Purigen: Does It Work?

Does anyone have any experience with Purigen? Does it work? How well does it work? Do you recommend it?

 

Works unbelievably well. I have it in all of my filters. Plus you can recharge it.

Just make sure if you buy a bottle of it to get filter bags with small enough holes, or else it’ll go through it.

 

Works unbelievably well. I have it in all of my filters. Plus you can recharge it.

Just make sure if you buy a bottle of it to get filter bags with small enough holes, or else it’ll go through it.

Does it keep nitrates noticeably low? How often do you usually have to recharge it? I’m sure it varies tank to tank, but do you have a ballpark estimate?

 

Purigen has no affect on nitrates in my tank. It's really a toss up on whether the product is effective. My tank's overall health is much better when not using products like Prime or Purigen.

I just started using Biohome Ultimate media in my FX4. The manufacturer claims their product reduces nitrates. I have one tray filled with 2lbs of Biohome and will change out the 2nd tray with another 2lbs this week. I'll let you know if it works.

 

I've used Purigen for years, in all my tanks. It takes out tannin really quickly and keeps my water crystal clear. It's nice that you can recharge it too.

My tank's overall health is much better when not using products like Prime or Purigen.

Curious how you determined your tank is healthier without Prime or Purigen.

 

I don't think purigen is made to lock up nitrates exactly, it's more to bind organic chemicals in a similar fashion to activated charcoal, just waaaayyy better. The particles turn amber as they bind stuff, so it's easy to tell if it's doing something!

It does work, just make sure you're getting the right thing for the right application

 

I use it for tannins as well! Love the stuff, have it for all three tanks. Have to recharge it every week or two because of how much driftwood is in there.

 

Definitely not a tossup of how effective it is. It’s not meant to reduce nitrates really. If you want to reduce nitrates I’d use Seachem Matrix.

You’ll know exactly when to recharge because it’ll turn from bleach white to dark brown.

 

Another thing you can do to help control nitrates (besides water changes!) is grow a bunch of pothos out the top of your filter or through holes in your hood.

 

I've used Purigen for years, in all my tanks. It takes out tannin really quickly and keeps my water crystal clear. It's nice that you can recharge it too.



Curious how you determined your tank is healthier without Prime or Purigen.

You're right. I think for me Purigen is more of a placebo, although some suggest Purigen limits the amount of sustainable beneficial bacteria.

 

You're right. I think for me Purigen is more of a placebo, although some suggest Purigen limits the amount of sustainable beneficial bacteria.

I can see where that might be the case if you don't actually have enough free bio matter in the tank to help sustain the bacteria. I got some and used it because I was having issues with cloudy tank water during a session of overfeeding while I acclimated some new snails. I really didn't want the fish to nibble on the snails, and I was working out what exactly to feed them. I ended up with some pretty cloudy tank water for a short time. I got a bag of purigen and just stuck it in my tank, not even in the filter. I do think it helped, but I probably don't need it now.

 

Seachem says you shouldn't use it while cycling the tank as it will slow the process, but once your tank is established it is ok to use and recharge or replace with fresh Purigen.

That said, I can see where it may cause mini-cycles if maybe your filtration isn't quite enough for your tank or something like that. Certainly not impossible that it does hold some of the bacteria, though I've never experienced any sort of mini-cycle personally.

 

Wow thanks for all the responses. When I was looking into this product, I noticed on Seachem’s website that “Purigen controls ammonia, nitrites and nitrates by removing nitrogenous organic waste that would otherwise release these harmful compounds.” I just assumed from that sentence that using it would lower the nitrates or keep them in check week to week in between water changes.

The reason I’m looking into this is because my 36g bowfront regularly hits 40ppm of nitrates every week, even after doing large water changes. I thought it could be attributable to overfeeding, so I adjusted that. No change. Then I thought my canister had become a nitrate factory, so I gave it a more thorough cleaning (in treated water) rather than the typical swishing and rinsing in dirty tank water. Still 40ppm of nitrates.

It’s not terribly high and I do keep up with my water changes, but I just thought maybe Purigen would help. I guess it can’t hurt, right?

 

Yes. It also get rid of that scum which can form on the water surface. It does no harm at all. It captures stuff like proteins, urea and lipids which can degrade to nitrates. It's not taking out nitrates. It makes water absolutely crystal clear.
40ppm is not a problem for most freshwater fish.

