Activated Carbon & Purigen
These two fall under the category of water polishers, capturing small particles that are invisible to the eye.​ Both help in enhancing water clarity and adsorbing organic molecules.
Activated carbon is used to absorb odor and tannins and adsorb larger molecules well – these usually mean organic compounds with large molecular chains (such as medicine). Contrary to popular belief, it does not remove most fertilizers in a planted tank, as the molecules are too small to be captured. The fertilizer it can remove is chelated iron, a large molecule consisting of iron (Fe) attached to a chelating agent such as an organic acid in Ferrous Gluconate. However, if dosing is done regularly, the impact of activated carbon is insignificant – so you can use it if you want. The list of what activated carbon removes effectively is located at the bottom of the page.
Is activated carbon necessary in most planted tanks ? No, but it can be useful in setups to capture small organic waste particles or tannins and to reduce odors. Odors should not be an issue in a properly maintained aquascape.
Purigen is a good alternative or addition to aquaLife activated carbon. It can be reused, but most customers find it works better when new, as do we. It polishes water to very high clarity by capturing small particles too fine to be captured by the filter.
ADA gallery in Niigata, Japan, frequently uses activated carbon to remove organic waste and tannins, especially in newer start-ups. These techniques have produced some of the industry’s most successful, stable, long term tanks – clearly destroying the myth that carbon is detrimental to running a planted tank.
Read More: Iron in the Planted Aquarium
List of Elements that Carbon Captures Effectively
Here’s a list that gives a good idea of what is removed by carbon.
High to moderate adsorption on: Arsenic, Bleach, Chlorine, Colors, Dyes, Hydrogen Peroxide, Insecticides, Monochloramine, Odors (usually larger organic molecules), Detergents, Dissolved Organic Compounds (DOC), Hydrogen Sulfide, Mercury, Soap, Solvent
Fair adsorption on: Complex trace elements (due to organic chelation), Iron(as FE 3+), Lead, Vanadium.
Low to no adsorption on: Alkalinity, Ammonia, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrates, Phosphates, Potassium.
The best carbon available are here.
Phosphate Removers, Phosguard, De-nitrate, Zeolite and Other Ion-Exchange Resins
These are not necessary for a planted tank. Plants require a certain amount of phosphates and nitrogen to grow well, and these resins risk stripping the water entirely of essential nutrients. If tap water is within limits suitable for human consumption, generally, there will not be such a significant imbalance of elements as to cause serious issues. If excess phosphate is an issue and algae is out of control, phosphate removers can help temporarily. We have found Poly Filters work well for these situations.
Poly Filters by Poly Bio Marine
The Poly Filter is for filtering and purifying both fresh and saltwater aquariums. It is a formulation of a unique patented material bonded to a synthetic matrix. Using a unique proprietary process, the Poly Filter is made impervious to salt and is also organic loving to certain materials. It can absorb and adsorb contaminants and other toxic materials found in nature or added to fresh and saltwater with or without fish and invertebrates. Medication added to fresh and saltwater aquariums for treating diseased fish will automatically be removed by the Poly Filter after serving its intended purpose before the medication can produce a toxic effect on the fish.
The Poly Filter is non-toxic and harmless to biological filtration because it allows a sufficient amount of ammonia to reach the biological filter to sustain the bacteria culture. The Poly Filter provides a supplemental means for removing ammonia when the biological filter cannot break down the excess ammonia and its concentration increases rapidly. Then the Poly Filter adsorbs the excess ammonia while the biological filter readjusts to higher input levels.
You can tell the Poly Filter is working by observing its color gradually change from an off-white to a brown color after prolonged exposure to contaminants in your aquarium. Cut Poly Filter in half when dark brown. If the cut cross-section is also dark brown, replace it with a new one. Another method is to check ammonia levels in your aquarium before installing the Poly Filter and periodically after that. A third method is to add medication and subsequently check its concentration in the aquarium water after approximately 48 hours.
While we use Poly Filters in Saltwater and Fish aquariums all the time, we only use them as needed in planted aquariums. There are some situations where this product is beneficial.
Source: https://www.2hraquarist.com
Have questions about our AquaLife products? Please contact the experts at SevenPorts today!