Removing copper from old live rock

LeJeune981 · 04/20/2018, 07:51 PM

My buddy has a bunch of dry rock.. it's been out of water since july.. it was in his QT tank where he used copper and cupramine to medicate..

Is there a way to clean the rock and be sure the medications are gone?
Or can it not be used again other than in a QT tank?

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Dsekula · 04/20/2018, 08:51 PM

This has been debated, if you do some searching

what I've found in research is that some people basically cook the rock and use it and claim to never have issues but also run some sort of chemical filter that could potentially remove a copper spike that suddenly and unexpectedly came out. Some play it safe and toss the rock. The bottom line is that there is no way to ever be certain that all the copper has auctually gone. The longer you go the more likely it is gone. There are chemical ways you could supposedly treat the rocks (I don't know them specifically you would have to look them up or find a chemistry buff on here) but even then there is no proof that the copper is gone.
I looked into it when I was considering how to biofilter my qt and ended not using liverock.

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LeJeune981 · 04/20/2018, 08:55 PM

I couldn't find a definitive answer..admitedly I did not search very long lol
Too busy fidiling around setting up my new tank :-)

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Dsekula · 04/20/2018, 09:28 PM

Np, I really couldn't find one either if you read the post lol. Just sharing what I found, it's the cliff notes on about 48hrs of research (I spent a weekend looking around)

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bertoni · 04/20/2018, 11:02 PM

In theory, if you used enough muriatic acid, you could remove the copper-contaminated surface. I probably would ditch the rock, but the standard 30 minutes dip in a 10:1 water to acid solution might work. Muriatic acid requires careful handling, though. I'd work outside, and wear chemical-resistant gloves and goggles.

LeJeune981 · 04/21/2018, 12:37 AM

Sounds like way more hassle and money than just buying some new dry rock.. he saved it for whenever he decides to make a QT tank again..

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Dsekula · 04/21/2018, 12:49 AM

I deal with straight muriatic acid all the time for work here's how. Toss on some nice long rubber gloves and some sort of body splash guard and it's all good. It's possible just be careful. :-) muriatic acid is sold in the paint remover section in most home improvement stores btw.IMG_20180121_164854.jpg

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04/20/2018, 07:51 PM	#1
LeJeune981 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 747	Removing copper from old live rock My buddy has a bunch of dry rock.. it's been out of water since july.. it was in his QT tank where he used copper and cupramine to medicate.. Is there a way to clean the rock and be sure the medications are gone? Or can it not be used again other than in a QT tank? Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

04/20/2018, 11:02 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	In theory, if you used enough muriatic acid, you could remove the copper-contaminated surface. I probably would ditch the rock, but the standard 30 minutes dip in a 10:1 water to acid solution might work. Muriatic acid requires careful handling, though. I'd work outside, and wear chemical-resistant gloves and goggles. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

04/20/2018, 08:51 PM	#2
Dsekula Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Sterling Posts: 271	This has been debated, if you do some searching what I've found in research is that some people basically cook the rock and use it and claim to never have issues but also run some sort of chemical filter that could potentially remove a copper spike that suddenly and unexpectedly came out. Some play it safe and toss the rock. The bottom line is that there is no way to ever be certain that all the copper has auctually gone. The longer you go the more likely it is gone. There are chemical ways you could supposedly treat the rocks (I don't know them specifically you would have to look them up or find a chemistry buff on here) but even then there is no proof that the copper is gone. I looked into it when I was considering how to biofilter my qt and ended not using liverock. Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

04/20/2018, 08:55 PM	#3
LeJeune981 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 747	I couldn't find a definitive answer..admitedly I did not search very long lol Too busy fidiling around setting up my new tank :-) Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

04/20/2018, 09:28 PM	#4
Dsekula Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Sterling Posts: 271	Np, I really couldn't find one either if you read the post lol. Just sharing what I found, it's the cliff notes on about 48hrs of research (I spent a weekend looking around) Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

04/21/2018, 12:37 AM	#6
LeJeune981 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 747	Sounds like way more hassle and money than just buying some new dry rock.. he saved it for whenever he decides to make a QT tank again.. Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

04/21/2018, 12:49 AM	#7
Dsekula Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Sterling Posts: 271	I deal with straight muriatic acid all the time for work here's how. Toss on some nice long rubber gloves and some sort of body splash guard and it's all good. It's possible just be careful. :-) muriatic acid is sold in the paint remover section in most home improvement stores btw.IMG_20180121_164854.jpg Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk