Will resealing tank get rid of copper

[djcool563]

Hello. I have an old tank that i think might have been treated with copper before but i am not sure. I think i heard that it is the silocone that hold the copper and make it unable to be used in a reef system. I was wondering can i strip all the silicone out and reseal it? I want to use this tank as a sump for my reef

[Gobie]

I don’t know if copper will stay in an aquarium in lethal amounts. There is copper in natural sea water. You should ask in the chemistry forum.

[espo72]

It should be safe to use. Twice I have converted FO tanks that were treated with copper to reef tanks with no ill effects. On one, I didn't even change sand or all the water, I just used poly filters and partial water changes to do it. I used a feather duster as my "guinea pig" to see that the water was OK (they are really sensitive to copper). Now the tanks is loaded with corals and inverts and all are doing fine.

[djcool563]

Anyone else?

[00nothing]

to think that copper would be able to build up in lethal levels in the silicone is kinda perplexing thought and to think that it would all leach back in is even more scary

I am sure u have nothing to worry about

[djcool563]

Thanks for the help guys

[Dubbin1]

What size is the old tank that you want to do this to? If it is just a small tank then it would be much easier to just go out and pick up a new one.

[djcool563]

its a 20g high tank but i dont really want to go get another and i dont really have the money. Trying to build a reef on a budget is not easy.

[tmantaylor18]

true dat homie.