So what's the take on the statements by Dr. Shimek and Randy Holmes-Farley regarding copper adsorbing onto glass?
This ReefCentral thread according to Dr. Shimek:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=192487&highlight=copper+AND+acid
This is a thread from ReefCentral where Randy Holmes-Farley mentions it:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...ight=adsorbed+AND+copper+AND+glass#post459830
The underlying case is that copper will adsorb (lay on the surface -- NOT absorb: going inside the glass) and stay there even after copper has been removed from the tank and the tank washed out with household cleaners.
Once the aquarist thinks the tank is 'clean' they proceed to use the tank for a reef system only to find that their invertebrates are dying off.
The belief is that in the new aquarium system, the adsorbed copper comes out into the water. This copper level is below the measuring ability of test kits, but high enough to either kill the inverts outright, or to slowly kill them from the low-level exposure.
In order to make the tank ready for a reef, it has to be cleaned with very strong acid and other 'un-safe to use' chemicals. Thus either clean the glass like prescribed or don't use it again for an aquarium.
Anyone have any knowledge or experience along these lines?
I wonder if it makes a difference on the kind of copper medication used, or not?
This ReefCentral thread according to Dr. Shimek:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=192487&highlight=copper+AND+acid
This is a thread from ReefCentral where Randy Holmes-Farley mentions it:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...ight=adsorbed+AND+copper+AND+glass#post459830
The underlying case is that copper will adsorb (lay on the surface -- NOT absorb: going inside the glass) and stay there even after copper has been removed from the tank and the tank washed out with household cleaners.
Once the aquarist thinks the tank is 'clean' they proceed to use the tank for a reef system only to find that their invertebrates are dying off.
The belief is that in the new aquarium system, the adsorbed copper comes out into the water. This copper level is below the measuring ability of test kits, but high enough to either kill the inverts outright, or to slowly kill them from the low-level exposure.
In order to make the tank ready for a reef, it has to be cleaned with very strong acid and other 'un-safe to use' chemicals. Thus either clean the glass like prescribed or don't use it again for an aquarium.
Anyone have any knowledge or experience along these lines?
I wonder if it makes a difference on the kind of copper medication used, or not?