Filstar Bio Chem Zorb

barbarossa4122

Guru Class Expert
Dec 29, 2009
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Hello,

Like everyone else I like crystal clear water and since I installed the new Rena canisters my water is crystal, crystal clear. I think the Bio Chem Zorb is mostly responsible for this and I would like to use it all the time but, since I read and read and read on other forums how bad Bio Chem Zorb is for planted tanks I am a little confused:confused:. Really, I was unable to find a good comment about Bio Chem Zorb. It looks like all the credit goes to Purigen. Should I or should I not use the Bio Chem Zorb in the future? Btw, for some reason I do not like Purigen and all the regeneration c**p. :eek:

One unrelated Q: is the API phosphate test kit any good?
 
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Biollante

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Lifetime Member
Jun 21, 2009
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No Expert I, Not That Ever Stops Me From Answering!

Hi,

Not an expert on anything and I have never used Bio Chem Zorb, I have used some of the competitors. Also, I am personally not a fan of running carbon or anything else all the time. :)

Having said all of that let me say that if you are happy and your plants are growing I do not see the problem. :cool:

Filter materials like carbon, Purigen, bio-chem and so forth principally remove organics and metals.I have run Bio-chem and Purigen as well as carbon and zeolite for considerable periods (months) and never have I seen a problem with the plants. :gw

As long as you are dosing with salts I seriously doubt there is a problem. I have done no studies on the matter, I simply think people like to keep repeating the same things someone else said way back when so that no one argues or disagrees with them. :rolleyes:

Biollante
 

barbarossa4122

Guru Class Expert
Dec 29, 2009
975
0
16
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Biollante;56185 said:
Hi,

Not an expert on anything and I have never used Bio Chem Zorb, I have used some of the competitors. Also, I am personally not a fan of running carbon or anything else all the time. :)

Having said all of that let me say that if you are happy and your plants are growing I do not see the problem. :cool:

Filter materials like carbon, Purigen, bio-chem and so forth principally remove organics and metals.I have run Bio-chem and Purigen as well as carbon and zeolite for considerable periods (months) and never have I seen a problem with the plants. :gw

As long as you are dosing with salts I seriously doubt there is a problem. I have done no studies on the matter, I simply think people like to keep repeating the same things someone else said way back when so that no one argues or disagrees with them. :rolleyes:

Biollante

Hi Bio,

Thanks a lot again for your help. I just read that the only difference between Bio Chem Zorb and Purigen is that the Purigen can be recharged a few times. Since I am not looking to recharge the Purigen in order to save a few bucks, I'll stick with Bio Chem Zorb. I always used activated carbon and Purigen on my HOBs before I bought the canisters. And yes, the plants are OK but, I dose EI on the heavy side. Lots of Iron also:)
 
H

Htomassini

Guest
What about nitrate? Purigen claims it removes organics and nitratre, will it suck up the nitrate in KNO3?
 

barbarossa4122

Guru Class Expert
Dec 29, 2009
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16
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Htomassini;56192 said:
What about nitrate? Purigen claims it removes organics and nitratre, will it suck up the nitrate in KNO3?

I used Purigen before and my nitrate levels remained the same. Maybe some folks here know better.
 

Biollante

Lifetime Charter Member
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Jun 21, 2009
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Still Not An Expert, Still Not Inhibited From Offering My Unworthy Comments

Hi,

It would be nice to have one of the smarter-than-the-rest-of-us types to explain this to us. :)


There appears to be a difference between organically derived Nitrates and salts. The organics are removed. As far as I can tell the salts are left alone, at least until, they are converted to organic material. :rolleyes:


{Disclaimer: I know this will never satisfy any of the Guru types, it is meant only to satisfy my curiosity, so unless you have constructive suggestions, please keep your churlish and/or obscene comments to yourself.}

  • I have some Chemi-pure, Purigen, Zeolite and a couple of grades of activated carbon, so when I get a little time I will see if I can run organic Nitrates against a similar concentration of Nitrates from KNO3, Ca(NO3)2 and whatever else I have lying around.
  • I have not looked a lot yet, if this has been credible done, please let me know.
  • Right now, I envision this as some kind of column with equal quantities/strength of organically derived Nitrates against Nitrates from salts.

Forgot to answer your API test kit question, API is as good as and maybe even a little better than the hobbyist kits as long as you calibrate! :)


Biollante
 

barbarossa4122

Guru Class Expert
Dec 29, 2009
975
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16
NYC
Lol, guess what? I ended up buying 4 100ml Purigen bags. ( and........2 Aqua Clear 70 HOBs, 2 Rena air pumps and some other stuff). My wife is going to kill me but, I got tired of my old noisy "too big" Emperors and my noisy broken Whisper pumps. The new HOB filters will complement my new Rena canisters. Btw, Petmountain has 10% off and only $6.99 shipping until Oct. the 4th.
Oh, I will calibrate Bio.:)
 
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Htomassini

Guest
Can you please point to me where to look to calibrate these api kits?

Thanks