Seachem Cupramine Medication

Seachem Cupramine Medication. An indepth article on Seachem Cupramine Medication, a copper treatment for Oodinium, Cryptocaryon, Amyloodinium, Ichthyophthirius, and other external parasites in fish COPPER IS THE PREFERRED AGENT FOR THE ERADICATION OF: Oodinium, Cryptocaryon, Amyloodinium, Ichthyophthirius, and other external parasites in fish. Soluble copper salts dissociate in water; copper then precipitates as copper carbonate and copper hydroxide. The consequently necessary repeated dosing is an inconvenience that results in a dangerous accumulation of copper in the filter bed. This copper is potentially lethal to fish, makes invertebrate culture difficult or impossible, and interferes with the biological filter’s full potential Chelated copper is sequestered, uncharged, and inactive. Although this keeps it in solution, it is so ineffective that it must be used at ten times greater concentration than ionic copper. The high chloride content of marine water contributes to the formation of chloride based complexes of copper; it is these complexes that actually account for the effectiveness (albeit limited) of copper chelates and the eventual deposition of copper in the filter bed. Since chelated copper is uncharged and neutral, it is readily absorbed by fish. Although relatively nontoxic, if enough chelated copper accumulates in fish tissue it can cause long term problems. The reliable measurement of chelated copper is a problem with many copper kits and even known concentrations of chelated copper are less meaningful than those of unchelated copper. Chelated copper is very difficult to remove, except by massive water changes or with CupriSorb™. Citrate copper is very weakly chelated, and the high calcium and magnesium content of marine water rapidly displaces copper from the chelate, making citrate copper only a marginal improvement over ionic copper. Cupramine™ contains an organic complex which leaves the cupric charge (Cu2+) fully active. This organic component prevents the deposition of copper, inhibits its absorbtion by fish, but does not interfere with action against parasites. Cupramine™ is buffered and is non-shocking. It is less toxic to fish than any other copper preparation, but more toxic to parasites. It is readily measured by any copper kit and easily removed with activated carbon or other adsorbents. Cupramine™ is a truly better copper formulation that safely eradicates ectoparasites of both freshwater and marine fish. It is buffered and amine-complexed and has all the advantages of both copper sulfate and chelated copper, but none of the disadvantages. Just like copper sulfate, it is fully charged (ionic) and effective at low concentrations. Just like chelates, it is nontoxic and is not precipitated in the filter bed. However, unlike both, there is more than a four-fold concentration gap between the therapeutic dose and the toxic dose. Unlike chelates, it is easily removed by carbon. Unlike copper salts, it does not precipitate in the filter bed. Unlike other copper products it is both highly effective and safe in freshwater as well as marine water. It does not damage the filter bed. Cupramine™ is gaining wide acceptance both by aquarists and public aquaria as the copper agent of choice. SPECIFICATIONS: Cupramine™ contains 10,000 mg/L of copper. This copper is organically complexed and buffered. Unlimited shelf life. ACTION: Cupramine™ eradicates Oodinium and Ich at 0.1 – 0.2 mg/L, Cryptocaryon at 0.25 – 0.35 mg/L, Trematodes and other parasites at 0.4 – 0.5 mg/L. With a 10 – 14 day exposure at 0.4 mg/L most infestations will be eradicated and secondary bacterial and fungal infections will be controlled. TOXICITY: Used as directed, Cupramine™ is not toxic to fish. While some invertebrates have shown tolerance for Cupramine™, it should be considered toxic to all invertebrates.