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kar93
03/25/2008, 11:59 AM
I am in the process of turning my 55g FOWLR into a reef but it has copper in it so everything is being discarded apart from the tank:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1353633

What would be the best way to get the copper out of silicone?

Randy Holmes-Farley
03/25/2008, 12:27 PM
I don't really think much copper gets into silicone, and any that does will be very slow to come out when you use the tank again, so I am not too worried about that. I think people have worried about that for a long time with little evidence of its significance.

Cleaning the whole tank so there are no apparent deposits on the glass and such is most important. The calcium carbonate and organic deposits can hold a lot of copper. Cleaning them off with an acid (straight vinegar or 10% muriatic acid in water) is a good way to go.

kar93
03/25/2008, 12:29 PM
Thanks, do you think i should fill the whole tank with vinegar and water or just get a cloth?
should i use ro water?

Randy Holmes-Farley
03/25/2008, 12:41 PM
A cloth or brush would be fine. :)

kar93
03/25/2008, 12:42 PM
Thanks Alot, Now i can sleep :D

Randy Holmes-Farley
03/25/2008, 12:51 PM
:lol:

You're welcome.

Good luck. :)