Rock exposed to tank with Brass valve

[murph]

Does anyone know if rock can absorb copper from the water and then release it back into the tank? I have around 30lbs of rock from a tank that had a brass valve (potentially for MANY months). I would like to use this rock in another tank and am concerned about the potential for problems. I am fairly certain that there was the presence of significant levels of copper. All inverts died and no coralline growth.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[tangir1]

You can try to "cure" the rock in a separate container for a few weeks and see if you can put an invert there without dying.... but for 30 lb, I feel it maybe a bit of hassle...

 

[Mihai]

Get a copper test kit. I had some sand, and it tested as positive as the full strenght Cu cure when I added about 2oz to a cupfull of salty water.
The sand came from a FO tank; apparently the owner treated the tank pretty heavily.

Regards,
Mihai