What volume of chemical media would be needed for a 240 gallon tank? I am considering an Eheim wet/dry filter for the biological and two cheaper units such as the magnum 350 for strictly machanical and chemical filtration. Not sure if they hold enough media.
chemical filtration
- Thread starter Bode
- Start date
This depends, totally, on your bio-load. Also, the majority of us on MFK don't use carbon. That is what our grandfathers used because, back then, "that's just the way it was done". Nowadays, we don't position ourselves where we have to frequently / continuously buy any particular media because it exhausts itself over the course of a few weeks. Biological and mechanical filtration are the current rulers of the day.
If you, indeed, are set on using a chemical media, might I suggest Purigen? It is, IMHO, an evolution of the original intent of carbon. I must confess, I am a big fan and active user of Purigen. Unlike carbon, Purigen can be recharged and reused. Your mileage will vary, but at a minimum, you will get several iterations of usage before the Purigen will need to be replaced. With carbon, once it is "gone" (like two weeks later), it is "gone" for good!!! Unlike carbon, Purigen has properties that help with controlling nitrates. While this is not, by any means, a substitute for regular maintenance (of which water changes are the most important), it does provide a buffer for the "less than perfect" (i.e. us "regular" folks) hobbyist!!!
If you, indeed, are set on using a chemical media, might I suggest Purigen? It is, IMHO, an evolution of the original intent of carbon. I must confess, I am a big fan and active user of Purigen. Unlike carbon, Purigen can be recharged and reused. Your mileage will vary, but at a minimum, you will get several iterations of usage before the Purigen will need to be replaced. With carbon, once it is "gone" (like two weeks later), it is "gone" for good!!! Unlike carbon, Purigen has properties that help with controlling nitrates. While this is not, by any means, a substitute for regular maintenance (of which water changes are the most important), it does provide a buffer for the "less than perfect" (i.e. us "regular" folks) hobbyist!!!
The tank is 8'x2'x2'. I plan on having convicts (3 male/2 female) and blue acaras (3 male/2female) and about 15 tiger barbs and some columbian tetras. I definetly want to go with the Eheim wet/dry because it is supposed to be excellent and big enough for a tank of my size. Is purigen the only chemical media you would recommend?
Bode;4456144; said:
Yes. It is the "only" chemical media that I would/could recommend. If you are "just" starting out your tank, I would even recommend that you not go that way immediately. Start out with only biological and mechanical. Only resort to Purigen if the maintenance routine you employ leaves you with nitrate issues or problems with water clarity. If you encounter either and the only way you can address is through heroics, then Purigen can be a great help.