Paramedic®

Easy to dose reef-safe treatment for external parasites, dinoflagellates and problem algae.

As a reef-safe treatment for external parasites

Paramedic is most effective against Ich (Crytpocaryon irritans), Velvet (Amyloodinium ocellatum), and similar parasites that have a theront (free-swimming) stage.

Dose 1.5g/100 litres of aquarium water added twice per day 15 minutes before and after the tank is lit (once in the morning and once in the evening).  Add to a high flow area.  Do not let crystals settle on corals.  Treat for 20 days after the last visible symptoms as new parasites will still be looking for fish to attach to.

As a treatment for dinoflagellates and problem algae

Paramedic is an effective treatment for dinoflagellates and problem algae such as bryopsis.  It works both as a general water conditioner, reducing the free organics that feed the algae and breaking down their cells, and as a topical algaecide.  It is reef-safe at the recommended doses.

Dose to 1.5g/100 litres of aquarium water added once daily.  Treatment for dinoflagellates normally lasts for one week but can be extended.

For topical use as an algaecide carefully place a few crystals onto the surface of the algae.  It will rapidly break down the cells and the dead algae can be removed from the water after a few hours.  It is important that the crystals are not allowed to contact coral tissue or it will destroy the areas it touches, and care must be taken to prevent fish and inverts from feeding on the crystals.  If it is not possible to prevent fish from accessing the treatment area then treat at night when activity is less.

As a general water conditioner

Paramedic raises the ORP (oxidising qualities) of the water.  If the ORP is kept within a certain range it can help with water clarity and nutrient export.  The target ORP during treatment is 450mV, which is towards the upper range that it is naturally found in the oceans.

Dose 1g/100 litres of aquarium water added once daily as a maintained dose to raise ORP by approximately 50mV over 24hrs.  The actual ORP change in an aquarium depends on many factors including the amount of fish, corals and other invertibrates, whether ozone (O3) or UV are used, and the age of the water.

General information

If Paramedic is going to be used for more than 30 days it is recommended that an ORP measurement probe is added to the aquarium to monitor the levels and the dose adjusted to ensure it does not exceed 450mV for an extended period.  (Note that the ORP may peak above that temporarily when first added, depending on where the measurement probe is located.  This is why it is recommended to add Paramedic to a high flow area.  It is also possible that the measured ORP may fall slightly and then rise again over a few hours when treatment is first started.  This is because of the higher availability of free organics to oxidise in most aquariums.)

Paramedic can have a cumulative increasing effect on alkalinity with prolonged use at the higher treatment levels.  The actual increase depends on the aquarium and should be accurately measured over a 48h period.  It may be necessary to reduce supplemental alkalinity buffering during use to offset this increase.  If Paramedic is going to be used for more than 10 days it is recommended that alkalinity is monitored at least once every three days so corrective action can be taken if needed.  If alkalinity is stable after 30 days then normal monitoring can resume.

If overdosed Paramedic can be rapidly reduced by adding activated carbon to a high flow area in the aquarium.

After any treatment period, or if ceasing general use, there is no need to add anything to reduce the ORP as it will naturally fall back to the non-maintained level over the following days.

If you have any questions about the use of this product please contact us.

Available in the following sizes

Product safety information

• Download the latest Safety Data Sheet.
• For previous versions of the SDS please contact us.