question about live rock

[wild fin]

hey guys. well i broke down my moms tank. trying to save her last two fish. i put them in mine. question she added copper to the tank. now i took out her live rock. i wanna keep it. if i leave it on my basement floor for two weeks will that rid of the copper??? thank you for the help?

 

[masterswimmer]

No good. The copper has already been absorbed by the LR. It will leech back into the water in a new setup.

 

[fishguttz]

The copper does not dissipate into the air like ammonia or chlorine would. Matter of fact I don't believe it is at all possible to rid the rock of the copper. And the live rock would die in two weeks anyway.

 

[wild fin]

No good. The copper has already been absorbed by the LR. It will leech back into the water in a new setup.

thank you master swimmer..i will dispose of it tonight.

 

[masterswimmer]

thank you master swimmer..i will dispose of it tonight.

LR is expensive. It's not totally necessary to dispose of it. What you can do is sell it to someone setting up a saltwater fish only setup. As long as there are no invertebrates in the tank with the copper, the rock will be safe to use.

Just be totally honest and upfront with the buyer of the rock. Let them know that copper was used and it shouldn't be a problem (for someone who understands the limitations of this particular LR). It would be a shame if they used it in a reef setup and lost everything due to the copper.

Russ

 

[wild fin]

well wait a minute my tank is also a fish only set up..does this mean i can use it?

 

[latino277]

If it's a FO setup then you can. but then you will never be able to use any (you rock or her rock) of that rock with any inverts.

 

[wild fin]

it was copper zinc...does that make a difference

 

[1UCKY]

I've known people to place previously coppered rocks into their reefs (Chelated Copper) and believe it or not, everything looked healthy as hell; wouldn't recommend it though.

 

[wild fin]

yeah i dont think i will either i dont wanna mess up my set up. thanks again fellow members.

 

[wild fin]

LR is expensive. It's not totally necessary to dispose of it. What you can do is sell it to someone setting up a saltwater fish only setup. As long as there are no invertebrates in the tank with the copper, the rock will be safe to use.

Just be totally honest and upfront with the buyer of the rock. Let them know that copper was used and it shouldn't be a problem (for someone who understands the limitations of this particular LR). It would be a shame if they used it in a reef setup and lost everything due to the copper.

Russ

hey master swimmer, im getting the same feedback that you gave me here. so i think im gonna put the rock in my tank seeing how its only gonna be fish only talk. i mean reef tanks are gorgous, but my work schedule i just never have the time to take my tank to that level. i actually really enjoy just the fish. thanks again.
phil

 

[masterswimmer]

Phil,
Good decision. I hate to waste money, time, and usable LR :lol2:

Just don't forget in the future about the rock being copper treated.

Good luck and feel free to post some pix for us to admire.

Russ

 

[jhale]

what you can use the rock for is setting up a QT tank or hospital tank.

I would not mix the rock with non treated rock. Who knows, you might want or need to get some inverts one day, the copper soaked rocks can be dangerous for them.