Does Chemi-pure elite work?

Redbird5 · 2026-09-08T10:07:21-0400

I've been battling phosphates since March. They're either really high or when I add GFO they drop like a rock to 0.0. High is 0.65 on my Hanna test. My coral is thriving, one of my Duncan's has two heads and I noticed third head this morning. There's one hammer that seem to be closed up, but the rest are doing fine, my torch looking like it's getting another head.

I know that phosphates can help coral grow, but too high and it cause them to be brittle. I know I've asked a lot of questions especially about my phosphates. I've tried GFO, which I learned that without a skimmer they don't work properly. My LFS told me that when it's in the media bag without being moved around it clumps up and doesn't work. When I add them to the aquarium I had them to a media bag and place the bag in the filter sock and that's when things drops to nothing.

My LFS suggested Chemi-pure, which is coming this week. I know the next step is a skimmer and I really don't want to have to drop several hundred dollars on one. What's everyone's experience with Chemi-pure? Am I doomed to get a skimmer?

Jay Hemdal · 2026-09-08T10:12:27-0400

Redbird5 said:
I've been battling phosphates since March. They're either really high or when I add GFO they drop like a rock to 0.0. High is 0.65 on my Hanna test. My coral is thriving, one of my Duncan's has two heads and I noticed third head this morning. There's one hammer that seem to be closed up, but the rest are doing fine, my torch looking like it's getting another head.

I know that phosphates can help coral grow, but too high and it cause them to be brittle. I know I've asked a lot of questions especially about my phosphates. I've tried GFO, which I learned that without a skimmer they don't work properly. My LFS told me that when it's in the media bag without being moved around it clumps up and doesn't work. When I add them to the aquarium I had them to a media bag and place the bag in the filter sock and that's when things drops to nothing.

My LFS suggested Chemi-pure, which is coming this week. I know the next step is a skimmer and I really don't want to have to drop several hundred dollars on one. What's everyone's experience with Chemi-pure? Am I doomed to get a skimmer?

Chemipure Elite contains GFO. I use it on a small AIO tank, but also have a skimmer.

Mr. Mojo Rising · 2026-09-08T10:17:14-0400

May I ask how old your tank is? It once took me over 2 years to stabilize the phosphate.

If the corals are happy and thriving, I would just add a smaller amount of gfo and slowly suck it out over the next year.

for me personally, I never thought of a skimmer as a phosphate reducer, to me it affects nitrate more but I could be wrong.

Redbird5 · 2026-09-08T12:28:24-0400

Jay Hemdal said:
Chemipure Elite contains GFO. I use it on a small AIO tank, but also have a skimmer.

I'm hoping I don't have to spend $$$ on a skimmer. I'd rather spend it on another torch.

get-salty · 2026-09-08T12:48:48-0400

What size tank do you have and how old is it.
Im guessing its fairly new and its an AIO setup?

It is common to have high po4 in a newly setup as things will settle out within time.

As for now, increase the vol of your water changes to export the po4 and maybe feed a little less.

Are you feeding the tank any? Reef-Roid or RS AB+ anything like that?
That can contribute in increasing po4.

I'd be very careful with GFO.. You dont want to have it drop from .6 to a zero in a short amount of time.

Good luck and happy reefing.

Redbird5 · 2026-09-08T13:55:40-0400

get-salty said:
What size tank do you have and how old is it.
Im guessing its fairly new and its an AIO setup?

It is common to have high po4 in a newly setup as things will settle out within time.

As for now, increase the vol of your water changes to export the po4 and maybe feed a little less.

Are you feeding the tank any? Reef-Roid or RS AB+ anything like that?
That can contribute in increasing po4.

I'd be very careful with GFO.. You dont want to have it drop from .6 to a zero in a short amount of time.

Good luck and happy reefing.

I have a 45g JBJ AIO that has been set up since May of 2025. I do dose with Reef-roids once a week, only 1/4 tsp. I also broadcast feed two cap fulls of plankton once a week and feed 1/2 cube of frozen twice a day of mysis or brine. Occassionally and I mean like once every two months predator food. I started a refugium last week in the back chamber of the tank.