Super Filter?

[chrisrm]

has anyone seen, used, using this productaquaripure

 

[dave_oddballs]

i was looking at them not too long ago, seems a good idea, but is removing ALL organic matter from a tank good?
removing nitrate is one thing but all organic matter, isn't that just un natural? do plants not need some form of organic matter? or would you just not use the filter on a tank with plants? i can see the idea with it but id have to know all the pro's and cons before even thinking about getting one.
Dave

 

[yvez9]

that thing sure is expensive...
i've used Kent's nitrate sponge as media to remove nitrates. bacteria would colonise the media and remove nitrates. Not sure how well it worked though
I've stopped though as I still need to do water changes weekly to remove all the waste on the bottom.

 

[fatheadminnow]

i was looking at them not too long ago, seems a good idea, but is removing ALL organic matter from a tank good?
removing nitrate is one thing but all organic matter, isn't that just un natural? do plants not need some form of organic matter? or would you just not use the filter on a tank with plants? i can see the idea with it but id have to know all the pro's and cons before even thinking about getting one.
Dave

Yes, plants will grow the best under ideal conditions, conditions in which organic material, such as nitrate, is present within a tank.

If you eliminate nitrates in a planted tank, one can most likely assume that the plants will not thrive, or even survive, at all.

Why is removing Nitrates so important?

All animals including fish produce ammonia and other organic waste products which are turned into nitrites and then nitrates by bacteria. The fact is that in any mature aquarium high nitrates are the primary reason to do frequent water changes. Nitrates are less toxic than ammonia or nitrites, but they are still toxic to humans, animals and fish and are a primary cause of water pollution. For example, the US Environmental Protection Agency's maximum allowable nitrates in tap water is only 10 parts per million. Nitrates are also the primary cause of unwanted algae growth in an aquarium. For a more advanced discussion on the topic of nitrates

I would have to argue with this part from the article.

Especially this part:

The fact is that in any mature aquarium high nitrates are the primary reason to do frequent water changes.

Even if your nitrates are low, you should still do weekly water changes. My nitrates in my tank are usually around 10 ppm at the end of each week due to the plants in my tank, but that does not mean I should not do water changes.

There are other trace minerals in water that fish use, and it is only a matter of time until those trace minerals are used up; therefore, needing to be replenished.

In the wild, these minerals and nutrients are in abundance, but in an aquarium they are not and should be replenished at least once a week by performing weekly water changes.

So, IMO, and I am sure others can agree with me. Just because your nitrate level is near 0 ppm at the end of each week, that should not stop you from doing weekly water
changes.

Maybe a higher level of nitrate is a good reason for the beginner fish keeper to do water changes, but for more experienced fish keepers, we see that there are more advantages in doing water changes than just reducing the nitrate level.

-FHM