What exactly is Purigen and how does it work?

[USMC4Life]

I have been using it for the last 2 years and it works. Have no idea how it works. But it does. I use it along with Boyd Enterprises Chemi-Pure Blue.

 

[ReeferReefer]

IMO (as a polymer chemist), Purigen (an organic polymer) is more likely to work by binding organic matter before it breaks down to nitrate, than actually binding nitrate from seawater, where huge levels of chloride and sulfate will compete for binding sites.

Thanks, I knew my explanation was oversimplified. Nice have someone so knowledgable chime in!

 

[Acameron2]

I have been using it for the last 2 years and it works. Have no idea how it works. But it does. I use it along with Boyd Enterprises Chemi-Pure Blue.

Same here. I load these two up in my "Intank media rack" with a filter pad. Keeps my water on point [emoji108]

 

[shred5]

To me Purigen is like super carbon and is more comparable to poly-filters and it works well. I feel it is not needed if you are using a protein skimmer because it will shut it down and compete with it. I think it is best used on smaller tanks where a skimmer is not used.
It can be used for quick clean up but is not going to remove nitrates directly.
for larger tanks I like poly-filters.

 

[Motoxer310]

Same here. I load these two up in my "Intank media rack" with a filter pad. Keeps my water on point [emoji108]

You have a picture of your media rack? That sounds interesting

 

[Acameron2]

You have a picture of your media rack? That sounds interesting

Here is some pics of it from the website, since mine is looking pretty *****.

I'm thankful of this post. It reminded me to check mine and wow! I'm long over due.

 

[stravo71]

I swear by purigen. I personally think it is better than carbon at removing organics and metals from the water column. I use it on my 150. I have some pouches I bought 4 years ago and are not yet exhausted. It's not a nitrate remover. The only true thing to get nitrates down is water changes. But purigen is a helpful tool at maintaining clear water. The reason I switched to purigen over carbon is I have 4 tangs in my dt. Carbon to some tangs is like an alergy. They tend to get head and lateral line disease. You can Google it to see what I'm talking about.

 

[luisgo]

I use that same rack in my 12 Aquapod. Activated carbon, phosban and Purigen which I think is a great product. I also use Matrix in one of the chambers.

 

[Susan Bates]

Most of the standard nitrate methods are more effective:

Organic carbon dosing (vodka, vinegar, biopellets)
Sulfur denitrator
Carbon denitrator
Growing macroalgae
Algal turf scrubber
denitrifying media
deep sand beds
skimming
etc.

I cover them here:

Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium - REEFEDITION
https://www.reef2reef.com/blog/nitrate-in-the-reef-aquarium

I have done all these things but i don't have a deep sand bed, can i safely add more sand to my tank now?

 

[stravo71]

I have done all these things but i don't have a deep sand bed, can i safely add more sand to my tank now?

If your having nitrate problems fill is in on your set up. How old. Livestock how much live rock. Etc... you could add sand but the best method for no nitrates is no sand at all. Sand will harbor bacteria, food and poo. With no sand or little sand to cover the bottom barely your flow will blow it around and can be skimmed or filtered off. I run bare bottom and have no problem with nitrates.

 

[ReeferReefer]

You dose carbon and still have Nitrate problems?

 

[Susan Bates]

If your having nitrate problems fill is in on your set up. How old. Livestock how much live rock. Etc... you could add sand but the best method for no nitrates is no sand at all. Sand will harbor bacteria, food and poo. With no sand or little sand to cover the bottom barely your flow will blow it around and can be skimmed or filtered off. I run bare bottom and have no problem with nitrates.

My tank is 18 months old, I have tons of rock, I have 2 tangs, 2 x clown, 2 flame hawk, 4 chomis,2 dragonet, yellow wrasse,lawn mower blenny, in 400lts

 

[ReeferReefer]

My tank is 18 months old, I have tons of rock, I have 2 tangs, 2 x clown, 2 flame hawk, 4 chomis,2 dragonet, yellow wrasse,lawn mower blenny, in 400lts

Seems like a decent bioload. Have yiu tried carbon dosing/biopellets?

 

[Susan Bates]

Seems like a decent bioload. Have yiu tried carbon dosing/biopellets?

No I haven't , I don't know much about that, do think it would work for me?

 

[ReeferReefer]

No I haven't , I don't know much about that, do think it would work for me?

I'm no expert but I have been looking into myself recently. I just a video posted in General discussion by melevsreef on them. Essentially you feed the denitrfying bacteria using a carbon source and then skimming it out. You can dose vodka/vinegar on a daily basis and supplement bacteria weekly or so. The same principle can be achieved by using a biopellets reactor that outputs to the skimmer. You supercharge the bacterial filtration and skim out the extra. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can chime in but this greatly reduces nitrates.

 

[stravo71]

I run bio pellets. They work ok. But you can shock your system when you first start them. Follow directions. If you vodka dose you can put to much in and do bad things. Carbon dosing can also lead to cyano due to the overload of bacteria. That's why you run your bio pellet into your skimmer so hopefully most of it gets skimmed off. Bio pellets are a safer method. And they do work but they take a bit to get going

 

[Susan Bates]

I run bio pellets. They work ok. But you can shock your system when you first start them. Follow directions. If you vodka dose you can put to much in and do bad things. Carbon dosing can also lead to cyano due to the overload of bacteria. That's why you run your bio pellet into your skimmer so hopefully most of it gets skimmed off. Bio pellets are a safer method. And they do work but they take a bit to get going

Thanks for that, how do i connect this to my tank?I am still learning things here

 

[stravo71]

You have to buy a bio pellet reactor. And some bio pellets. I run a reef octopus br2000s reactor and two little fishies npx bio plastics pellets. Mine goes in my sump. But you can get one that is a hang on or external. Then just aim the return at base of skimmer.

 

[becks]

Could purgien be used to remove the compounds when vodka/vinegar dosing etc like how a skimmer is required?

 

[stravo71]

Puri gen removes dissolved organics from the water. Puri gen will compete with your skimmer. When it is on board you will see a reduction in skim from your skimmer. It will also remove some metals