Marine Pure Bricks

[Michael Allen]

So I just ordered a couple (2) 8x8x1" marine pure blocks I will be using in place of sand in my sump. I have the marine pure balls in my Bio cube and they seem to be doing great, growing lots of filter feeders and sponge. So figured I would attempt the same thing in my new build.

Question - Should i add the big brick 8x8x4" or is surface area 8x8x1" better than volume.

Thoughts, insight, advice, experience? All welcomed. Thanks reefers!

 

[Picesduh]

Following as I am also planning the same. There are other makers of similar products so it would be great if someone can share their experiences using those blocks

 

[SPR1968]

I’ve got 4 x Brightwell NO3 Bricks the first 2 of which started to break up into ‘sand’ (which they replaced to be fair) so I’ve also got 1 x Marine Pure Block (the large one which I think is 8x8x4) which I tried.

They all work but I’m more swayed to the marine pure so far as it looks a lot more solid and less prone to breaking down.

 

[Michael Allen]

I’ve got 4 x Brightwell NO3 Bricks the first 2 of which started to break up into ‘sand’ (which they replaced to be fair) so I’ve also got 1 x Marine Pure Block (the large one which I think is 8x8x4) which I tried.

They all work but I’m more swayed to the marine pure so far as it looks a lot more solid and less prone to breaking down.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

 

[Picesduh]

Has anyone tried Detox Blox by Aqua Tecture?

 

[Picesduh]

Any one?

 

[Burrito]

I’m doing the same and am going with 2 of the 8x8x1 and a gal of the marine pure balls.

I passed on the big block due to space

 

[ikolbaba06]

Seachem matrix is very similar in adding denitrification to an aquarium. Very underrated in my opinion and will not break down like the blocks or spheres. It does take a good 2 months plus to become sufficient enough to drop nitrates. I’m not sure if it’s related but since adding the matrix my phosphates are never very elevated despite feeding heavily. Possibly more related to coral stocking and growth than matrix causing a direct drop in phosphates.

 

[VR28man]

To the OP: it depends on what you want to do. multiple 1" cubes aren't advertised by the manufacturer to be as effecitive in denitrification. That being said, they said it needs to be in a fairly low flow area to be effective for denitrification.

I never had any luck with denitrification until I tried seachem matrix, which with carbon dosing was key in getting my nitrates down to around 0.

And be advised many people have reported higher Al concentrations linked with Marinepure. I had this for a year, and recently an ICP test came in with Al off the charts. It will go out as soon as I have more matrix ready to compensate for the loss in nitrifying bacteria...............

 

[Nobbygas]

I use a Marine Pure large block in my RSM S-650. Does it work? Well, my Nitrates are locked at about 10ppm, and I feed heavily, so as far as that goes, it appears to be working. There is minimal break-up of the block. Of course, it is not just the Marine Pure block that helps with reducing/controlling the Nitrates, there are also things like Skimmers, but it is an integral part of the whole package and requires zero maintenance. It's a win for me.

 

[Wurst]

I've got two of the 4" blocks stacked in a low flow area of refugium for the past 2-3 months, but they aren't helping with nitrate reduction. Probably more of a phosphate imbalance issue as I can't ever read any. Removed the GFO I was running so will see how that goes in a month or so.

 

[Michael Allen]

Thanks for the input everyone, I have a bag 32oz of the marine pure balls in my bio-cube they have all kinds of sponge and feather dusters growing. and my nitrates and phosphates are stable, but i don't feed very heavy on that tank.

My big tank i have 3 of the 8x8x1 bricks now, all on the bottom of my sump. they have some sponge starting to grow. will be adding an algae scrubber and a big skimmer next.

 

[CDavmd]

I’ve got 4 x Brightwell NO3 Bricks the first 2 of which started to break up into ‘sand’ (which they replaced to be fair) so I’ve also got 1 x Marine Pure Block (the large one which I think is 8x8x4) which I tried.

They all work but I’m more swayed to the marine pure so far as it looks a lot more solid and less prone to breaking down.

wait a year! It breaks down just the same. Mine is a powdery mess in my sump....and my Aluminum levels by Triton and ATI have shot up significantly. Is this a detriment? Yet to be determined. I for one however am done with this stuff. Not worth the mess. Pond matrix or siporax may be a cleaner alternative.

 

[Acroporaaddict]

Any one?

Got a free one with my vidarock purchase. Plan on using it on my new setup. It looks much more sturdy than the marinepure I have in my current setup. Detox block looks like sand grains glued together. I'll upload a picture tonight

 

[starypotter]

Following along as well, I'm going between a DSB in the sump and one of the block products.

 

[CodyRVA]

Sintered glass works just as well if not better and doesn't crumble like marine pure... my .02

 

[Michael Allen]

wait a year! It breaks down just the same. Mine is a powdery mess in my sump....and my Aluminum levels by Triton and ATI have shot up significantly. Is this a detriment? Yet to be determined. I for one however am done with this stuff. Not worth the mess. Pond matrix or siporax may be a cleaner alternative.

I mean, my marine pure balls are all still intact and have been in the sump about 10 months. maybe a few more months will yield some breakdown. For now they all still look good, just lots of stuff growing on them

 

[Acroporaaddict]

My 2 marinepure blocks haven't crumbled and I've had them in my system 19 months

 

[Acroporaaddict]

Double post

 

[Picesduh]

Got a free one with my vidarock purchase. Plan on using it on my new setup. It looks much more sturdy than the marinepure I have in my current setup. Detox block looks like sand grains glued together. I'll upload a picture tonight

Please post a pic