I’ll check parameters right when I get home, maybe this weekend I can do a big water change. I’m stopping by Petco on the way to get chemi pure. So could I use something like this and just stuff it in the extra compartment?
So that is just filter floss, it's a mechanical media that will help trap particulate mater in your water. Absolutely nothing wrong with it, except it's expensive for what it is. A cheaper alternative is to get PolyFil from Walmart or a craft store, it is absolutely the same stuff (it's the stuffing they put inside pillows and things).
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Poly-Fil...t_PBNS-wogMX_NG7grV-6H9TM5pEocvxoCmu8QAvD_BwE
But other than the price, that PetCo floss is just fine. I use PolyFill myself, and I think most reefers would actually have that filter floss in the very first section of your filter system. Meaning, the water should flow through that filter floss, then through your ChemiPure or whatever else you have in your filter.
Pull that floss every 3 days (ideally) to once a week (more realistic) and you'll be pulling a lot of stuff out of your tank that would otherwise just be rotting and breaking down, feeding algae. Make sure you pull and replace the floss media routinely, or your not really removing the detritus from your system, it will simply rot in the floss and still pollute your tank.
Would you say get chemi pure elite or blue?
I'm hesitant to make a recommendation here. I do use and like the regular ChemiPure (which is basically just good quality carbon), and I think ChemiPure Blue has some extras that may do you well on a small tank. If I remember correctly, that ChemiPure Elite has some resins that also remove phosphate, and I'd just be a little concerned that it would pull too much phosphate out of the water.
Maybe some others who use the ChemiPure Elite would have a better idea?
If it were me and I was at PetCo, I'd get the regular ChemiPure or the ChemiPure Blue. I'd start there, and see how things go. With saltwater tanks, I think most of us don't rely on cartridges, pads or products from the pet store shelf. We mostly rely on circulation and your rock and sand to process nitrogenous waste, and then try for options like a protein skimmer, a refugium, or even carbon dosing to further reduce nitrates and phosphates if needed. More of a natural approach, if you will.
EDIT: On smaller tanks, large water changes are a great way to keep your nitrate/phosphate in check, while also bringing all your other parameters back towards the "ideal" range, and is a very simple way for you to manage your tank ;-)
I'm sure other reefers will be along soon to offer their suggestions!
As always, best of luck!
