copper question

[midgetwaiter]

Originally Posted by fkshiu

I'm not sure the theory that heavy metals leech into silicone is a proven one

I am sure it is not proven. Everybody has heard it's an issue but nobody has seen it be an issue. I've seen it NOT cause problems when I used a 20 that had been repeatedly dosed with copper as a sump for YEARS afterward. All I did was rinse it.

The best way to attack something like copper chemically is to precipitate it. Use kalk or sodium carbonate to get the pH to 12 and any free copper should precipitate as copper hydroxide. If you use kalk be aware you could be adding as much copper as you are potentially removing depending on it's purity. I am not sure about sodium carbonate in that regard.

[Red Coral Aquariums]

Thank you all for your comments. Some excellent feedback.
I suggested hot water ( in my understanding to soften up the silicone to enhance copper leaching if possible) using white vinegar as a cleaner with multiple soakings constantly replacing water. I was told that I would be kept up to date on the progress.
Thanks again
Kevin

[michika]

Originally Posted by midgetwaiter

I am sure it is not proven. Everybody has heard it's an issue but nobody has seen it be an issue. I've seen it NOT cause problems when I used a 20 that had been repeatedly dosed with copper as a sump for YEARS afterward. All I did was rinse it.

The best way to attack something like copper chemically is to precipitate it. Use kalk or sodium carbonate to get the pH to 12 and any free copper should precipitate as copper hydroxide. If you use kalk be aware you could be adding as much copper as you are potentially removing depending on it's purity. I am not sure about sodium carbonate in that regard.

Yes I have had it be an issue. I had a frag/qt tank at one point that I just set up and used after a vinegar cleaning. All the frags died in it for a period of 6 months before I took it down and replaced the silicone. Problem fixed itself. I also did get confirmation after going back to the original owner, that copper, not cuperamine, had been used in the tank.

[midgetwaiter]

Originally Posted by michika

Yes I have had it be an issue. I had a frag/qt tank at one point that I just set up and used after a vinegar cleaning. All the frags died in it for a period of 6 months before I took it down and replaced the silicone. Problem fixed itself. I also did get confirmation after going back to the original owner, that copper, not cuperamine, had been used in the tank.

Were you able to detect copper with a test kit?

[michika]

I believe so. I did however not do the test myself, I brought the water to someone else to do.