Why I hate Chemi-pure

[Nehsmit]

Hi All,

 

The very first time I used chemo-pure, I had rinsed it as stated and the next day my entire tank crashed. There was black sediment floating all around. Since then I rinse the crap out of it until it runs essentially clear. I then put it into the tank but even 3 years later, every time i add new chemi pure or elite, I freak out for fear of crashing my tank.

 

What do you all do? DO you rinse it till it runs clear or just deal with the black sediment?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

[HarryPotter]

Hi All,

 

The very first time I used chemo-pure, I had rinsed it as stated and the next day my entire tank crashed. There was black sediment floating all around. Since then I rinse the crap out of it until it runs essentially clear. I then put it into the tank but even 3 years later, every time i add new chemi pure or elite, I freak out for fear of crashing my tank.

 

What do you all do? DO you rinse it till it runs clear or just deal with the black sediment?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

It says to wash it- you have to wash it until the water runs clear. The black sediment is very fine GFO and carbon- dangerous

[CJJon]

Would it not have been better (and a refreshing change) if you had titled your post, "Why I like Chemi-Pure"?

 

I mean, you must really like the stuff if you crashed your tank the first time out and have been using it in fear ever since. Perspective I guess.

 

So, what are the reasons you like Chemi-Pure so much that you endeavor to keep using it despite your three years of angst?

[tjwaggoner]

You're supposed to rinse the fines out of it first. Carbon breaks up as it rubs against itself in shipping and general handling of the material. Chemi pure isn't unique in this need. Any filter media should be rinsed before putting it in your tank

[Addinali]

Hate is a strong word I feel.

How about why I am uncomfortable using chemi pure

[seabass]

To be fair, you have to follow the directions for any product that you use. And the directions state to rinse prior to use. It says to rinse lightly; however (when I used it), I put it in a small container of RO/DI water, swished it around, emptied the water, and repeated until the resulting water was almost clear.

However, what I don't get, is how the activated carbon and GFO are supposed to remain effective for 4 to 6 months. I can't get past the fact that other (even high quality) brands of activated carbon and GFO lose their effectiveness much sooner.

I have used Chemipure Elite in the past, with good results, but for shorter periods of time (like a couple of weeks). However, I consider it too expensive for such short periods of use. And you can't just change out the GFO portion when the phosphate level starts to rise. Also, you cannot adjust the media ratio based on your specific needs.

 

However, it seems like a quality product, and I don't mean to bash it. But I will continue to buy separate chemical media (GAC and GFO) in order to maintain better control over the media ratio and its lifespan. And yep, I still have to rinse it.

[Nehsmit]

I appreciate all the feed back. I don't really hate the product, just the angst. AND I have read and re-read the instructions many times. It only says to"rinse lightly" AND no where does it say to rinse until it runs clear.

[reefernanoman]

I have used chemipure since 2005 and never have had any issues except once when I was starting out, and I don't think that it was because of the chemipure. The only time I did kill my pistol shrimp and goby combo was when I changed the chemipure, cleaned out my sponge and did a water change all at once. Now, I never do all those things simultaneously and I use filter floss instead of sponges . I used to use it for 6 months but I don't think that it's any good after that long because of what all the experts and everyone says, so now I change my chemipure blue about every 2 to 3 months.

[HarryPotter]

I appreciate all the feed back. I don't really hate the product, just the angst. AND I have read and re-read the instructions many times. It only says to"rinse lightly" AND no where does it say to rinse until it runs clear.

 

I would think that for anyone who has used carbon or other media, that is pretty well known (To wash until clear)

 

Bummer, but I'm glad its working out for you now

 

 

I have used chemipure since 2005 and never have had any issues except once when I was starting out, and I don't think that it was because of the chemipure. The only time I did kill my pistol shrimp and goby combo was when I changed the chemipure, cleaned out my sponge and did a water change all at once. Now, I never do all those things simultaneously and I use filter floss instead of sponges . I used to use it for 6 months but I don't think that it's any good after that long because of what all the experts and everyone says, so now I change my chemipure blue about every 2 to 3 months.

 

 

I just started with ChemiPure blue- how are you using it? I have it in a media basket but am concerned that the water is not flowing through it (But rather around it)

[pgrVII]

 

I would think that for anyone who has used carbon or other media, that is pretty well known (To wash until clear)

 

Bummer, but I'm glad its working out for you now

 

 

 

 

I just started with ChemiPure blue- how are you using it? I have it in a media basket but am concerned that the water is not flowing through it (But rather around it)

If it's going through an intank basket it has water going through it Harryjsinger, don't you worry bout that.

[HarryPotter]

If it's going through an intank basket it has water going through it Harryjsinger, don't you worry bout that.

 

Haha probably right- I just want to squish it in a little more next time I clean the floss. I don't want the water to go around the bag

[SchnauzerFace]

I have read and re-read the instructions many times. It only says to"rinse lightly" AND no where does it say to rinse until it runs clear.

 

If you've finished "rinsing lightly" and the water still runs black ... why would you still put it into your tank? Maybe the instructions could be clearer, but this sounds like pretty basic refkeeping, imo. If water passes through something and comes out black on the other end, maybe it still needs more light rinsing...

[Cencalfishguy56]

Hi All,

 

The very first time I used chemo-pure, I had rinsed it as stated and the next day my entire tank crashed. There was black sediment floating all around. Since then I rinse the crap out of it until it runs essentially clear. I then put it into the tank but even 3 years later, every time i add new chemi pure or elite, I freak out for fear of crashing my tank.

 

What do you all do? DO you rinse it till it runs clear or just deal with the black sediment?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

That's weird I had a bag rip open on me and I had a hell of a mess but no tank crash to any degree

[reefernanoman]

I would think that for anyone who has used carbon or other media, that is pretty well known (To wash until clear)

 

Bummer, but I'm glad its working out for you now

 

 

 

 

 

I just started with ChemiPure blue- how are you using it? I have it in a media basket but am concerned that the water is not flowing through it (But rather around it)

I make sure that I don't have too much flow and use the correct bag size. I am using the 5.5 oz bag in my nc 28g (one bag) and two bags of Chemipure blue nano in my fusion 10G. Both tanks have the InTank media baskets and the water flows through the media correctly. The only time it doesn't is when I have used media bags that are too big or the filter floss gets clogged.