Cupramine + Live Rock?
- Thread starter lucky?
- Start date
Cupramine can cause false reading when using test kits that aren't compatible, such as kits that test for chelated copper. Seachem sells their own kit that is compatible with its product. Selifert and Red Sea can also be used. Basically look for a kit that tests for ionic copper.
2quills
Well-Known Member
So using your API kits while treating with Seachems Cupramine product in a quarantine tank you didn't detect the "amines" they are talking about.
But knowing that Cupramine does indeed kill many inverts and such that are considered part of the natural Bio Filtration in a display system Seachem says that if you do see ammonia you could simply invest in their test kits? lol
Perhaps it simply leaves bacteria alone for the most part but when it comes to live rock you should watch out because it can kill a lot of your other beneficial stuff. Which IMO can and most likely would lead to an ammonia spike if you're watching close enough to catch it.
But knowing that Cupramine does indeed kill many inverts and such that are considered part of the natural Bio Filtration in a display system Seachem says that if you do see ammonia you could simply invest in their test kits? lol
Perhaps it simply leaves bacteria alone for the most part but when it comes to live rock you should watch out because it can kill a lot of your other beneficial stuff. Which IMO can and most likely would lead to an ammonia spike if you're watching close enough to catch it.
Cupramine is a very good product. Top for copper med for aquaria. However, Seachem touting the product as safe for nitrifying bacteria is a ploy to have the unsuspecting hobbyist believe it is ok for use in FO tanks (resulting in selling more Cupramine). The truth is a FO tank with a sandbed is not a good medium for copper use for other reasons other then "retarding" the bacteria. Sand absorbs copper very well, which kind of nullifies its effectiveness as a medication for fish parasites when therapeutic copper levels must be maintained at all times for an effective treatment course. Copper treatments should not be used where there are sandbeds.
kyfishguy
New Member
@2quills I didn't bother using the ammonia test kit because I did my homework beforehand and knew apis test kit would show ammonia. Not only that I ran across a few videos on youtube with cupramine being used and there was no mention of biofilter loss. I used the tests that would function under cupramine and used their results to come to the conclusion that the biofilter was working. Not only that but the fish were a nice indicator of that. Typically before I trust anything I sift though the internet until my eyes bleed. So far I am very pleased with seachem and have no reason to think otherwise about them. The moment they let me down I won't hesitate to blast them on a regular.
2quills
Well-Known Member
Yeah I agree it sounds like one of the safer methods to use.
Just curious to hear from anyone who has used the different ammonia kits out there that measure the free ammonia. And what have those results been in comparismant situations.
Bottom line here simply sounds like one must proceed with caution when it comes to any treatment.
I caught a couple of threads were it appears that folks were inquiring about using Prime to neutralize the ammonia they were seeing. And in another thread I'd caught one of the more respected chemists in the hobby saying it was a bad idea. Something to the effect of causing a chemical reaction that could nuke the system.
Newbies beware lol.
I didn't understand the effects that formaldehyde has in a system when I first got into saltwater. The stuff I purchased said reef safe but didn't explain how the product lowers oxygen levels. I turned off my pumps one night and and forgot to turn them back on. Woke up the next morning to a disaster.
Consiquentially, that was the situation that brought me to this site. And IIRC, it was Beth who warned me about the oxygen issue. Unfortunately what was done was done at that point.
I guess as a newbie I learned the hard way.
Just curious to hear from anyone who has used the different ammonia kits out there that measure the free ammonia. And what have those results been in comparismant situations.
Bottom line here simply sounds like one must proceed with caution when it comes to any treatment.
I caught a couple of threads were it appears that folks were inquiring about using Prime to neutralize the ammonia they were seeing. And in another thread I'd caught one of the more respected chemists in the hobby saying it was a bad idea. Something to the effect of causing a chemical reaction that could nuke the system.
Newbies beware lol.
I didn't understand the effects that formaldehyde has in a system when I first got into saltwater. The stuff I purchased said reef safe but didn't explain how the product lowers oxygen levels. I turned off my pumps one night and and forgot to turn them back on. Woke up the next morning to a disaster.
Consiquentially, that was the situation that brought me to this site. And IIRC, it was Beth who warned me about the oxygen issue. Unfortunately what was done was done at that point.
I guess as a newbie I learned the hard way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/232217/cupramine-live-rock/20#post_3537589
The stuff I purchased said reef safe but didn't explain how the product lowers oxygen levels. I turned off my pumps one night and and forgot to turn them back on. Woke up the next morning to a disaster.
And herein lies the problem when putting all your trust in what the manufacture says about meds. There is no circumstance where formaldehyde is safe for even a FO tank, let alone a reef. Yet, there was a time when using this chemical in holding tanks at retailers and distributers was commonplace.
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/232217/cupramine-live-rock/20#post_3537589
The stuff I purchased said reef safe but didn't explain how the product lowers oxygen levels. I turned off my pumps one night and and forgot to turn them back on. Woke up the next morning to a disaster.
And herein lies the problem when putting all your trust in what the manufacture says about meds. There is no circumstance where formaldehyde is safe for even a FO tank, let alone a reef. Yet, there was a time when using this chemical in holding tanks at retailers and distributers was commonplace.
