Chemi Pure and Purigen

[frkysl]

I was using activated carbon pads and phosphate remover pads in my 5 gallon.
Deep Blue Professional ADB41002 Super Activated Carbon Media Pad
Deep Blue Professional ADB41004 Phosphate Remover Pad
I cut the size of HBO filter and they do the job perfectly. Water was really clean and had blue color. Unfortunately, carbon pad stays good just a month.

Anyway, I just upgrade my tank to to Nuvo Fusion 20. I do not have a media reactor and skimmer yet.

I can still use the pads but I believe, I need a lot to cover 20 gallon which will be expensive in long run.
I am thinking to use Chemi Pure and/or Purigen but I am not familiar both product. I need your suggestions and comments,

1) For Chemipure, there are couple different options like elite and blue... Which one is good for reef tank. Blue sounds good but I heard some people prefer elite. I am just curious why ?
2) Do I need both product in same time?
3) If I use Purigen do i need reactor or mesh bag is fine ?

Thank you :thumbsup:

[ReefWreak]

1) For Chemipure, there are couple different options like elite and blue... Which one is good for reef tank. Blue sounds good but I heard some people prefer elite. I am just curious why ?


Elite is often preferred because it includes GFO to absorb phosphates, whereas the other products are carbon+resin only


2) Do I need both product in same time?


Many of us run carbon and/or GFO, it depends what you want/need. Carbon polishes water. GFO absorbs phosphates, hopefully reducing algae growth.


3) If I use Purigen do i need reactor or mesh bag is fine ?

Thank you :thumbsup:

You can run it in a mesh bag, but ideally you would use a reactor. It gets used much faster and more efficiently in a reactor. This video really emphasized to me the importance of using a reactor if using carbon:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JP5Vu6OvLOI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

It's worth mentioning, full disclosure, that I prefer to run skimmer only, no carbon, GFO, or other media or mechanical filtration.

[dmw913]

If you don't want to run a reactor, pick up some custom caddys for the Nuvo Fusion - Get the inTank brand. Then, put a mix of carbon and gfo in a nylon sock and toss it in the caddy. I put it in the middle chamber of the caddy and run Purigen in the bottom one. I get the cheapest nylon stockings available at the grocery and cut them in half to make two filter bags. Discard upon exhaustion with no cleanup. I have also run ChemiPure Blue with good results but bulk carbon/GFO/Purigen is SO MUCH CHEAPER!

[frkysl]

After watching the video it makes sense to buy a reactor but until then I may go with some Chemipure.
I am planning to make some media basket which are adjustable. So it will be easy for me to use bags or socks.

Thank you for comments!

[Razor Blade]

inTank Media Basket
Chemi Pure Blue
Additional carbon if required

Chemi Pure Blue has a Purigen-like compound in it, as well as a phosphate absorbing media and carbon. The other two may outlast the carbon mixed in, so some people will run a small amount of carbon after a few weeks to a month in either a media bag or reactor. Chemi Pure Blue should be replaced approx every 2 months depending bio-load.

Hope that helps!

[frkysl]

Media baskets are unnecessary expensive. I went lab and built mine which costs around $10.

http://s18.postimg.org/cbn4mamgl/IMG_20150808_131304_89951.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/cbn4mamgl/) http://s18.postimg.org/rukkjeur9/IMG_20150808_131318_89950.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/rukkjeur9/) http://s18.postimg.org/u0evdwy7p/IMG_20150808_131327_89949.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/u0evdwy7p/)

They fit chamber very nice. I think gap is less then 1/16" for all side/

[homer1475]

Wow, I'm impressed with your DIY skills. Looks exactly like an InTank!

I'm not sure from the photos, but you might want to make the gap between the bottom of the rack and side walls a bit bigger, it looks a bit small. You get a lot of water flow through the basket, and if its to small a gap, you can overflow the back chambers.

[frkysl]

Wow, I'm impressed with your DIY skills. Looks exactly like an InTank!

I'm not sure from the photos, but you might want to make the gap between the bottom of the rack and side walls a bit bigger, it looks a bit small. You get a lot of water flow through the basket, and if its to small a gap, you can overflow the back chambers.

Honestly, I tried to make it at home and immediately figured out I need proper tools to do it. Hopefully, my lab has all tools that I need.
I had to stay and work at lab 2 days for couple of hours after work but worth it. It is really easy except drilling holes. Then I just superglue all together. By the way, It was my first time, doing something with acrylic sheets.

I made a try and flow looks ok (I will wait for new filter pad and Chemipure to put them in). I do not know how much gap other baskets have but mine has half inch gap at the bottom. ( if anyone know the gap of the first chamber in Nuvo Fusion 20, I can adjust according to it) Unless something stack the hole it should be fine. If it happens it happen with any media basket.

Thanks, :thumbsup: