Filter Media Question

[aries426]

I would like to ask which media is best to use for my 29g biocube reef tank. I have a Purigen pillow, Carbon, Chemi-pure Elite and a Phosphate pillow. What would be the best combination? Also when I tried to use the Chemi-pure Elite or the Carbon bags my water does get a little cloudy and my filter pad gets very black and the skimmer collection cup fills with blackish water. And YES I did rinse both bags very well multiple times. Any suggestions on this as well?

Here is my water chem:

pH- 8.2 Phos- 0
Alk- 9.8 Nitrate- 0
Cal- 470 Nitrite- 0
Mag- 1490 Temp- 80.2
Sal- 1.024



Thanks Chad

 

[Reeferer]

I would use the cheapest media and change more often.

 

[kingfish62]

Mostly I just use carbon, that in combination with chaeto and nano-glo light keeps my parameters in check!

 

[aries426]

I do have a small refugium with chaeto in it as well. Some people have said that Chemi-Pure Elite is better and others say straight carbon is. If I use the Chemi-Pure Elite do I still use the Phosphate pad since the Elite has it in it?

 

[stingythingy45]

I wouldn't use anything.
Just do water changes every 2 weeks.

 

[jamesdong009]

I run carbon and GFO together on my tanks. I just mix both together so the GFO doesn't clump up and run them in a reactor. I guess you could combine both in a filter bag and do it that way

IIRC, this is how Randy Holmes-Farley utilizes carbon and GFO on his tank.

 

[jason401]

i use media basket from in'tank (awesome) with filter floss on top, purigen in middle and chemi-pure elite on bottom. a litlle rubble rock on the side basket. i have zero algae issues and no cyano problems since this addition! water is crystal clear, i just change out filter floss weekly/bi-weekly with water change