Cuprisorb and loss of trace elements

[goblin072]

I plan on running cuprisorb and carbon in my sump for the next 6 months to keep any leaching Copper out of my system.

I know it removes copper, iron, maganese and probably other things.

Will a 20-30 gallon per week water change (330 gallon FO tank) be enough or should I add something like Seachems trace to the tank each week?

I do not want to starve my fish or inverts of needed minerals.

[Seahorsedreams]

Why is there copper in your tank? What inverts do you have in there?

[goblin072]

Long story on the CU. A local FS company did it (Knowing that I wanted inverts back in it) they said its the only way. At the time I did not know much, found out that putting CU in a show tank is a no no. Been trying to get it out for 6 months and pretty pissed about it.

[lReef lKeeper]

i think i would be doing something to get a NEW tank from that LFS !! copper leaches from the joints in the tank AND from the LR, so you MAY never get rid of it all the way.

[CarmieJo]

I run carbon all the time with no ill effects but I am not sure about the Cuprisorb. I use regular water changes to replace trace elements and everything seems happy.

[Seahorsedreams]

I personally would never but inverts in a tank that had LR treated with copper. LR is like a sponge for the stuff.

[goblin072]

They can't give me a new tank. Its a custom made Acrylic, it cost 20k. There is a photo in my gallery. Yea I am a bit pissed about it.

The inverts I had were doing great. I love the cleaner shrimp and starfish.

The cuprisorb is taking it out slowly.

I just checked my sump bag of cuprisorb. Arghh! Its all gone, the bag I purchased had holes that were too large. The pumps must have slowly sucked it all out of the bag over the past 2 weeks. Now it must be in my sand. I don't think it hurts anything as it ties up the copper and does not release it. I wanted to reuse it (Can be cleaned) I put another one in the sump this time I used my wifes nylons as the bag. I hope nylons are ok in the sump.

Originally Posted by Seahorsedreams

I personally would never but inverts in a tank that had LR treated with copper. LR is like a sponge for the stuff.

[CarmieJo]

I imagine nylon is inert. But, in your sump do you actively have water flowing through the Cuprisorb? This is far more effective than passive use.

[Seahorsedreams]

I wouldn't ditch the tank... I would remove the LR. Just my .02

[CarmieJo]

Aren't acrylic and Weld-on inert?

[tim]

I would remove the rock and sand and scub everything and reset back up I know its a pita, but thats what I would do IMO. ask them to replace the rock and sand then.

[goblin072]

I just fired them and called it a lesson learned.

Yes the cuprisorb is in the sump just before the water gets sucked back into the system. I have another drain that goes to a pool type filter I have carbon in that one.

I think I have two 3 inch drains, one goes to the 60gallon sump full of bio balls (It has a split for putting carbon thermometers etc. From there it goes to skimmer then back up to sprayers at the top of the tank
The other drain goes to a 12 inch diameter by 10 inch tall round filter with pressure meter. I can put carbon or other things in the center of it. From there it goes to UV then chiller then back into the tank.

[CarmieJo]

Can the water, following the path of least resistance, go around the Cuprisorb or must it go through it?

[lReef lKeeper]

Originally Posted by tim

I would remove the rock and sand and scub everything and reset back up I know its a pita, but thats what I would do IMO. ask them to replace the rock and sand then.

i agree, that is the least they could do for you. i would not care if the tank costed 20k or $20, they would be doing something to repair their irresponsible screw up. even if it meant suing them for negligence. this is just my opinion, but i get pretty angry when "experts" mess up because they dont know how to do the job that they were hired for.