Cuprimine and Purigen

[FlavorDSM]

I am currently dosing with Cuprimine and was just curious if I put Purigen in the filter will it remove the copper? I don't think it will just want to make 100% sure so I'm asking you :)

Thanks

[Tech Support DD]

As a general rule, we always recommend removing all chemical filtration media (i.e., carbon, Purigen) whenever you are medicating a tank. This is to ensure that you will not risk removing what you are putting into the tank to treat it.

[FlavorDSM]

Oh so Purigen will remove Cuprimine? I thought Purigen was attracted to DOMs.. Or is that just a general rule to be "on the safe side". I need to do something.. I had to do an emergency quarantine of 3 small fish and a medium size to treat with cuprimine, and I'm afraid I'm going to end up getting an ammonia spike so even if purigen is 'not likely' to absorb cuprimine I will still end up using it, but if it is known for sure to absorb it I wont. If I can't use purigen what would you suggest using to keep my ammonia in check?

[FlavorDSM]

The one (good) thing about DOMs is that copper can bind to them and become nullified. However, I was under the influence that cuprimine will not bind to the DOMs in the water and that is why you can dose it and moderate the ppm of it will little to no adjustments. If cuprimine DOES bind to DOMs then I can certainly understand why purigen is removing it (it's just doing its job). What I don't like is that cuprimine is actually precipitating out (when it says it wont)

[Tech Support DD]

It's not that Purigen will directly remove Cupramine; it's just a general rule to remove it to be "on the safe side," as you said. When we medicate with Cupramine, we do not use Purigen. Keep in mind that Purigen will not directly remove ammonia/nitrite/nitrate, but it will remove the nitrogenous organic waste before it can be converted into those components (i.e., therefore, it will prevent those levels from increasing). What we recommend doing in quarantine situations in order to keep the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels in check is to perform regular water changes (as needed) and to boost your biological filter by using Matrix and adding Stability (as necessary).

[FlavorDSM]

Yes, that is what I wanted to use purigen for to remove the nitrogenous waste before I did get an 'ammonia spike'.. What ammonia is left should be taken care of by the bacteria. On a side note, about your product Stability. Is it actual live bacteria? Will this bacteria growth be retarded from the cuprimine as well? Also, Will matrix not absorb the cuprimine?

[Tech Support DD]

The bacteria in Stability are alive, but not active; they exist in a spore form. Stability's bacterial growth will not be retarded by Cupramine; also, Matrix will not absorb Cupramine. We always recommend using some kind of biological media in a quarantine tank.

[FlavorDSM]

Awesome, just what I wanted to hear. Thanks for the answer to my original question and for the suggestions that will help out my situation. Take care!

[Tech Support DD]

You're very welcome :-) Good luck!