MarinePure Keep Or Remove?

[Neo Jeo]

Happy New Year everyone!

My tank has been up for almost a year. My Nitrates have been hovering around 15-20ppm. I have a MarinePure block in my sump but I think it might just be ineffective.

On top of that many articles of it leaching a small amount of aluminum into the tank. Any release makes me worried even if people think it's low amount I believe it might just not be worth it.

Do I need the MarinePure block or should I toss it?
My Nitrates are around 15-20ppm will it make it rocket even higher?

What would be the best approach to remove it if I decide too?

Thanks Reefers!

 

[NaH20nerd]

I’ve only read great things about Marine Pure. Was planning on adding some myself. I cannot comment on its leaching potential but I’d imagine it’s not any different than stored nutrients being leached by live rock and/or sand. What method(s) are you using for nutrient export?

 

[Neo Jeo]

I’ve only read great things about Marine Pure. Was planning on adding some myself. I cannot comment on its leaching potential but I’d imagine it’s not any different than stored nutrients being leached by live rock and/or sand. What method(s) are you using for nutrient export?

Right now Im using a Skimmer, Refug with Cheto, MarinePure Block and water changes.

 

[NaH20nerd]

Can you send a current pic of your tank?

 

[VR28man]

Marine pure will (supposedly, according to the mfgr) not denitrify if there is too much flow. If you’re worried about Al leeching, it’d be best to do an icp test first.

IME, seachem matrix is a more reliable nitrifier and denitrifier. And you get excellent performance from a much smaller amount. (I switched between them. I did have an Al problem).

 

[Neo Jeo]

Can you send a current pic of your tank?

Sure! Here you go

 

[NaH20nerd]

Your tank appears to be in good order. No algae problems? If your NO3/PO4 levels aren’t promoting algae growth or inhibiting Coral Health I wouldn’t be too concerned about it. I’m assuming your blowing out your rocks and cleaning the sand bed when you’re doing regular water changes? I’d recommend the Kessil algae grow light. They’re pricey but are reported to greatly enhance Cheetos ability to remove Nitrates/Phosphates. I am advising based on reviews and articles I’ve read. Not from personal experience but I do plan to use one for mine. Very nice tank!!

 

[Neo Jeo]

Your tank appears to be in good order. No algae problems? If your NO3/PO4 levels aren’t promoting algae growth or inhibiting Coral Health I wouldn’t be too concerned about it. I’m assuming your blowing out your rocks and cleaning the sand bed when you’re doing regular water changes? I’d recommend the Kessil algae grow light. They’re pricey but are reported to greatly enhance Cheetos ability to remove Nitrates/Phosphates. I am advising based on reviews and articles I’ve read. Not from personal experience but I do plan to use one for mine. Very nice tank!!

Thank you! I haven't blown off my rocks in a bit, but I will. My new Nero Power Head you can easily detach it and blow your rocks. Cool feature. I do have some algae hair grown in some spots. Ill take a look into that light.

Thanks

 

[Sparkymarc]

I’ve heard only good things about marine pure. Gives bacteria a lot of surface area to grow

 

[Simply__J]

Marine pure will (supposedly, according to the mfgr) not denitrify if there is too much flow. If you’re worried about Al leeching, it’d be best to do an icp test first.

IME, seachem matrix is a more reliable nitrifier and denitrifier. And you get excellent performance from a much smaller amount. (I switched between them. I did have an Al problem).

@VR28man I may be late to the party but I'm curious to know how did you go about switching from Marine Pure to the Seachem Matrix without causing issues or crashing your biological filtration colony? Thanks ahead of time.

 

[Tdawg]

When I had high nitrates and algae, I removed all the sand, rock with algae and no coral, and went bare bottom (BB) nitrate problem went away. I put 2 quarts Marine Pure to replace live rock removed from the tank. Over a 3 years, I could not detect any improvement, so I replaced the marine pure with small fuge and chaeto 2 months ago. Now some of my LPS are extending polyps more, which I attribute to removal of Marine Pure.

 

[VR28man]

@VR28man I may be late to the party but I'm curious to know how did you go about switching from Marine Pure to the Seachem Matrix without causing issues or crashing your biological filtration colony? Thanks ahead of time.

I seeded the matrix with beneficial bacteria, and fed it ammonia for a few days. Then I put it in, bagged, and took the MP out. (and did not other wise change anything I was doing. Especially in the first week. :D )

My nitrates soon went down to zero, in combination with carbon dosing. (and, to be honest, I found for poor acro growth in those months when nitrates were consistently indetectable. I still had algae issues. In sum, I think matrix is better than MP for nitrification an denitrification, but it's not a catch-all).