Chemipure vs Carbon

[jft]

Is the extra expense of chemipure blue vs Marineland carbon really worth it. Is purigen really better or JUST SLICK marketing?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Is the extra expense of chemipure blue vs Marineland carbon really worth it. Is purigen really better or JUST SLICK marketing?

I’ve used chemipure for last decade and say yes as it keeps phosphate in check, reduces toxins and offers the benefits of high grade carbon

 

[beesnreefs]

I’ve used chemipure for last decade and say yes as it keeps phosphate in check, reduces toxins and offers the benefits of high grade carbon

When you say you've used it for the last decade, can you help me understand more about your usage? Is it always in your system? How much? How often do you change it out?

Thanks!

 

[GobyGuy]

Haven’t found chemi pure blue to help phos as much as elite does - love both 1 yr continuous use

 

[beesnreefs]

Haven’t found chemi pure blue to help phos as much as elite does - love both 1 yr continuous use

I've never used the blue, only the Elite myself. Much like you, I found it helped immensely with phosphate management. Eventually, after about a year of continuous use, my system stabilized to a point I don't need the Elite anymore. Phosphates stay very consistently in the 0.03 - 0.06 range now without any GFO in the tank

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Regular Chemipure binds organics, as GAC does. If you want to directly bind phosphate, you need to use the elite. Any phosphate effect from Chemipure without GFO is by binding organics before they break down, like GAC and skimming also do.

 

[vetteguy53081]

When you say you've used it for the last decade, can you help me understand more about your usage? Is it always in your system? How much? How often do you change it out?

Thanks!

I change every 3 months and keep a pouch in the sump
Once upon a time I had an issue with phosphate and then with toxins in a mixed reef from leathers and since then- no issues and tanks always crystal clear

 

[jft]

Great responses, I am a fan of the elite in both Fresh and marine systems, anything else JUST slick marketing,

 

[LeftyReefer]

I used to keep one of the pre-filled packs of purigen in my filter, but got tired of recharging it.... so took it out and never put it back in and never noticed any difference, so I no longer use it now.

I've never used Chemipure blue, elite, or any other form of chemipure in my tank either, so have no opinion on any of them. I've never had to use anything like that to maintain water quality or low nutrients.

Even with a heavily (over?) stocked tank, nitrates and phosphates have always been kept low in my system.

I haven't run any carbon in my system in well over a year either.

 

[jft]

Yes I agree Purigen Never really turned me on . The 100 ml bags are good but I noticed only half the beads were saturated on on side only. Took them out of my systems and I much prefer the Polyfilter and chemipure elite, all systems doing great. Fresh water guys Love purigen but frankly carbon does alot more removing heavy metals unlike the purigen. So polyfilter and elite chemipure cover ALL the bases.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Fresh water guys Love purigen but frankly carbon does alot more removing heavy metals unlike the purigen. So polyfilter and elite chemipure cover ALL the bases.

What is the evidence that GAC removes heavy metals from seawater?

Many are almost entirely bound by organics (e.g., copper), and materials that bind those sorts of organics will export them, but I’m skeptical of much direct binding of bare metal ions to GAC from seawater.

 

[Alex's Nano Reef]

Chemi-Pure Blue is a go to for me i used to run purigen and carbon separate back in like 2014 and switched in 2016 never looked back

 

[jft]

What is the evidence that GAC removes heavy metals from seawater?

Many are almost entirely bound by organics (e.g., copper), and materials that bind those sorts of organics will export them, but I’m skeptical of much direct binding of bare metal ions to GAC from seawater.

Well known Polyfilter removes heavy metals and some carbons do remove metals also, I am by profession a Medical Pathologist so we have tested and verified that SOME DO, Thanks for your input,

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Well known Polyfilter removes heavy metals and some carbons do remove metals also, I am by profession a Medical Pathologist so we have tested and verified that SOME DO, Thanks for your input,

Sorry, but that’s not evidence. I too am an expert on binding metals and have patents to show for it in human therapeutic applications.

The aquarium hobby has made many serious mistakes assuming that if processes happen in freshwater, they will happen in seawater where competition from huge concentrations of other ions change the issue entirely.

That's why I asked for data. I’ve never seen any, and if it exists, I’d love to see it.

fWIW, I have no doubt a polyfilter will bind metals, although some of the manufacturer claims are not sensible and should not be believed (such as it turning red when aluminum binds).

 

[jft]

I am here as a Aquarist NOT to get into an arguement or show my expertise, according to articles I have read in the past and speaking with colleagues I have been informed That some carbons do remove metalsNOT all But some as i have been told by professionals working with carbon grades. I spend 90 % of my time fighting and curing disease, The remaining time is enjoying ALL Facets of the aquarium hobby. You have a NICE day.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I am here as a Aquarist NOT to get into an arguement or show my expertise, according to articles I have read in the past and speaking with colleagues I have been informed That some carbons do remove metalsNOT all But some as i have been told by professionals working with carbon grades. I spend 90 % of my time fighting and curing disease, The remaining time is enjoying ALL Facets of the aquarium hobby. You have a NICE day.

Great!

If anyone else ever runs across data that indicates GAC binds bare metal ions from seawater please alert me as I’d love to see it.

 

[ctopherl]

Regular Chemipure binds organics, as GAC does. If you want to directly bind phosphate, you need to use the elite. Any phosphate effect from Chemipure without GFO is by binding organics before they break down, like GAC and skimming also do.

The blue recipe also supposedly has some “phosphate reducing resin” that is somehow different from GFO. Any idea what that is in practice?

 

[vetteguy53081]

When you say you've used it for the last decade, can you help me understand more about your usage? Is it always in your system? How much? How often do you change it out?

Thanks!

I run it regularly and change every 90-100 days

 

[vetteguy53081]

The blue recipe also supposedly has some “phosphate reducing resin” that is somehow different from GFO. Any idea what that is in practice?

Elite has gfo while the blue has resins for low level control

 

[ctopherl]

Elite has gfo while the blue has resins for low level control

I am wondering if these “resins” are something I can buy in bulk to mix my own blue similar to how you can buy carbon/gfo to mimic elite. I think GFO would bottom out my P so that would be too aggressive.