Seachem SeaGel
Price range: £7.99 through £27.99
Seachem SeaGel.
- Description
- Additional information
- Brand
- Store Policies
- Enquiries
Description
Seachem SeaGel
Product Overview:
Seachem SeaGel is a highly efficient chemical filtration blend meticulously formulated for the comprehensive purification of aquarium water. By combining two of Seachem’s premier filtration media into a single, pre-blended configuration, SeaGel streamlines maintenance while concurrently targeting organic impurities, heavy metals, phosphates, and silicates.
Chemical Composition and Synergy
SeaGel is composed of a strict 50/50 volumetric mixture of MatrixCarbon and PhosGuard. This explicit formulation leverages the distinct strengths of both components to create a synergistic chemical scrubbing effect:
-
- MatrixCarbon Component: An ultra-capacity, bituminous coal-based activated carbon. It features a predominantly macroporous pore structure, rendering it remarkably adept at adsorbing dissolved organic compounds, nitrogenous waste, medication residues, and chemical discolouration (such as wood tannins).
- PhosGuard Component: A synthetic, highly porous oxide-based media designed for the rapid chemical binding of inorganic phosphates and silicates. This prevents nutrient spikes that cause unwanted outbreaks of green or brown nuisance algae.
- The Compensatory Dynamic: While MatrixCarbon possesses the lowest detectable leachable phosphate content among major commercial carbons, a nominal trace amount is inevitably released upon initial contact with water. The inclusion of PhosGuard immediately captures this trace release, ensuring zero net phosphate introduction to the system.
Hydrodynamic Structural Design
A primary limitation of traditional granulated mixed media is the tendency for unequal water distribution and compaction. SeaGel bypasses this issue entirely through its structural uniformity:
-
- Spherical Bead Form: Both the MatrixCarbon and PhosGuard elements are manufactured as spherical beads rather than irregular flakes or pellets.
- Anti-Channelling Properties: The uniform geometry allows water to flow smoothly and evenly around every single bead. This configuration prevents the media from compacting or “packing together”.
- Maximum Contact Time: By keeping the media shifting and porous, water must pass through the entirety of the bed rather than taking the path of least resistance (channelling), maximizing chemical extraction rates.
Application and Dosage Guidelines
SeaGel is universally applicable across marine, reef, and freshwater aquaria, though specific constraints apply to certain environments:
| Metric / Parameter | Value / Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Standard Dosage Rate | 250 ml of SeaGel for every 150–225 litres of aquarium water. |
| Media Placement | Must be housed in a fine-mesh filter bag (e.g., Seachem’s The Bag) and placed in a high-flow zone. |
| Expected Lifespan | Typically remains chemically active for 3 to 4 months. |
| Freshwater Compatibility | Completely safe, but not recommended for freshwater tanks utilising phosphate buffers. |
Critical Preparation and Handling Instructions
- Exothermic Reaction Warning: Upon initial wetting with freshwater, SeaGel exhibits a sudden exothermic reaction. It will fizz and release noticeable heat.
- Rinsing Protocol: Due to the reaction described above, it is vital to rinse the media in a fine bag under tap water before deploying it into the aquarium filter. This removes frictional carbon dust and safely dissipates the initial heat burst.
- Medication Extraction: SeaGel will rapidly strip therapeutic medications (such as copper treatments or antibiotics) from the water column. It must be temporarily extracted from the filtration loop prior to dosing the aquarium.
Brand
Seachem
General Enquiries
There are no enquiries yet.
