Purigen Refresh??

Hello everyone!

I’m new to the forum and the fish keeping hobby.

I have a 40Gallon breeder that I have a pouch of Purigen in to help clear up the tannins from my driftwood. I’ve read that you can sort or bring the Purigen pouches back to life with some bleach and Seachem Prime.

I don’t have Seachem Prime, but I have a water conditioner. I was wondering if it can be done without Seachem Prime and if so, how would I do it?

Sorry if this a dumb question. Just want to make sure I keep my fish safe and don’t ruin the Purigen pouch if I don’t have to.

Thank you!!
Crystal

 

Welcome to fishlore!

 

I don't use prime either to refresh purigen and ive never had any trouble

 

Thank you!

Welcome to fishlore!

 

I don't use prime either to refresh purigen and ive never had any trouble

Do you just use the water conditioner you have on hand? I’ve never reused it before. It’s my first time buying Purigen.

 

Once the Purgen is bleached, rinse real well and treat with a dechlorinator and let it dry a few days. The one thing about prime is a little goes a long way 5ml per 50 gallons.

 

Once the Purgen is bleached, rinse real well and treat with a dechlorinator and let it dry a few days. The one thing about prime is a little goes a long way 5ml per 50 gallons.

Awesome!! Thank you so much! I’m using API Tap Water Conditioner. I was going to buy Prime, but my local Petco didn’t have any left and I had a gift card I wanted to use up. I’ll buy it at Petsmart when I go or next. It seems to be used for a lot of different applications. Is a certain amount of bleach?

 

Awesome!! Thank you so much! I’m using API Tap Water Conditioner. I was going to buy Prime, but my local Petco didn’t have any left and I had a gift card I wanted to use up. I’ll buy it at Petsmart when I go or next. It seems to be used for a lot of different applications. Is a certain amount of bleach?

I'm not sure about the amount of bleach, but it does have to be pure bleach no scents etc... You could check on the Seachem website they have a lot of good info there on their products and even a forum.

 

I'm not sure about the amount of bleach, but it does have to be pure bleach no scents etc... You could check on the Seachem website they have a lot of good info there on their products and even a forum.

Thank you! Will do! appreciate your help!

 

Re the amount of bleach, it depends on how fouled the purigen is.
I refreshed my purigen pouch for the first (only) time a few months back, and I used a small amount of bleach solution (50:50 with tap water), just enough to submerge the pouch, and it didn't get the job done. I had to replace the bleach solution a couple times, and do a fair amount of pouch-squeezing (not a metaphor, I swear) to get the inside looking as clean as the outside.
I recommend you use about a litre, or a quart of mixture (half quart bleach, half quart water) at least to start, and stir/squeeze/manipulate the pouch a few times. You'll know it's done when you can't see any traces of brown granules, even in the inside parts when you roll it around in your hand.
As for the dechlor, with the amount of bleach involved, I personally wouldn't take the chance (of not treating). But others above (whose posts I read often, and who I trust [somewhat ]) obviously have different experience.

 

Re the amount of bleach, it depends on how fouled the purigen is.
I refreshed my purigen pouch for the first (only) time a few months back, and I used a small amount of bleach solution (50:50 with tap water), just enough to submerge the pouch, and it didn't get the job done. I had to replace the bleach solution a couple times, and do a fair amount of pouch-squeezing (not a metaphor, I swear) to get the inside looking as clean as the outside.
I recommend you use about a litre, or a quart of mixture (half quart bleach, half quart water) at least to start, and stir/squeeze/manipulate the pouch a few times. You'll know it's done when you can't see any traces of brown granules, even in the inside parts when you roll it around in your hand.
As for the dechlor, with the amount of bleach involved, I personally wouldn't take the chance (of not treating). But others above (whose posts I read often, and who I trust [somewhat ]) obviously have different experience.

I still want to treat it. I just have a regular conditioner. I checked the Seachem website as suggested above, and it says 24hrs in a 1:1 bleach solution and then 8hours In treated water to cleanse. Smell the pouch after the 8hours to see if there is any bleach, and if so, then repeat the 8hour rinse. I might just wait til I go buy the Prime just to be on the safe side.

Thank you!!

 

Once the Purgen is bleached, rinse real well and treat with a dechlorinator and let it dry a few days. The one thing about prime is a little goes a long way 5ml per 50 gallons.

You can not let purigen dry out it needs to stay wet.

Do you just use the water conditioner you have on hand? I’ve never reused it before. It’s my first time buying Purigen.

I bleach 1:1 ro water (800ml each)and leave it for 24rs then I just dose the 5x the recomended amount of dechlorinater and let it sit for 24hrs.

 

smee82 I have never bought the product, but does it come in the package wet or dry. If the manufacturer ships it dry I really don't see an issue with it drying out after rinsing.

