copper in my tank?

[frunkster]

Hi all,can anyone tell me 100% if i can use my tank as it has been use'd to keep rift-lake cichlids for the past 2 years therefore has had copper based white-spot treatment added from time to time(protzin)same with my sump.

As my landlord has seen to see fit to replace the back door with a large set of windows(making me unable to remove my tank)so look's like i'm stuck with this one 8x2x2 240gl,nothing in life is ever easy is it eh!

Any help appreciated.cheers Frank

[Mafiaman]

OK for fish
Death sentence for invertebrates

[Mrs Smith]

Sorry, but I agree. Any live rock will die, and you won't be able to keep invertebrates (corals, snails, shrimp, crabs, etc.)

Why did your landlord remove the back door? Sounds like a fire hazard without one...

Danielle

[frunkster]

Hi

Thanks both for your feedback, looks like its bad news for me then; unless anyone knows of any way of eliminating any traces of the copper from the tank?

Will a thorough clean several times solve the problem?

Oh, and I have just realised that I am only presuming my whitespot treatment is copper based; the name of it is "Waterlife Protozin", does anyone know if it contains copper?

Any input will be gratefully received.

Cheers
Frank

[Eric P]

I normally don't disagree with reefers with more experience than me but, I converted a FW tank that I know for a fact had copper based treatments used in it (because I put it in) to a SW tank after a thorough cleaning and had no problems. I first set it up as a QT tank, but after about a year of it sitting with nothing ever being put in it I started stocking it. Just some fish, snails, a couple feather dusters, and a shrimp. After the first fish went in, I put a couple turbo snails in (as a test) and they were as happy as a pig in slop. I then added the live rock and the rest of the inverts. I didn't loose anything until I had a temperature enduced crash (97 deg.). The inverts were fine in the tank. I eventually took it down and two weeks ago my nephew set it up at his house. It already has some liverock from my reef in it and will be getting more. I think it will be a FOWLR. But if the kid gets the reef bug, I have no doubt it will be fine. I am not saying that this situation is the same in all cases but in my case I was able to reuse a copper treated tank. BTW it was a 29gal glass tank.

Eric...

[Casey]

All copper meds are not the same some are more severe at leeching back than others the gen advice is correct and do not take a chance I would never use it.

[frunkster]

Hello again all!.
I have managed to get the fact's about PROTOZIN - from the uk manufacturer.
Protozin is not copper based but dose contain trace copper.
So the addvice is-do 2/3 flushes on the tank and your good to go QUOTE.
I also sterilised and used a pollyfilter,and as said by the expert at waterlife - uk my tank is fine!(thank the maker).sand l/rock and water in for now don't worry guy's i'll take it nice and slow from now on.
Thank you all.
The frunkster