Seachem CupriSorb 100ml 50g Bag
Pack size
100 mL / 50 g bag
Cost per litre treated
$0.11
Water type
Freshwater + Saltwater
Media type
Copper-specific chelating adsorbent resin
Bottle treats
227 L
Media volume
100 mL
Seachem CupriSorb 100ml 50g Bag
Rapidly clears copper and heavy metals from aquarium water.
Seachem CupriSorb is a 100 mL bag of copper-specific chelating resin designed to strip copper and other heavy metals out of freshwater and saltwater aquariums. It works faster than carbon and, unlike simple cation exchange resins, stays effective in saltwater as well as freshwater, making it a go-to option for emergency copper removal after medicating with a copper-based treatment or dealing with metal contamination from tank hardware.
Key features
- Copper-specific chelating resin – extracts all types of copper, including chelated copper, from the water column.
- Removes multiple heavy metals – also draws out nickel, zinc, cobalt, cadmium and manganese.
- Faster than carbon – removes copper more rapidly and efficiently than activated carbon, useful for emergency copper removal.
- Works in freshwater and saltwater – as a true chelating resin it remains effective in marine systems, unlike ordinary cation exchange resins that only work in freshwater.
- Colour-change exhaustion indicator – beads turn a pronounced deep blue-black when spent, so you can see at a glance when it needs replacing or regenerating.
- Regenerable – can be regenerated repeatedly with a muriatic acid soak rather than discarded after one use.
- Will not leach back into the tank – does not release anything into the water, so it is compatible with all aquarium species while in use.
- High capacity – a 250 mL dose treats 600 L (150 US gallons) and removes up to 12 ppm (mg/L) of copper.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Seachem |
| Product | CupriSorb |
| Type | Copper-specific chelating adsorbent resin |
| Size | 100 mL / 50 g bag (SKU AA3653) |
| Removes | Copper (all forms, including chelated copper), nickel, zinc, cobalt, cadmium, manganese |
| Water type | Freshwater and saltwater |
| Regenerable | Yes, with a muriatic acid soak |
Dosage and directions
One 100 mL pre-bagged packet of CupriSorb treats up to 60 US gallons (approximately 227 litres). For loose media, the standard rate is 250 mL per 600 L (150 US gallons), removing up to 12 ppm (mg/L) of copper. Place CupriSorb in a filter media bag (such as Seachem's The Bag) positioned to maximise water flow through it, for example in a canister filter, chemical filtration module, box filter, or a high-flow area of a trickle filter.
| Aquarium volume | CupriSorb dose |
|---|---|
| 4 L (1 US gal) | 1.7 mL |
| 20 L (10 US gal) | 16.7 mL |
| 40 L (20 US gal) | 33 mL |
| 200 L (60 US gal) | 100 mL |
| 600 L (150 US gal) | 250 mL |
Suitable for / not suitable for
- Suitable for freshwater and saltwater aquariums, including reef tanks and invertebrate or shrimp tanks, as CupriSorb does not release anything back into the water.
- Not intended for permanent, continuous use in a filter – pulling out too much dissolved metal over time can deplete trace elements that fish, corals and invertebrates need, leading to tissue degradation, poor colouration and improper growth. Use it to bring elevated copper or heavy metal levels down, then remove or monitor it rather than leaving it running indefinitely.
Care and maintenance
- Watch the beads: a pronounced colour change to deep blue-black means the media is exhausted.
- Keep CupriSorb running for at least two weeks after a copper test reports a nil reading, to catch any further metal leaching from substrate.
- To regenerate, soak the resin in a non-metal container in a mix of 2 cups of water to ½ cup of muriatic acid (available from pool supply stores), for 1 hour, then rinse; repeat as needed until the original colour is restored. Always follow the warnings printed on the acid container and carry out the soak outdoors, away from children.
- After the acid soak, rinse well, add sodium bicarbonate until foaming stops, then rinse again before returning CupriSorb to use.
- If the original colour cannot be restored after several acid washes, the spent resin can instead be regenerated using Seachem HyperSorb or Purigen, or simply discarded.
Warranty, support and Australian notes
All statutory consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law apply to this product in addition to any rights arising from your purchase.
Common questions
What does Seachem CupriSorb remove?
It removes all forms of copper, including chelated copper, plus nickel, zinc, cobalt, cadmium and manganese. Seachem has no data confirming effectiveness against other heavy metals.
How much water will one 100 mL bag treat?
One 100 mL pre-bagged packet treats up to 60 US gallons (approximately 227 litres).
Is Seachem CupriSorb safe with corals and invertebrates?
Yes. It does not release anything into the water, so it is compatible with all aquarium species. Avoid leaving it running permanently, as removing too much trace metal can affect coral colouration and invertebrate health.
How do I know when CupriSorb is exhausted?
The beads develop a pronounced deep blue-black colour when spent. Keep it in use for at least two weeks after a copper test shows a nil reading, since substrate can continue to leach copper.
Can CupriSorb be reused?
Yes, it can be regenerated repeatedly using a muriatic acid soak followed by a sodium bicarbonate rinse. If the colour will not restore after several washes, it can be regenerated as HyperSorb or Purigen, or discarded.
Does it work in both freshwater and saltwater tanks?
Yes. Because CupriSorb is a chelating resin rather than a cation exchange resin, it remains effective in saltwater as well as freshwater.
