Chemipure vs Carbon

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

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

It is quite correct that they claim it, and any positively charged polymer will bind some phosphate from pure fresh water (I have personally tested hundreds of polymers), but the effect will not extend to seawater for any polymer material where there is too much competition from ions such as chloride and sulfate.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

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.

There is no reason to want to. It won’t be useful to bind phosphate from seawater.

 

[ctopherl]

There is no reason to want to. It won’t be useful to bind phosphate from seawater.

I’m not really concerned about phosphate levels. All I know is I added ChemiPure blue and my water cleared right up (visually) so I’m wondering if there’s a way I can replicate whatever is in the “blue” formula more cheaply with a DIY mix.

 

[vetteguy53081]

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.

They label it as organic scavenger resin but will not disclose ingredients and to me , the pouch has right quantities they've determined and as Randy Farley stated - noy worth the effort.

 

[Dan_P]

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

Probably just advertising. It is not like they published data to support their claims. GAC should be good enough. If it will help, you can buy expensive GAC

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m not really concerned about phosphate levels. All I know is I added ChemiPure blue and my water cleared right up (visually) so I’m wondering if there’s a way I can replicate whatever is in the “blue” formula more cheaply with a DIY mix.

Yes, there are many ways to remove organics from the water. Various commercial polymers sold to hobbyists (e.g.Purigen) as well as GAC.

Can you buy these polymers in bulk from a supplier? Maybe, but I’ve not typically seen them marketed to consumers.

 

[Spare time]

I’m not really concerned about phosphate levels. All I know is I added ChemiPure blue and my water cleared right up (visually) so I’m wondering if there’s a way I can replicate whatever is in the “blue” formula more cheaply with a DIY mix.

ROX 0.8 carbon and maybe purigen. I think purigen is a waste of money though.

 

[ctopherl]

Yes, there are many ways to remove organics from the water. Various commercial polymers sold to hobbyists (e.g.Purigen) as well as GAC.

Can you buy these polymers in bulk from a supplier? Maybe, but I’ve not typically seen them marketed to consumers.

I may try purigen in that case if it is cheaper, the ROX 0.8 didn’t come close to having the same results as the ChemiPure blue!

 

[nano reef]

I accidentally bought BRS cheap GFO and it dosnt work anywhere near as well as the expensive stuff! The first year of starting the hobby I used chemipure elite and polyfilter. I cant remember if used carbon or purigan. I am thinking of going back to chemipure elite and thats how I ran across this! What do you recommend for removing organics and also phosphate control. Is there any chemical means to lower nitrates if you dont have a fuge? I just try not to overfeed and I add mb7 every 2 weeks or so! last few years I use a polyfilter, gfo and carbon but thinking about changing the recipe!

 

[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!

It is always in my systems as I run mixed reef tanks in which both SPS and LPS release toxins and it is an insurance policy for me not to mention keeping po4 in check and polishing of water. I change every 3-4 months

 

[vetteguy53081]

I accidentally bought BRS cheap GFO and it dosnt work anywhere near as well as the expensive stuff! The first year of starting the hobby I used chemipure elite and polyfilter. I cant remember if used carbon or purigan. I am thinking of going back to chemipure elite and thats how I ran across this! What do you recommend for removing organics and also phosphate control. Is there any chemical means to lower nitrates if you dont have a fuge? I just try not to overfeed and I add mb7 every 2 weeks or so! last few years I use a polyfilter, gfo and carbon but thinking about changing the recipe!

Just be careful and monitor po4 and no3 periodically as this stuff while fantastic and bring numbers down quickly

 

[vetteguy53081]

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.

By the the time you but the ingredients which I tried- I found myself better off buying the product and I even got materials at wholesale through my LFS

 

[jft]

I accidentally bought BRS cheap GFO and it dosnt work anywhere near as well as the expensive stuff! The first year of starting the hobby I used chemipure elite and polyfilter. I cant remember if used carbon or purigan. I am thinking of going back to chemipure elite and thats how I ran across this! What do you recommend for removing organics and also phosphate control. Is there any chemical means to lower nitrates if you dont have a fuge? I just try not to overfeed and I add mb7 every 2 weeks or so! last few years I use a polyfilter, gfo and carbon but thinking about changing the recipe!

I use polyfilter and chemipure blue . Used the elite, worked, but a combo of the blue with polyfilter seems to give me the cleansed and clearest water, and the polyfilter can easily be cut to size and will change color. It only gets a dull grey color in my Marine tanks but deep brown in freshwater. This combo is the best for my tank setups and I tried all combos over the years.