Removing 2yr old marinepure block

[Neo Jeo]

I have a marine pure block the very large one in my sump my sump is awfully small so I’ve been wanting to remove it just for more room I also have my water tested and it showing traces of aluminum 23ug/l . The goal is .10 or less.

my cat doesn’t say it’s high but it seems like any trace of aluminum is bad for an aquarium in knowing that this is the source I want to remove it.

my nitrates are at five on my phosphates are showing zero. should have any concern removing this or causing an aquarium crash?

I have over 160 pounds of life rock and a lot of corals and SPS.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I wouldn’t think that with 160 pounds or rock, taking the block out will matter at this point in an established tank. You could replace it with come ceramic rings or reef rubble if it makes you feel more confident. Just my 2-cents.

 

[Scorpius]

Be careful removing the block as I've heard they turn to mush over time.

 

[Neo Jeo]

Be careful removing the block as I've heard they turn to mush over time.

thanks for the tip. It feels like it will crumble

 

[Scorpius]

thanks for the tip. It feels like it will crumble

Might want to shop vac that part of the sump out and replace the water if you already have high aluminum.

 

[Neo Jeo]

Might want to shop vac that part of the sump out and replace the water if you already have high aluminum.

Good idea! Thanks

 

[2Wheelsonly]

Might want to shop vac that part of the sump out and replace the water if you already have high aluminum.

This is 100% what I would do. I had these in my first ever tank and once I found it they were the source of aluminum I took them out. They had been in roughly 1 year and as I picked them up the outer layers turned to liquid and the entire sump turned brown really quick so I shop vacc'ed the entire thing. Good thing the pumps were off, I was about to take them out while the tank was running and who knows what could have happened.

 

[Scorpius]

This is 100% what I would do. I had these in my first ever tank and once I found it they were the source of aluminum I took them out. They had been in roughly 1 year and as I picked them up the outer layers turned to liquid and the entire sump turned brown really quick so I shop vacc'ed the entire thing. Good thing the pumps were off, I was about to take them out while the tank was running and who knows what could have happened.

Yeah, the internet can make you paranoid about your tank sometimes but some of the horror stories about these marine pure blocks makes me happy I research stuff.

 

[moreef]

I just removed mine and it felt very fragile but didnt break apart on me. I also had metals show up in icp test so hoping that was the cause.

 

[ahiggins]

You’ve got more than enough surface area to remove it. I say go for it

 

[ReeferSteve]

Take the sump offline and remove it. It will definitely want to crumble on you. Then, clean up where it was.

 

[JumboShrimp]

My block sits flat inside a shallow Tupperware type lid, on the floor of the sump-- because 'yes,' eventually they do want to crumble. This way I just lift out the whole lid, straight up.

 

[vetteguy53081]

it may fall apart. Leave it be

 

[sp1187]

My block sits flat inside a shallow Tupperware type lid, on the floor of the sump-- because 'yes,' eventually they do want to crumble. This way I just lift out the whole lid, straight up.

how long have you been using them?

 

[JumboShrimp]

About a year-- it broke into 3 pieces right out of the box, but has been laying there without further breakage for the year. You can tell if you pick it up that it almost 'wants' to turn to powder, and so gentle handling is a must. That's why I have it in the plastic lid, because at the 2-3 year mark, who knows? Now that my tank is well established, I bet I could just throw ceramic rings or even more rock down in the sump without any ill effect. I'll probably keep the block until the 'disintegration' factor gets too high. LOL.

 

[saltyhog]

I had one in my sump for 2.5 years and took it out because of elevated Aluminum on my ICP test. It did not fall apart. It's pretty heavy with all the water so just to be sure get a hand under it to lift it out. I wouldn't be too worried about it falling apart.

My Aluminum issue did resolve after removing it.

 

[sp1187]

About a year-- it broke into 3 pieces right out of the box, but has been laying there without further breakage for the year. You can tell if you pick it up that it almost 'wants' to turn to powder, and so gentle handling is a must. That's why I have it in the plastic lid, because at the 2-3 year mark, who knows? Now that my tank is well established, I bet I could just throw ceramic rings or even more rock down in the sump without any ill effect. I'll probably keep the block until the 'disintegration' factor gets too high. LOL.

I'm running 5 of the 8x8's in my sump. 4 more in storage when those go.

 

[CivicS14]

I had one in my sump for 2.5 years and took it out because of elevated Aluminum on my ICP test. It did not fall apart. It's pretty heavy with all the water so just to be sure get a hand under it to lift it out. I wouldn't be too worried about it falling apart.

My Aluminum issue did resolve after removing it.

Did your tank show any negative effects with the elevated aluminum? I have 3 in my tank for over a year now and I have a mixed reef with no issues.

 

[saltyhog]

Did your tank show any negative effects with the elevated aluminum? I have 3 in my tank for over a year now and I have a mixed reef with no issues.

I really don't think so but I did see a little better growth and color after removing it. Of course, that could have been related to the increase in NO3 that I saw with removing it (from 0.5 up to 3).

 

[andrewkw]

You are suppose to rinse them every 3 months. I never rinsed mine for 3 years but since I have rinsed it twice.

This is what came out :

The next time I rinsed it after this it was not nearly as bad. The last time I touched mine it was still pretty hard and it was 4 or so years old at the time. This thread actually reminded me I should rinse it again. I've never done an icp test. No doubt it has leached aluminum but I'm not having any issues and I feel like the block did save me when I made a long distance move.