Coptrol is a water-soluble chelated copper compound in which the copper is held so tightly it cannot be "stolen" by contact with other substances. It uses special organic chelating agents resulting in a uniquely effective algicidal action. It offers a new approach in the control of free-floating and filamentous algae in aquatic environments.

Algae seek out Coptrol for its nutrient value and absorb it through their cell wall. Digestive enzymes within the cell break down the compound and release copper within the cell to kill algae.

Generally speaking most types of blue green algae such as all free floating and filamentous green algae including brown slime.

When used in accordance with the label directions, Coptrol will not harm livestock, birds drinking the water. However Coptrol should not be used on areas where large numbers of water fowl are feeding on filamentous algae. Some fish are extremely sensitive and Coptrol is not recommended unless algae are causing a serious problem. If water containing fish or crustacea is to be treated refer to the requirements detailed in Coptrol use in Aquaculture.

Coptrol targets algae. It is a copper miser, when compared with copper sulphate (bluestone) it uses one fifth to one eighth of the amount required if copper sulphate was used and achieves a better result. Results are apparent soon after application. When used as directed it does not harm humans, stock, wildlife, plants.

It is completely safe when used in human drinking water. There is no risk to domestic animals where Coptrol is used in farm impoundments. It will not corrode metal surfaces such as water tanks, irrigation equipment, spray valves and pumps.

It is not corrosive to aircraft and aircraft equipment. It will not build up in the soil.

Coptrol is specific to algae in water and should not be used for aquatic weed control. Common weeds often mistaken for algae are Duckweed, Azolla and Salvinia.

It will not harm plants and golf greens. No withholding period is required when used as directed.

Coptrol should not be used in rivers, streams, creeks, lakes, billabongs, or wetlands.

Coptrol will not kill aquatic weeds. Common weeds often mistaken for algae are Duckweed, Azolla and Salvinia.

Before applying the product read the Material Safety Data Sheet and the safety directions.

Coptrol is easy to apply. First, measure and dilute the required amount of Coptrol; in about one in ten in water, then apply evenly over the surface of the water being treated.

Coptrol may be applied from aircraft, from boats or can be sprayed from the banks of larger storage's. It may be dripped directly into flowing water in high volume treatments such as flood irrigation water.
Here are recommended general application rates.

Chelated *copper the active ingredient of Coptrol has been shown to be more effective than copper sulphate in the control of algae. Its advantages are:

Lower concentrations of copper are required for the same result.

Application rates are less critical than bluestone.

Copper persistence in the water at an algae toxic levels is longer.

Treated water medicated with Coptrol can be used for irrigation and for potable water. Water treated with bluestone cannot be used in irrigation or drinking (potable) water.

It precipitates very quickly - Copper sulphate is precipitated by carbonate hardness, accumulating in sediment at the bottom of the storage and is quickly rendered unavailable to control algae. In normal water the free copper ions which are toxic to algae combine rapidly with the carbonate ions and fall to the bottom as insoluble copper compounds within an hour. Chelated copper (Coptrol) is stable in hard water and remains available to be absorbed from the water by algae.
It is difficult to apply - Bluestone irritates the eyes and skin, is very corrosive to equipment, is invasive in aircraft instruments and is hard to spread evenly from the air.
It is affected by humic content - The greater the humic content in the water, the quicker copper is tied up and precipitated out. Decomposing plant matter is thus a major limiting factor in achieving the required results from bluestone.
It exacerbates livestock toxicity problems - Because so much Copper from bluestone precipitates out rapidly as insoluble carbonates and hydroxides, copper build-up in the soil and pastures is a continuing problem. Copper toxicity in sheep grazing on sub clover, or where Heliotrope or Patterson's Curse is present is well known in many irrigation areas. Unlike copper sulphate, chelated* copper is not precipitated by carbonate hardness and is dissociated to release more copper as it is absorbed from the water by algae.

*(Chelation is a process which chemically binds metal ions to other molecules - known as chelating agents - making the final compound very stable).

In normal circumstances, use of Coptrol to treat stock water,dams or waterways will not present a toxicity problem. On the contrary, copper deficiency in pastures grazed with sheep and cattle in large areas of NSW, Australia, has been a persistent problem for many years. Hungerford (1975) stated that animals grazing from a pasture which contains less than 4 ppm of copper will certainly suffer from Copper deficiency. He further suggested that the popular copper sulphate worm drench of earlier years may have masked the inherent copper deficiency over wide areas of pasture in NSW.

Word of caution: Blue-green algal blooms occur when there are high nutrient levels in the water, low flows in rivers, low wind and high temperatures.
The main problem with blue-green algae is the ability of some, to produce highly potent toxins. The toxins produced can persist in water for weeks.

In Australia no recorded human deaths have been attributed to blue-green algal toxins. The best documented case of human deaths occurred in Brazil, where around 75 dialysis patients died after direct exposure to toxins in their dialysis fluid. However, many stock deaths have been documented in Australia. The first scientifically documented case of an algal bloom causing deaths was in South Australia's Lake Alexandrina in 1878, where cattle, pigs,horses and sheep died within hours of drinking contaminated water.The toxins produced can persist in water for weeks. The toxins can also be concentrated by shellfish, which pose a potential health risk if they are consumed.

Click for more information on Blue-green Algae.

Modern sensors now exist to detect algae and determine the presence of cyanobacteria. More details may be obtained by contacting RCI.

Extreme diligence should be exercised when treating potable water supplies which are heavily infested. As each water storage is unique it is recommended to obtain & rely on specific independent advice.

