OH NO! The Chemical Filtration Debate

[jcardona1]

AS STATED in my first post, we KNOW you can successfully keep fish with mechanical and bio filtration available, that is not the point of this post.

The point is to look at the possible benefits of NEW technology.

that's fine, and that's why im paying attention to this thread. but nothing says i cant give my two cents. im always skeptical of certain products and will question it before dumping my money. especially if i can achieve the same results through other means for less cost. here, lets look at these common brands of chemical media and what they claim to do:

- Seachem Purigen: "Controls ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, by removing nitrogenous organic waste materials."

- Marineland Black Diamond Activated Carbon: "Eliminates foul odors, unsightly discoloration, and harmful organic substances."

- Marineland White Diamond Ammonia Neutralizer: "Removes ammonia to keep fish safe and water sparkling clear."

- Chemi-Pure: "Works equally well in marine or freshwater aquariums to remove heavy metals, copper, phenol, ammonia, and other nitrogenous waste."

- API Ammo Carb: "double chemical filtration for freshwater. An excellent combination of highly activated carbon and zeolite ammonia remover for removing dissolved organics and ammonia."

- Seachem SeaGel: "SeaGel quickly removes organics, phosphate, silicates, toxic metals, and acids from saltwater aquariums."

- API Bio Chem Zorb: ". Removes aquarium pollutants including colors, odors, heavy metals and toxic gases."

- PhosPure: "Safely and effectively removes large amounts of phosphate, arsenic, silicate, heavy metals, and ammonia."

- API Nitra Zorb: "Selectively removes toxic ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate."

- Seachem De-Nitrate: "Removes and controls nitrates, nitrites and ammonia."
​

And the list goes on. i dont see ANYTHING here that accomplishes what a properly working filtration and regular water changes cannot. if the problem is doing water changes and one is too lazy to perform a regular water change, then setup up a drip system or auto water changer. or better yet, an algae scrubber. i dont believe in not doing water changes. and that is what it seems like all this chemical filtration is promoting. my opinion is that there is NO substitute for clean, fresh water regularly.

again, i say why?

 

[aclockworkorange]

that's fine, and that's why im paying attention to this thread. but nothing says i cant give my two cents. im always skeptical of certain products and will question it before dumping my money. especially if i can achieve the same results through other means for less cost. here, lets look at these common brands of chemical media and what they claim to do:

- Seachem Purigen: "Controls ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, by removing nitrogenous organic waste materials."

- Marineland Black Diamond Activated Carbon: "Eliminates foul odors, unsightly discoloration, and harmful organic substances."

- Marineland White Diamond Ammonia Neutralizer: "Removes ammonia to keep fish safe and water sparkling clear."

- Chemi-Pure: "Works equally well in marine or freshwater aquariums to remove heavy metals, copper, phenol, ammonia, and other nitrogenous waste."

- API Ammo Carb: "double chemical filtration for freshwater. An excellent combination of highly activated carbon and zeolite ammonia remover for removing dissolved organics and ammonia."

- Seachem SeaGel: "SeaGel quickly removes organics, phosphate, silicates, toxic metals, and acids from saltwater aquariums."

- API Bio Chem Zorb: ". Removes aquarium pollutants including colors, odors, heavy metals and toxic gases."

- PhosPure: "Safely and effectively removes large amounts of phosphate, arsenic, silicate, heavy metals, and ammonia."

- API Nitra Zorb: "Selectively removes toxic ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate."

- Seachem De-Nitrate: "Removes and controls nitrates, nitrites and ammonia."
​

And the list goes on. i dont see ANYTHING here that accomplishes what a properly working filtration and regular water changes cannot. if the problem is doing water changes and one is too lazy to perform a regular water change, then setup up a drip system or auto water changer. or better yet, an algae scrubber. i dont believe in not doing water changes. and that is what it seems like all this chemical filtration is promoting. my opinion is that there is NO substitute for clean, fresh water regularly.

again, i say why?

Because you can't do 100% water changes every day? There are always going to be trace elements... also, you can't deny the fact that many people who use purigen in combination with good filtration have GREAT looking water.

Also curious about fish growth hormone?

 

[jcardona1]

Because you can't do 100% water changes every day? There are always going to be trace elements... also, you can't deny the fact that many people who use purigen in combination with good filtration have GREAT looking water.

and who said anything about 100% daily water changes? ive only heard that from extreme discus breeders. in my 400g stocked with monster cichla and other big fish i had a 24/7 drip system running. with all those huge fish and bioload, nitrate levels were always 10-15ppm.

great looking water from Purigen is laughable. i wish you could see the water in my tanks running a $3 25-micron filter sock.

 

[knifegill]

With those products, what's to prevent removal of critical minerals in the water?

 

[aclockworkorange]

"We are a unique community of Fish Keepers who seriously take our hobby to extremes and the NEXT level. The majority of our fish collections include RARE & EXOTIC Species of all sizes, BIG FISH with BIG APPETITES and BIG TANKS. It's not easy for most people or other "regular" fish keepers to understand why we maintain this type of collection and spare no expense on this fascinating hobby."

Just a reminder where we are.

How about a little more productive conversation on actual experience with products?

 

[aclockworkorange]

With those products, what's to prevent removal of critical minerals in the water?

Great point, one that I wonder about also, hopefully someone can answer?

For the record, I don't run any chemical filtration.

 

[jcardona1]

"We are a unique community of Fish Keepers who seriously take our hobby to extremes and the NEXT level. The majority of our fish collections include RARE & EXOTIC Species of all sizes, BIG FISH with BIG APPETITES and BIG TANKS. It's not easy for most people or other "regular" fish keepers to understand why we maintain this type of collection and spare no expense on this fascinating hobby."

Just a reminder where we are.

How about a little more productive conversation on actual experience with products?

thanks, i guess i must have forgot who i was...

just an FYI, if you dont want to debate, maybe you should title your thread with the word "Debate"

 

[jcardona1]

However, WOULD welcome some detailed explanations as to why you don't use it

and thats what i did, but i guess my answer wasnt what you wanted to hear

 

[aclockworkorange]

thanks, i guess i must have forgot who i was...

just an FYI, if you dont want to debate, maybe you should title your thread with the word "Debate"

Yeah dude, that's me. You got me bro! Good call!

Debate is welcome, but it is just taking up thread space when have no actual use of the products. Let's focus on what chemical filtration can add, in addition to proper filtration and water changes.

I have no opinion one way or the other, just curiosity.

 

[aclockworkorange]

and thats what i did, but i guess my answer wasnt what you wanted to hear

Your opinion is welcome, and I don't currently use chemical filtration for the same reason... Just don't think saying chemical filtration has NO use in healthy systems is necessarily correct. Let's explore the issue instead of argue.