Best chemical filter media

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roland6543

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Jun 27, 2012
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What is considered to be the best type of chemical filter media?

Currently I have plenty of filtration capacity, using sponge, filter wool, carbon and Bio Max media. I also have a few plants (cabomba). I may remove the charcoal and only use in future if needed.

I'm looking for filter media that will take out spikes of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and possibly other nasties.

What's critical is that the media does not starve the biological media of the necessary nutrients. I am definitely not trying to replace the biological filter, just compliment it.

Of secondary importance is that the media can be regenerated. If possible that would be nice.

I know there are a lot of media available making claims, but I'm hoping someone has had a positive experience that they can share.

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Why are you experiencing spikes of ammonia & nitrite? A properly cycled/stocked/filtered tank shouldn't experience such spikes. Perhaps we can help you with that issue?

Nitrate can be removed through water changes, which are still necessary to remove dissolved solids, even if you have chemical media soaking the nitrates up.

I wish I could be of more help, but I've never used chemical filter media aside from the bio-chem zorb that came with my Rena Filstar XPs. I can't say whether it offered any additional benefit for my tanks though, because they were all perfectly healthy prior to it's addition, and simply stayed that way while it was in use.
 
I'm not actually experiencing spikes. I'm just thinking ahead of what could occur that could cause spikes.

I totally agree that WC will still be required.

I'm not looking for a silver bullet, just for something that will assist in the stability of the water chemistry. If something like that even exists. :)

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There's no media that will do what you ask, but there's one that might be able to help your biological filter maintain maximum efficiency, depending on your water parameters and livestock. Crushed coral. The efficiency of nitrification is pH dependent, and is most efficient at the upper pH ranges of what most aquarists experience, around 7.8 or so. Much below 6.5 and the whole process stops. pH drops are often the initial cause of spikes Crushed coral can simplify maintaining a pH in the mid 7s. As long as your stock can tolerate the hardness, which most common types can.
 
Crushed coral - interesting. Is that used in one of the filter chambers, or scattered around the substrate. Does it become exhausted and need replacing?

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roland6543 said:
Crushed coral - interesting. Is that used in one of the filter chambers, or scattered around the substrate. Does it become exhausted and need replacing?

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Click to expand...

Eventually it disolves. If it is still there it is still working.

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roland6543 said:
Crushed coral - interesting. Is that used in one of the filter chambers, or scattered around the substrate. Does it become exhausted and need replacing?

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Click to expand...

I use it in my cichlid tank to buffer & raise the PH.

I fill a filter bag full of it, then stick it right in one of the media bays in my canister filter. Adding it loose could easily mean death to the filter, as it's small and light enough to go with the water flow, and slip right through the water holes in the baskets. It does dissolve over time, but lasts for quite a while, and it's less expensive than any regular chemical media.
 
activated carbon is the only chemical filtration i would personally ever use. its relatively cheap when bought in bulk, and removes any odd chemicals that may find their way into the tank from medications, etc. but from my experience lots of plants, even just low light stuff and carbon make my tanks very stable. that along with weekly waterchanges
 
I dont know if it actually works, but their is ammonia remover for aquaclear HOBs. I would personally go with crushed coral and/or activated carbon and some low light plants.
 
SubRosa said:
....depending on your water parameters and livestock. Crushed coral.
Click to expand...

I expect to have a lot of Cory's and Rainbow fish and a couple of Dwarf Rams, maybe a Gourami. I think they will be OK? What about ghost shrimp though? I really like my ghosts.

How high would coral push the dH?

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