Malachite Green - Is it bad for reef tanks?

Jeremiah · 08-10-2005, 09:37 PM

I have a fresh water tank that I am going to be taking down. I thought about using it as a fuge. The only medication I have used it in was Malachite Green. I have been searching on the internet and looks like it does NOT contain copper. But I don't know if it has any other bad stuff.

What do you think?

TIA

Jeremiah

redwinger · 08-10-2005, 09:45 PM

I would not advise it. I used it on my hospital tank awhile back and it turned all my silicone greenish blue. So it is in the silicone and I am sure leach back into the water.

Jeremiah · 08-10-2005, 09:49 PM

Wonder if it would be ok for a fish only tank. Maybe i could fill it with saltwater and get some puffer fish or something.... Isn't it just like crabs and snails that have a problem with the stuff?

redwinger · 08-10-2005, 09:58 PM

Yes inverts would most likelly kick the bucket as they are more sensitive than fish. I would say it would be fine for a fish only tank. If it leaches it will only be in small amounts and as though it is a toxic medicine the small amounts leached out shouldn't hurt the fish. Most people associate malchite green with the mineral malachite. The mineral contains a form of copper. However malachite green is completelly different than the mineral which contains copper carbonate hydroxide.

GranTurismo Racer · 08-10-2005, 10:25 PM

Not Good....if you want to keep corals/inverts alive

clownfishcrazy · 08-10-2005, 11:21 PM

FYI malachite green is a super dye, so it might not have soaked into the silicone, just died it. You could fill the tank up and throw some snails in to test the tank.