Treatment of algal blooms with Coptrol will cause the dead algae to release the neurotoxins into the water immediately. These toxins may present a hazard to livestock immediately upon treatment and for a further period of about 28 days. The degree of risk depends on the type of algae present, the level of infestation and the time taken for aquatic bacteria to detoxify the toxins. Learn how to identify specific types of blue green algae.

However, if the treatment is not undertaken immediately the algae will continue to bloom, releasing increasing amounts of toxin into the stock water supply with inevitable serious results. When Coptrol treatment finally occurs the released toxins will be present in the water at much higher rates and for much longer periods. It is best to treat algal blooms early and to exclude livestock for at least 28 days.

Check the Blue-green algae safety check list.

The alkaloid in Ragwort weed (Seneca jacobaea), which is toxic to horses and cattle, does not affect sheep which often graze on the weed. However, the Ragwort alkaloid reduces the sheeps' ability to excrete copper and thus Coptrol should not be used in water sources where sheep are grazing on Ragwort.

For more information on fish see Coptrol use in Aquaculture.

USEFUL HINT: Decomposing algae treated with Coptrol may lead to oxygen depletion of the water. Lack of oxygen may cause fish to suffocate. Therefore, in bodies of water containing fish, it is best to kill algae slowly. It is recommended to treat only one third of the area, then wait 10 days to allow the oxygen level to build up again. Then, resume the treatment beginning from the shore and moving outwards in bands to avoid trapping fish in treated areas.

Water treated with Coptrol at copper levels of 0.2 ppm to 1.0 ppm present no hazard when used for watering or irrigating green pastures or crops. Copper as a micro-nutrient is frequently included in all-purpose fertilizers. Copper is also used liberally in horticultural pesticide formulations, such as copper oxychloride and Bordeaux mixture.

Yes, swimming, fishing,(except in blue-green algae infestations) and other recreational activities will not be inhibited by treatment of the water with Coptrol.

When Coptrol is used at rates authorised on the label, it will not present any hazard to companion animals. What humans can drink, pets can also.

The active life will depend on the level of algae present at time of treatment. Coptrol is only removed from treated water when it is killing algae. Algae seek out Coptrol for its nutrient value and absorb it into their cell wall. Digestive enzymes within the cell break down the compound and release the copper within the cell to kill algae. Copper persistence in the water at algae toxic levels is longer than with old-fashioned inorganic copper compounds such as bluestone.

Generally speaking no. Used at the correct rate, Coptrol will control most infestations in a single treatment. However, there are a number of situations where more than one treatment is advisable. In bodies of water containing fish, it is best to kill algae slowly. It is recommended to treat only one third of the area, then wait 10 days to allow the oxygen level to build up again. In particularly heavy infestations of mixed algae, a second treatment after 10­ -15 days may prove useful to ensure clean sparkling water.

The three components of Coptrol are specifically exempted from the schedules of the NHMRC* Uniform Poisons Standard. Coptrol can be used in all water for human consumption. However, if the water tank is sealed from sunlight algae cannot grow and treatment with Coptrol is unnecessary.
*National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.

Yes, Coptrol can be used at any time of the year, providing water temperature does not fall below 16°C (61°F).

Because it is a highly soluble liquid Coptrol is really easy to apply. For general application to farm dams/ponds, simply dilute 1:10 to 1:20 with water and spray evenly over the surface from aircraft, from boats or pontoons, from the banks of smaller storage's or even dripped directly into flowing water.

Algae, or slime, are a perpetual problem in rice crops in Australia and in other parts of the world. In some years there are so many algae in the water that great slabs lie all over the surface smothering the emerging crop.

Coptrol offers a new approach in the prevention and control of free floating and filamentous algae in rice.

Far from being irritant and invasive, it is extremely adaptable in application. It can:

Piggyback on herbicide and insecticides flown on to aerially sown or drill sown crops.

Be mixed with water and dripped in to water flowing into bays.

Be poured from banks directly into flooded bays.

When using Coptrol in a tank mix with chlorpyrifos RCI Compatibility Agent should be added at the rate of 1 % of the total volume of mix. This protects the two products from reacting with each other. And allows growers the opportunity of flying both Coptrol and the insecticide on together.

No.

It is a different formula using a superior method of chelation.

Coptrol contains more Copper and more Chelating agent, you can observe the difference by comparing the viscosity of the products. The competition has a watery consistency, whereas Coptrol has the consistency of honey.

Copper is the active ingredient that kills the algae; the chelating agent is the method used to deliver copper into an algal cell. Most importantly the chelating agent protects copper from reacting with other chemicals and the environment.

Yes, reducing the chelating agent available will potentially reduce the stability of the compound.

Unlike Coptrol, competitive products have up to 20% water added to their formulations. The effect of this extra water is:
The product will have a reduced ability to protect a crop from algal growth when used as a preventative.
Lower levels of chelate will mean tank mixes with other products will be less stable and more likely to react with the other chemicals included in a mix.
It is less effective when dealing with brown slime.
It cannot be used with the compatibility agent.

There are a number of ultrasound products on the market. These devices transmit inaudible (to us) sound pulses into the water using different frequencies, all within the ultra sound range. The ultra sound waves inhibit algal cell reproduction but the sound waves are not algicidal. Various species of algae react differently to the waves and some, notably the Chara group, as well as many others in the algae family, are not affected by the sonic waves.

Under Australian conditions where algae can grow rapidly, often into thick clumps or masses, it is common for the algal challenge to overwhelm the sonic waves. A number of our customers use wavelength devices to inhibit algal bloom but find under Australian summer conditions Coptrol is required to eliminate the algae. Our conclusion is that this technology cannot operate successfully as the only method of algae control particularly through Australian summer months.

3 Years

The Coptrol label clearly states “water treated with this product will not adversely affect plants and may be used immediately to water fairways,putting greens, ornamental plants” See here for further details.