Brightwell Aquatics Xport PO4 Cubes
Brightwell Xport PO4 Cubes are high-capacity phosphate-specific cubes designed to rapidly lower and maintain phosphate levels, offering a technical advantage for algal control that generic chelating resins cannot match. Financially they provide a focused, efficient option for aquarists whose primary issue is phosphate; used in combination with chelating or mixed-bed cartridges like Chemi-Pure Elite, Xport PO4 cubes allow you to optimize media spend by targeting the most troublesome parameter directly.
Phosphate magnet
Cube format
Phosphate magnet
Cube format
Review Summary
"Brightwell Aquatics Xport PO4 Cubes are praised for reliably removing phosphate and helping prevent algae, with many users reporting good longevity and predictable performance; the main drawbacks cited are cost and the need for periodic replacement. It's commonly recommended for reef and planted tanks needing phosphate control."
Spot-treat champion
High-capacity phosphate-selective resin cubes that target PO4 to help prevent algae outbreaks.
Spot-treat champion
High-capacity phosphate-selective resin cubes that target PO4 to help prevent algae outbreaks.
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
Brightwell Xport PO4 Cubes are high-capacity phosphate-specific cubes designed to rapidly lower and maintain phosphate levels, offering a technical advantage for algal control that generic chelating resins cannot match. Financially they provide a focused, efficient option for aquarists whose primary issue is phosphate; used in combination with chelating or mixed-bed cartridges like Chemi-Pure Elite, Xport PO4 cubes allow you to optimize media spend by targeting the most troublesome parameter directly.
Phosphate magnet
Cube format
Spot-treat champion
High-capacity phosphate-selective resin cubes that target PO4 to help prevent algae outbreaks.
Modular cube format fits media baskets and reactors for predictable flow and contact time.
Phosphate magnet
Cube format
Spot-treat champion
High-capacity phosphate-selective resin cubes that target PO4 to help prevent algae outbreaks.
Modular cube format fits media baskets and reactors for predictable flow and contact time.
$30-50 CAD
Fluval BioMax is an economical ceramic bio-ring designed to deliver high surface area for nitrifying bacteria in standard filter housings. Versus polymer foam media, BioMax provides excellent specific surface area and particle stability, making it a cost-effective option for hobbyists who want proven ceramic performance rather than the finer mechanical trapping or compressibility of foams. Its strength is broad compatibility and low per-pack cost, though it can be heavier and less convenient to shape than foam pads or cuttable polymer media.
Ceramic bead army
Fast biofilm growth
Ceramic bead army
Fast biofilm growth
Review Summary
"Fluval BioMax is widely regarded as reliable, providing excellent biological filtration and easy rinsing/reuse; some reviewers note it can abrade into small particles faster than premium ceramic options."
Durable low-maintenance
Porous polymer granules deliver extensive surface area for nitrifying bacteria
Durable low-maintenance
Porous polymer granules deliver extensive surface area for nitrifying bacteria
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Fluval BioMax is an economical ceramic bio-ring designed to deliver high surface area for nitrifying bacteria in standard filter housings. Versus polymer foam media, BioMax provides excellent specific surface area and particle stability, making it a cost-effective option for hobbyists who want proven ceramic performance rather than the finer mechanical trapping or compressibility of foams. Its strength is broad compatibility and low per-pack cost, though it can be heavier and less convenient to shape than foam pads or cuttable polymer media.
Ceramic bead army
Fast biofilm growth
Durable low-maintenance
Porous polymer granules deliver extensive surface area for nitrifying bacteria
Designed to fit many canister and in-line filters for easy use
Ceramic bead army
Fast biofilm growth
Durable low-maintenance
Porous polymer granules deliver extensive surface area for nitrifying bacteria
Designed to fit many canister and in-line filters for easy use
$15-35 CAD
Fluval Ammonia Remover is a resin-based cartridge designed for seamless integration into Fluval filtration, offering convenient, predictable ammonia adsorption suited to routine maintenance. Technically it trades the regenerability and bulk price advantage of zeolite for plug-and-play convenience and consistent performance, making it attractive for Fluval users who prioritize ease-of-use over the lowest-per-gram cost.
Fast adsorption
Filter-ready pellets
Fast adsorption
Filter-ready pellets
Review Summary
"Fluval Ammonia Remover gets consistent marks for reducing ammonia and being easy to add to canister filters, though some users feel it’s less robust than specialized resins and requires periodic replacement. Most buyers find it a convenient, effective option for regular maintenance."
Sneaky sponge action
Granular media engineered to rapidly remove toxic ammonia from aquarium water.
Sneaky sponge action
Granular media engineered to rapidly remove toxic ammonia from aquarium water.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Fluval Ammonia Remover is a resin-based cartridge designed for seamless integration into Fluval filtration, offering convenient, predictable ammonia adsorption suited to routine maintenance. Technically it trades the regenerability and bulk price advantage of zeolite for plug-and-play convenience and consistent performance, making it attractive for Fluval users who prioritize ease-of-use over the lowest-per-gram cost.
Fast adsorption
Filter-ready pellets
Sneaky sponge action
Granular media engineered to rapidly remove toxic ammonia from aquarium water.
Packaged for easy use in filter cartridges or media bags for convenient installation.
Fast adsorption
Filter-ready pellets
Sneaky sponge action
Granular media engineered to rapidly remove toxic ammonia from aquarium water.
Packaged for easy use in filter cartridges or media bags for convenient installation.
