Intank Media Composition

[Canadianeh]

I am planning to use two Intank media in my new reef tank.

Intank Media composition #1 (order from the top to bottom):
-Filter Floss
-Seachem Matrix Carbon in Seachem 180 micron mesh bag
-Seachem Purigen in Seachem 180 micron mesh bag

Intak media composition #2:
-Poly Filter pad
-Seachem Phosguard in Seachem 180 micron mesh bag
-Chemipure Blue

Two questions for you experts:

1. What do you think of the composition?
2. Do I install them from the beginning of the cycle, or after cycle is completed? If after cycle is completed, what do I install in these intank media while cycling?

Thanks

[Clown79]

You may want to ensure running chemipure blue with all that is safe. I believe it has the same products in it as the others you plan on using.

 

Most only run floss while cycling.

 

I only use phosguard when needed or it will deplete phosphates to 0 which isn't recommended

[Canadianeh]

You may want to ensure running chemipure blue with all that is safe. I believe it has the same products in it as the others you plan on using.

 

Most only run floss while cycling.

 

I only use phosguard when needed or it will deplete phosphates to 0 which isn't recommended

 

So Chemipure Blue and filter floss is enough once the tank is cycled? Don't need Sechem Phosguard and Seachem Activated carbon?

 

Also, what do you think filter floss vs poly filter pad?

[Clown79]

I can't advise on what products your tank will need. Each tank has different needs and at different times. During cycling most only run floss to remove particles and then advance to chemical media after the cycle.

 

The tank will be brand new, some advise not using phosguard or purigen right away. Proper maintenance should maintain low nutrient levels. Some do the opposite.

 

There is too clean of a tank.

 

 

I would research chemical filteration and read on each products uses and what can be mixed and shouldn't be mixed. That is the only way to properly understand the needs/uses of the products.

[Mariaface]

It really does sound like overkill, especially if used at recommended amounts (directions on the bottle likely assume that's the only media of its purpose you'll be using).

 

I'd start with just filter floss in both while cycling, but only if it's a 'hard cycle' with dry rock or organisms you don't mind killing. This'll remove particulates but leave all die-off in the tank's rocks to turn into dissolved organics, then ammonia/phosphate/others, etc.

 

If it's a soft cycle (let's say your rocks had beneficial hitchhikers), I'd run something to remove dissolved organics (like carbon), and dose something to 'lock' any present ammonia (for example, Seachem Prime).

 

Once your cycling is done and you're considering nutrient export options, consider the following: Mechanical filtration, dissolved organics filtration, phosphate filtration, heavy metal filtration.

 

Filter floss is my go-to for mechanical, because I can cut it to shape and throw it out afterwards. For dissolved organics, I go with an activated carbon (Matrixcarbon, ROX, etc). In a larger tank, maybe a nice skimmer as well. For phosphates, I run (a tenth of the recommended amount of) phosguard. That stuff is strong. And then heavy metals you don't particularly need to filter for unless you know/suspect they got into the tank. Cuprisorb, polyfilter, etc.

 

 

Purigen is another -very- strong product that you don't want to suddenly throw into your tank. It can strip the water column of pretty much everything quickly enough to give corals a shock. Unless you find need for it, I'd stick to activated carbon.

 

Chemipure Blue is convenient, especially for small tanks, but it may be more cost effective to run separate carbon/phosphate remover that you've mixed yourself. Trying to run all three won't really help you - they'll strip the tank quickly at first, and then become covered in bacterial film that renders media almost useless after 2 weeks.

[Canadianeh]

So can I add Chemipure blue after the cycling is complete to keep the water clear?

[Mariaface]

Of course

[Pancetta]

I do not consider myself an expert but I used Composition #2 in my Biocube 14g for 2 years.

Worked well for me.

 

David

[SouthFlorida_Tron]

I think you are reading to much into the chemical filtration game. In honesty, its a brand new system, start with either just the carbon, or just the chemipure blue....

 

I've done all of the above....

Chemipure/Purigen

Chemipure/Purigen/PhosBan

Chemipure/Phosban

Carbon/PhosBan

 

I now only use carbon in one tank, and only chemipure blue nano packs in the other...

 

Understand what each one does and how it will affect your system first before diving in blindfolded into a new system.

 

EDIT PS: I tried both floss and the poly pad... blue and white right? I much more prefer the floss, you can size it easier and fluffs better... preference though!