 

Wow thanks for all the responses. When I was looking into this product, I noticed on Seachem’s website that “Purigen controls ammonia, nitrites and nitrates by removing nitrogenous organic waste that would otherwise release these harmful compounds.” I just assumed from that sentence that using it would lower the nitrates or keep them in check week to week in between water changes.

The reason I’m looking into this is because my 36g bowfront regularly hits 40ppm of nitrates every week, even after doing large water changes. I thought it could be attributable to overfeeding, so I adjusted that. No change. Then I thought my canister had become a nitrate factory, so I gave it a more thorough cleaning (in treated water) rather than the typical swishing and rinsing in dirty tank water. Still 40ppm of nitrates.

It’s not terribly high and I do keep up with my water changes, but I just thought maybe Purigen would help. I guess it can’t hurt, right?

I mean, you might as well give it a try! Word of warning though, if it smells really bad right at first, apparently that's normal. That smell goes away. I was really amazed at how it smelled when I first put it in my tank. Don't be worried. And as Goldiemom said, putting some plants in that grow quickly can help soak up some nitrates. Nitrates are literally plant food. It is a bioavailable form of nitrogen that plants use to grow and make food for themselves. If you water your home plants with that tank water it will make them more vibrant and happy! There's a reason why High nitrates lead to lots of algae.

Popular choices seem to be potato vines and pothos! The faster growing plant, the faster the nitrates get used.

 

I went ahead and got some. I also ordered Seachem’s The Bag. That way I don’t have to worry about getting a bag with holes too big.

I have a pothos plant in my home office. I think it’s a pothos. My sister gave it to me and said it’s a philodendron, but it looks more like pictures I’ve seen of pothos. Since philodendron are poisonous to cats, I keep it up out of reach of my two cats. Just in case it really is a philodendron and not a pothos. I believe pothos aren’t poisonous to cats? I just don’t want to risk it. If I put it in my tanks, they’ll easily get to it and eat it.

 

this might be helpful:


Nice thing about pothos is that it is really easy to start from a cutting. Generally you can just cut off a piece and stick it in water and it will start to root. Another nice thing about Pothos is that it doesn't require loads of light, which is why it's such a popular houseplant. We had one growing in our bathroom that we looped over the shower after it got super long!

 

this might be helpful:


Nice thing about pothos is that it is really easy to start from a cutting. Generally you can just cut off a piece and stick it in water and it will start to root. Another nice thing about Pothos is that it doesn't require loads of light, which is why it's such a popular houseplant. We had one growing in our bathroom that we looped over the shower after it got super long!

They’re also very forgiving when you forget to water them!

 

Does Purigen also remove good things? Like fertilizer?

 

Purigen definitely improved the water in my fussy 60-gal. It's a planted tank in the basement used for growing guppies with lighting and algae issues, generating a lot of organic waste. Purigen was exactly what the tank doctor ordered.

 

In addition to putting it in my 36g bowfront that I mentioned yesterday, I’m also going to put some in my new fancy goldfish tank that I just cycled. There will definitely be plenty of organic material in that tank!

 

It works well in my experience. I got the 100 ml size that came in its own bag already. I haven't tried recharging yet but it will be due pretty soon.

 

Oh hey I guess I could have posted my 1 day with Purigen comparison pics from my newest 20 gallon tank.

Took this right before adding Purigen.




And this was taken 24 hours later.

 

Oh hey I guess I could have posted my 1 day with Purigen comparison pics from my newest 20 gallon tank.

Took this right before adding Purigen.

View attachment 464135

And this was taken 24 hours later.

View attachment 464136

Holy smokes! That’s amazing!

 

Does Purigen also remove good things? Like fertilizer?

Nope. My plants are going crazy in my tank.

I’ve also used it during a cycle without any issue.

Just make sure when you recharge it to use plain bleach, not splashless and not scented. Also, you can’t use conditioners other than prime.

 

The Purigen came today, and I put it in my bowfront and in my goldfish tank. If I notice a difference, I think it’ll be in the gf tank. It’s clear, but it could be clearer.

 

about 2 months after starting the tank, just added the diy water polisher



after using the diy maxI jet water polisher



nighttime shot



a week after using purigen



nighttime shot

 

I use (1) 100 gallon bag in my 20 gallon and (2) 100 gallon bags in my 75 gallon.

I have recharged them a few times without any issues.

It's actually time to recharge them next time I service my filters.

Skavatar, what type of plants are those?

 

golden pothos cuttings. they've been in there almost 2 months.

I had some hornwort/coontail floating in there, but my goldfish have been eating up all the leaves.