$12-35 CAD
Seachem Purigen is a synthetic adsorbent best known for removing soluble organic waste and polishing water clarity rather than for direct metal chelation, but it plays an important complementary role in a metal-adsorbing granules strategy by stripping organic ligands that otherwise bind metals. Used alongside dedicated metal resins, Purigen can extend resin life and improve overall performance, delivering indirect financial value by reducing replacement frequency for metal-targeted media.
Organic sponge
Regenerable powerhouse
Organic sponge
Regenerable powerhouse
Review Summary
"Widely praised for dramatically improving water clarity and reducing organics with easy regeneration; many experienced aquarists consider Purigen indispensable for long-term maintenance."
Clarity genie
High-capacity synthetic adsorbent that removes dissolved organics and helps reduce organic-metal complexes that can mobilize heavy metals.
Clarity genie
High-capacity synthetic adsorbent that removes dissolved organics and helps reduce organic-metal complexes that can mobilize heavy metals.
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
Increased Safety & Security
Seachem Purigen is a synthetic adsorbent best known for removing soluble organic waste and polishing water clarity rather than for direct metal chelation, but it plays an important complementary role in a metal-adsorbing granules strategy by stripping organic ligands that otherwise bind metals. Used alongside dedicated metal resins, Purigen can extend resin life and improve overall performance, delivering indirect financial value by reducing replacement frequency for metal-targeted media.
Organic sponge
Regenerable powerhouse
Clarity genie
High-capacity synthetic adsorbent that removes dissolved organics and helps reduce organic-metal complexes that can mobilize heavy metals.
Regenerable with household bleach for repeat use, offering long-term cost efficiency versus single-use carbon.
Organic sponge
Regenerable powerhouse
Clarity genie
High-capacity synthetic adsorbent that removes dissolved organics and helps reduce organic-metal complexes that can mobilize heavy metals.
Regenerable with household bleach for repeat use, offering long-term cost efficiency versus single-use carbon.
$20-45 CAD
Hanna Instruments HI3874 Heavy Metals Test Kit
Hanna Instruments' HI3874 Heavy Metals Test Kit is the market leader for quantitative, instrument-driven measurement of heavy metals, delivering digital photometric accuracy and repeatability that outperforms visual colorimetric tests for trace-level detection. Although it carries a premium price, its technical advantage—numerical readouts, lower detection limits and reduced subjective error—makes it the preferred choice for labs and serious aquarists who need reliable, comparable results versus the color-chart and titration approaches of the other kits.
Digital accuracy
High sensitivity
Digital accuracy
High sensitivity
Review Summary
"Hanna's HI3874 heavy metals kit (photometer-based) is frequently praised for professional-level accuracy, digital readouts, and excellent repeatability, making it favored by labs and serious hobbyists; the main drawbacks cited are higher upfront cost and occasional reagent/calibration maintenance. Users who need precise heavy-metal quantification generally rate it very highly."
Science flex
Digital photometric analysis provides higher sensitivity and quantitative heavy metal results.
Science flex
Digital photometric analysis provides higher sensitivity and quantitative heavy metal results.
Increased Safety & Security
Skill Development & Mastery
Time-Saving Convenience
Hanna Instruments' HI3874 Heavy Metals Test Kit is the market leader for quantitative, instrument-driven measurement of heavy metals, delivering digital photometric accuracy and repeatability that outperforms visual colorimetric tests for trace-level detection. Although it carries a premium price, its technical advantage—numerical readouts, lower detection limits and reduced subjective error—makes it the preferred choice for labs and serious aquarists who need reliable, comparable results versus the color-chart and titration approaches of the other kits.
Digital accuracy
High sensitivity
Science flex
Digital photometric analysis provides higher sensitivity and quantitative heavy metal results.
Typically measures multiple heavy metals with included reagents and calibration standards.
Digital accuracy
High sensitivity
Science flex
Digital photometric analysis provides higher sensitivity and quantitative heavy metal results.
Typically measures multiple heavy metals with included reagents and calibration standards.
$600-1,000 CAD
Seachem CupriSorb is positioned as a best-in-class heavy-metal selective resin because of its high affinity for dissolved copper, lead and similar trace metals and its fast action in reducing toxic ions without altering water chemistry. Compared with broader-spectrum options on this list, CupriSorb offers a technically focused, cartridge-style solution that often yields quicker drop in metal levels and lower long‑term chemical dosing costs for aquarists needing targeted metal control.
Nabs copper fast
Selective scavenger
Nabs copper fast
Selective scavenger
Review Summary
"Users report CupriSorb quickly and reliably removes copper and other heavy metals, making it a go-to for treating metal contamination; some note it loses capacity when saturated and must be replaced or regenerated periodically."
Eats pennies
Selective chelating resin formulated specifically to remove dissolved copper and other heavy metals.
Eats pennies
Selective chelating resin formulated specifically to remove dissolved copper and other heavy metals.
Increased Safety & Security
Recreational Enjoyment
Seachem CupriSorb is positioned as a best-in-class heavy-metal selective resin because of its high affinity for dissolved copper, lead and similar trace metals and its fast action in reducing toxic ions without altering water chemistry. Compared with broader-spectrum options on this list, CupriSorb offers a technically focused, cartridge-style solution that often yields quicker drop in metal levels and lower long‑term chemical dosing costs for aquarists needing targeted metal control.
Nabs copper fast
Selective scavenger
Eats pennies
Selective chelating resin formulated specifically to remove dissolved copper and other heavy metals.
Effective in both freshwater and marine aquaria and works across a wide pH range.
Nabs copper fast
Selective scavenger
Eats pennies
Selective chelating resin formulated specifically to remove dissolved copper and other heavy metals.
Effective in both freshwater and marine aquaria and works across a wide pH range.
$12-35 CAD