snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Snake's Guide to Chemical Filtration
Chemical filtration is using a chemical media to control the build up of toxins, chemicals, chloraphyll, nitrates, and phosphates. I say control because chemical filtration media does not necessarily eliminate them. So, lets talk about all the different types of medias, how to use them and when to use them for your saltwater aquariums benefit.
Lets first make a list of a few of the most common chemical medias:
1. Liquid medias such as Amquel and Prime
2. Carbon
3. Nitrate absorbers
4. Phosphate absorbers
Liquid chemical removers are quick fixes. They bind chemicals, such as ammonia, into much less toxic forms of ammonia. Ammonia is still present in the water, but just not as bad. Liquid chemical medias can also dechlorinate tap water. However, I highly suggest using Reverse Osmosis DeIonized water for the sake of being pure and chemical free top off water and freshwater to mix salt in. Liquid medias have their place - and it is good to have on hand if you have quarantine and hospital tanks. No telling when you may have to quickly set up a hospital tank and you only have tap water and need to dechlorinate it and make it safe before mixing saltwater - in that application, it is perfectly fine to use tap water in a pinch.
Carbon is absolutely essential to keeping a tank. Carbon reduces the amount of toxins that are in the water column that are released by many of our corals that are using chemical warfare to gain space. Carbon is also used to reduce gelstab - or the greenish/yellowish tint of the water caused by chlorophyll released from various algaes. Caution, however, because the extensive use of carbon has been linked to HLLE in some tangs.
Nitrate and phosphate absorbing medias do just that - they reduce the total amount of nitrate and phosphate from the water column. This comes in handy when no other form of filtration to reduce nitrate and phosphate is available - such as the use of a refugium or frequent weekly water changes. Phosphate reactors are commonly used to reduce or eliminate undesirable algaes from the saltwater aquarium and to promote good coralline algae growth. Phosphate absorbing medias are also called "GFO" or Granular Ferric Oxide - basically pure rust. The GFO needs to come in direct contact with the aquarium water - therefore it is essential to use it in a reactor for best results.
Each type of chemical filtration has its place - and each type can be utilized to ensure the health of your saltwater aquarium.
I personally prefer to run carbon and phosphate absorbing media in a reactor in my saltwater aquarium. This lets me know that there are no toxins building up, no tinting of my water, and it reduces the total amount of algae produced in my tank.
For more information on filtration, please check out my thread, Snake's Methods.
Chemical filtration is using a chemical media to control the build up of toxins, chemicals, chloraphyll, nitrates, and phosphates. I say control because chemical filtration media does not necessarily eliminate them. So, lets talk about all the different types of medias, how to use them and when to use them for your saltwater aquariums benefit.
Lets first make a list of a few of the most common chemical medias:
1. Liquid medias such as Amquel and Prime
2. Carbon
3. Nitrate absorbers
4. Phosphate absorbers
Liquid chemical removers are quick fixes. They bind chemicals, such as ammonia, into much less toxic forms of ammonia. Ammonia is still present in the water, but just not as bad. Liquid chemical medias can also dechlorinate tap water. However, I highly suggest using Reverse Osmosis DeIonized water for the sake of being pure and chemical free top off water and freshwater to mix salt in. Liquid medias have their place - and it is good to have on hand if you have quarantine and hospital tanks. No telling when you may have to quickly set up a hospital tank and you only have tap water and need to dechlorinate it and make it safe before mixing saltwater - in that application, it is perfectly fine to use tap water in a pinch.
Carbon is absolutely essential to keeping a tank. Carbon reduces the amount of toxins that are in the water column that are released by many of our corals that are using chemical warfare to gain space. Carbon is also used to reduce gelstab - or the greenish/yellowish tint of the water caused by chlorophyll released from various algaes. Caution, however, because the extensive use of carbon has been linked to HLLE in some tangs.
Nitrate and phosphate absorbing medias do just that - they reduce the total amount of nitrate and phosphate from the water column. This comes in handy when no other form of filtration to reduce nitrate and phosphate is available - such as the use of a refugium or frequent weekly water changes. Phosphate reactors are commonly used to reduce or eliminate undesirable algaes from the saltwater aquarium and to promote good coralline algae growth. Phosphate absorbing medias are also called "GFO" or Granular Ferric Oxide - basically pure rust. The GFO needs to come in direct contact with the aquarium water - therefore it is essential to use it in a reactor for best results.
Each type of chemical filtration has its place - and each type can be utilized to ensure the health of your saltwater aquarium.
I personally prefer to run carbon and phosphate absorbing media in a reactor in my saltwater aquarium. This lets me know that there are no toxins building up, no tinting of my water, and it reduces the total amount of algae produced in my tank.
For more information on filtration, please check out my thread, Snake's Methods.