Aluminum Removal?

[Lazys Coral House]

Hi all, I have a decent size aquaculture business with lots of frags. I use ceramic plugs, and as a result the system has quite a bit of Aluminum in it. Large water changes are not able to keep up with it and when it gets to high I have had STN events with acros and my leathers close up. After a large 75% water change it takes a good week or two for them to open up back up. I am not 100% sure this is from Aluminum but I would like to eliminate this as a potential cause. Does anyone know if there is some type of media available that absorbs aluminum?

 

[bios]

Only zeolite can be used to adsorbs metals by mechanical filtration
Other way algae

 

[Lazys Coral House]

Thanks Bios, I will check into that.
Anyone else have any additional suggestion inputs?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I've heard the GFO may bind it.

 

[Alfrareef]

after the cleaning, why not use plugs made from a different material? it looks the plugs might be hurting your business and they are a very small part of the cost per frag.

 

[Reefcowboy]

Poly filter (coarse foam media) media supposedly removes metals, that could also be an option? How much al do you have?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Poly filter (coarse foam media) media supposedly removes metals, that could also be an option? How much al do you have?

I don't think it is successful with aluminum from seawater.

 

[jason2459]

I certainly haven't had any success in picking up Al from seawater with a polyfilter. At least not the form it was in.


If its desired to lower Al I'd suggest removing the source and water changes with lower Al content then the water it's replacing.

 

[jason2459]

Also, just remembered the Triton folks, at least the owner, believes GFO removes some Al or at least he stated this at one time in the past. I don't know if it's true or if their stance has changed or not.

 

[slicko]

I have read Eshan (triton) state that using GFO will remove the Al and using Al phos media will remove the Iron accumilation from GFO so should be alternated between changes when running for phosphate removal

 

[jason2459]

I have read Eshan (triton) state that using GFO will remove the Al and using Al phos media will remove the Iron accumilation from GFO so should be alternated between changes when running for phosphate removal

Which is odd to me. From what I understand the Triton method promotes a thick multi variety macro algae diverse section in the sump or refugium. Iron would be desirable. I would think they would promote GFO only and potentially iron dosing. I see no benficial need for Al. And I'm not sure GFO can even remove Al effectively or at all. I know Randy has commented on this before but can't remember the answer given right now.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Which is odd to me. From what I understand the Triton method promotes a thick multi variety macro algae diverse section in the sump or refugium. Iron would be desirable. I would think they would promote GFO only and potentially iron dosing. I see no benficial need for Al. And I'm not sure GFO can even remove Al effectively or at all. I know Randy has commented on this before but can't remember the answer given right now.

I don't recall exactly either, but it wasn't enough to convince me to recommend the two media approach where they recommend alternative GFO and aluminum oxide..

 

[Mortie31]

Which is odd to me. From what I understand the Triton method promotes a thick multi variety macro algae diverse section in the sump or refugium. Iron would be desirable. I would think they would promote GFO only and potentially iron dosing. I see no benficial need for Al. And I'm not sure GFO can even remove Al effectively or at all. I know Randy has commented on this before but can't remember the answer given right now.

It's probably because they want you to buy iron supplements from them...using only GFO would negate the need.. Not a cynic at all..

 

[kfordy]

Hi all, I have a decent size aquaculture business with lots of frags. I use ceramic plugs, and as a result the system has quite a bit of Aluminum in it. Large water changes are not able to keep up with it and when it gets to high I have had STN events with acros and my leathers close up. After a large 75% water change it takes a good week or two for them to open up back up. I am not 100% sure this is from Aluminum but I would like to eliminate this as a potential cause. Does anyone know if there is some type of media available that absorbs aluminum?

I have cultured thalassiosira weissflogii to use in a mixed blend with phytoplankton to remove heavy metals ( with aluminium) from my reef tank.