protein skimmer used in tank with cooper, reefsafe?

[trimblej3]

HI,

I have had a fish only system going for over a year and a half. When I added my first fish to the tank it came down with a case of ICK. Well I treated the tank with cooper and the fish is alive today, but I know that i can never use the tank/rock/sand in a reef tank because eventhough the cooper is out of the water it will always be in those. But is my Aqua c remora protein skimmer o.k. to use in a reef tank? Is there a way to wash it or is it only suitable for fish-only tanks now? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[gwen_o_lyn]

to TRT!!
Not sure the answer, but I'm sure someone will.

[Spongebobsquarepants]

Thats a tuff call there.I know that copper likes to seek its way into plastic.If ya got the cash i get other one.I wander if runing the skimmer in a vinger for few days would help anything....

[Geoff]

Welcome to TRT!!!



i would just use it for FO tanks. what size tank are you thinking? you may need a bigger skimmer anyway. if you want to soak the skimmer in water for a week then test for copper, you could try that.

G~

[Brent Cone]

Originally Posted by Geoff

Welcome to TRT!!!



i would just use it for FO tanks. what size tank are you thinking? you may need a bigger skimmer anyway. if you want to soak the skimmer in water for a week then test for copper, you could try that.

G~

Ya id try to do somthing like that, ya just dont know, Plastic is pourus and likes to hold things in it, good luck,
Brent.

[Phishnoob]

I have the same skimmer and took a look at it. Most of the pieces are molded plastics without caulked seams that seem to absorb the copper such as you would see in an aquarium. The vinegar and water soak for a week with lots of flushing might work..I would try to keep the water in a warm place too to make the plastic a little more ductile.

The advice to use a test kit though was spot on. Just for those of us who as the guy in the Dirty Harry movie said "I justs gots to know"...can you test before and after a soak and post the results.

[Loverotties]

Originally Posted by Geoff

Welcome to TRT!!!



i would just use it for FO tanks. what size tank are you thinking? you may need a bigger skimmer anyway. if you want to soak the skimmer in water for a week then test for copper, you could try that.

G~

Do that and test it,but I think your better off buying another.

[Flame]

Risk versus cost to replace coral, inverts, and what ever else that may be affected by copper if the cleaning does not work. IMHO I would get another unit.

[trimblej3]

Thanks for all the help and hospitality guys. I guess I'll just have to buy a new one for the reef. I would hate to us it and have live rock and creatures die-off from "unknown" reasons.
Thanks so much