Zinc and aluminum remover

[nybern]

Received my water test back and have high zinc 9.8 and aluminum 52.2 in the water. What can I do to remove them without water changes? Anyone know of a good product? I'm trying not to do water changes since I started the Reef Moonshiners method.

 

[fishguy242]

Metazorb.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, those numbers are not likely high enough to be a significant issue, but I would try to prevent them from getting higher.

There are a number of metal binders that may work (polyfilter, metasorb, cuprisorb), but removing the source is also desirable.

Most people with elevated aluminum use white media in their sumps. Do you have any?

Zinc can come from overdosing a trace element additive, or metal parts in the water.

 

[nybern]

FWIW, those numbers are not likely high enough to be a significant issue, but I would try to prevent them from getting higher.

There are a number of metal binders that may work (polyfilter, metasorb, cuprisorb), but removing the source is also desirable.

Most people with elevated aluminum use white media in their sumps. Do you have any?

Zinc can come from overdosing a trace element additive, or metal parts

FWIW, those numbers are not likely high enough to be a significant issue, but I would try to prevent them from getting higher.

There are a number of metal binders that may work (polyfilter, metasorb, cuprisorb), but removing the source is also desirable.

Most people with elevated aluminum use white media in their sumps. Do you have any?

Zinc can come from overdosing a trace element additive, or metal parts in the water.

In my sump I use socks, nano tech bio spheres and some small rock.
I have cuprisorb will put some in and get some polyfilter. Next test I'm sending 3 weeks hoping will go down.
Thank you

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The biospheres may be the aluminum source.

 

[nybern]

The biospheres may be the aluminum source.

I thought thy were the better option that don't leach. But I could be wrong.
I think I'll try the curbasorb and polyfiler. Then remove send in a test. Then remove the bio spheres before I send in the next test to see if that it. Do you think that a good idea?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I thought thy were the better option that don't leach. But I could be wrong.
I think I'll try the curbasorb and polyfiler. Then remove send in a test. Then remove the bio spheres before I send in the next test to see if that it. Do you think that a good idea?

That's certainly possible, but unless you have a clear reason to want it there, I'd remove it.

 

[nybern]

The biospheres may be the aluminum source.

I thought thy were the better option that don't leach. But I could be wrong.
I think I'll try the curbasorb and polyfiler. Then remove send in a test. Then remove the bio spheres be

That's certainly possible, but unless you have a clear reason to want it there, I'd remove it.

Ok I'll remove them thanks for all your help

 

[bj274]

The biospheres may be the aluminum source.

I too have high aluminum 126.7 ug/l. I have a big bio block not sure how old, probably about 4 yrs. Is that the cause and should it be removed?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I too have high aluminum 126.7 ug/l. I have a big bio block not sure how old, probably about 4 yrs. Is that the cause and should it be removed?

I think it’s a likely cause and at that level I’d remove it.

 

[bj274]

I think it’s a likely cause and at that level I’d remove it.

Will this have an adverse affect on the beneficial bacteria and pod population? Will the rock and sand be enough, or should I add a different type of bio media to seed before removing the old one?
Hard decision from a simple mind like mine that has repeatedly heard the more surface area you have for beneficial bacteria the better. LOL
I also have a refugium if it makes a difference.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Asked differently, I don’t think the bacteria are an issue if there is a reasonable amount of rock or sand.

I don’t think it’s likely to impact pods.