Matrix carbon and purigen??

[Goose1505]

I'm new to the hobby and am currently cycling my 50g cube with 18g sump.

My question is are using both of these products beneficial or should I just use one. I don't have reactors and was planing on putting them in a bag in my sump where I drain to.

My understanding is one makes the water super clear and the other helps take out ammonia and nitrates?

Also what bags should I buy to hold these products in.

Please edcucate me as I am new. Thanks in advance.

 

[DFW]

Seachem makes a bag that is appropriate for the Purigen's very fine particles. I use a paint strainer bag for carbon. I would use these products only when there is a need for them.

 

[msderganc]

I'm new to the hobby and am currently cycling my 50g cube with 18g sump.

My question is are using both of these products beneficial or should I just use one. I don't have reactors and was planing on putting them in a bag in my sump where I drain to.

My understanding is one makes the water super clear and the other helps take out ammonia and nitrates?

Also what bags should I buy to hold these products in.

Please edcucate me as I am new. Thanks in advance.

Both fill similar purposes of adsorbing impurities in the water. Ammonia should be processed by bacteria in your tank, not the carbon. I suppose carbon and purigen do help with nitrates, but I wouldn't rely on them entirely. Your skimmer will be your primary nutrient (nitrate/phosphate) export method. Most people don't just run a skimmer, they generally have a secondary method (carbon dosing, GFO, zeolites, macroalgae, algae scrubbers, etc).

As for carbon and purigen, you can run both, either one, or neither. Most people run carbon as it will (as you mentioned) clarify the water, but it's also a bit of a safety net in case something like chlorine or chloramine get into the tank. I personally run both since they adsorb slightly different things, and Purigen discolors so you know it's spent.

I also prefer to run them passively (a bag in the sump) vs active reactors. It's just easier to change for me, less escapes the bag, and I haven't found a benefit to running actively.

 

[Goose1505]

Thanks for the advice. I may just start with the matrix carbon.
If I do run both is there one I should have on top of the other as far as when I set them in my sump like a basket?

 

[msderganc]

Thanks for the advice. I may just start with the matrix carbon.
If I do run both is there one I should have on top of the other as far as when I set them in my sump like a basket?

No, in fact, I'd separate them. It's all about surface area for adsorption, and stacking them would reduce that a little bit.