 

I still want to treat it. I just have a regular conditioner. I checked the Seachem website as suggested above, and it says 24hrs in a 1:1 bleach solution and then 8hours In treated water to cleanse. Smell the pouch after the 8hours to see if there is any bleach, and if so, then repeat the 8hour rinse. I might just wait til I go buy the Prime just to be on the safe side.

Thank you!!

I follow these instructions to T, and I have four bags I recharge every few weeks. I use a small mason jar with a plastic lid, and 6% bleach and a little water (directions are for 8% bleach which I can't find).

For dechlorination, it has to be a dechlor product that contains complexed hydrosulfite salts like Prime. It has to do with how the Purigen epoxy reacts with other chemicals. Anything with a slime coat will supposedly ruin it. 1/4 cup dechlor to one cup of water.

Also, don't let it sit too long the in the bleach. I forgot I was recharging a bag a couple weeks ago and when I went to get it out a few days later the balls had melted!

smee82 I have never bought the product, but does it come in the package wet or dry. If the manufacturer ships it dry I really don't see an issue with it drying out after rinsing.

It is shipped dry but it plumps up in water. If it dries out afterwards it can crack into smaller pieces.

 

I follow these instructions to T, and I have four bags I recharge every few weeks. I use a small mason jar with a plastic lid, and 6% bleach and a little water (directions are for 8% bleach which I can't find).

For dechlorination, it has to be a dechlor product that contains complexed hydrosulfite salts like Prime. It has to do with how the Purigen epoxy reacts with other chemicals. Anything with a slime coat will supposedly ruin it. 1/4 cup dechlor to one cup of water.

Also, don't let it sit too long the in the bleach. I forgot I was recharging a bag a couple weeks ago and when I went to get it out a few days later the balls had melted!






It is shipped dry but it plumps up in water. If it dries out afterwards it can crack into smaller pieces.

Thank you!!

 

Thank you everyone for all your input!! I’ll go out and buy the prime and do as recommended- 24hr 1:1 bleach soak and 8hr treated rinse with 5x the dose of Prime.

 

smee82 I have never bought the product, but does it come in the package wet or dry. If the manufacturer ships it dry I really don't see an issue with it drying out after rinsing.

It comes wet. You should check if your not sure one something.

 

It comes wet. You should check if your not sure one something.

I did say I had never used the product I have read about it, but I don't have a need for it. That was why I directed the OP to the manufacturers website.

 

It comes wet. You should check if your not sure one something.

All five bags I've purchased were dry.

 

They come feeling humid is the best way I can describe it. Just not like bone dry

and I've let mine dry completely many times, sometimes even for years with some of my bags. No issues. Seachem warns that they could break as the other guy said, and if they did, you may get pieces that slip through the mesh and make a mess of your tank. Hasn't happened to me, but certainly possible, I guess.

 

They come feeling humid is the best way I can describe it. Just not like bone dry

and I've let mine dry completely many times, sometimes even for years with some of my bags. No issues. Seachem warns that they could break as the other guy said, and if they did, you may get pieces that slip through the mesh and make a mess of your tank. Hasn't happened to me, but certainly possible, I guess.

I agree I wouldnt class them as dry either.

 

I bought 2 sacs/pouches of it, they came sort of soggy in their packages. Haven't recharged them yet. Saw a quick youtube video of how to recharge it. Pretty simple.

1) 1:1 Ratio of bleach & water. Soak for 24hrs. Rinse
2) 1:1 Ratio of water & prime (or dechlorinator ) soak for 24hrs.

Check to see if it smells like bleach. If it does, soak again in step #2
It will become white. If it came in a jar dry, then you can dry it out.
If it came in a pouch damp/soggy, then it has to remain soggy.

 

Sounds good, that's how it's done. I can convince myself I still smell bleach when everyone else I have smell it says I'm crazy, so I always do step 2 twice just for peace of mind. A little more Prime is way cheaper than losing a tank full of fish, and still way cheaper than buying new Purigen.

 

So... perhaps this is a dumb question, but can you guys tell me how you maintain soggy pouches of Purigen? Like, do you leave it soggy with the Prime/water rinse, or would it be better to do a final soak in pure water, drain it a bit, then in a zipper bag maybe? Thanks!

 

After step #2, I would just take the pouch out of the bowl and let it drain the most until it's left soggy, then just plop it in a ziploc bag and place it in a cool, dark area until it's ready to be used. From my understanding, it can stay in storage like that for months. Then when you're ready to use it, just plop it in the filter as-is

 

Zipper bag is the right answer but I'm guilty of letting them dry out completely lol

 

Thank's guys! Storing in a ziploc while damp with Prime water is what I've been doing, and I'm glad it works for you. I do have access to very, very clean water though, soo... I suppose I should pose my question to Seachem, as I'm wondering about the longevity of the product being better when stored soggy with Prime water, or if honestly pure, 0 TDS RODI water would be better. The difference may be negligible, but I'm just curious.

 

Report back here with their answer if you do!