691	I am wondering if soaking them in a tub of RO/DI water would help to remove the copper. Since the water is "pure" it should act as a catalist and absorb the chemical. That is just a thought. With that said I would probably start over. The money you have to spend for the new rock and sand will be neglagible compaired to the possible crash of the entire system. __________________ Greg 25 gallon reef with 20 gallon sump/fuge 375 gallon reef with 100 gallon sump/fuge: under construction Over time science has shown that the simplest answers are usually the correct ones.......

02-22-2006, 06:17 PM	#5
icemark Governor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Rohnert Park, CA, USA Posts: 1,102	Just start again. All new stuff You will never get all the copper out of a tank that has been copper treated. Its not just the rocks and substraite, but also into the glass and seams __________________ Play well Mark www.mazdamark.com

02-23-2006, 03:49 PM	#7
BubbaWPB Governor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 1,234	Start again, including the tank. 20 gallon tanks are not as expensive as replacing livestock. Take it from a former professional chemist: copper binds to rock and glass fairly tightly, and can take years to release back into the water - RO/DI won't help. A strong acid bath might get most of it out, but it would dissolve your crushed coral, may etch the glass, is very dangerous to work with, and would probably wind up costing more than a new 20 gallon. Cut your losses and start over. Save the old copper-contaminated tank for a quarantine tank! Don't toss it! __________________ Bubba Hmmm... now that the tank is full, I could convert the pool to saltwater... Bubba's Aquarium Log

02-22-2006, 05:59 PM	#4
almostdiva Mayor Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 962	You can probably also put PolyFilter in your sump/filter path and it will pull out -- not all of it, but a bunch..

02-23-2006, 10:15 AM	#6
makko75 Just Moved In Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 26	Well, I figured that after all the money and time that I spent on my corals I should start with new, clean crushed coral. Yesterday I bought 20 lbs of crushed coral. I moved all my corals to my 20 gal tank and they look pretty good.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Orange/brown stuff on Sand and rocks??	1968OldsMan	Reef Aquariums	9	03-21-2005 11:45 AM
live rocks and live sand for sale in orange county, california	items4sell2001	For Sale or Trade Zone	2	01-10-2005 06:04 AM
How to Remove Attached Clams?	Reefland	Reef Aquariums	11	10-01-2003 05:37 PM
Is It Safe To Put Uncured Rocks With Cured Rocks?	BillyBadazz	Reef Aquariums	2	09-11-2002 12:24 PM
How Do I Remove Bubble Algae?	Reinhold	Reef Aquariums	6	11-27-2001 08:04 PM