Re: Purigen in a canister filter Purigen can be placed anywhere, as long as it is receiving adequate water flow through it (more contact with water will equal better filtration). We typically recommend the following order of water flow through filtration: first through mechanical (filter floss, filter pad, sponges or anything that will trap larger debris), then chemical (carbon, Purigen, etc.), and then lastly through your biological media (Matrix, bio-balls, bio-wheel, ceramic pieces, etc.). Hope this helps