Purigen Vs Chemipure Elite/blue Vs Carbon?

I started out many yrs ago with the undergravel filter, since evolved to one trickle filter (gone now) and then HOB’s and internal filters. My latest and greatest endeavor is the canister filters I bought this yr, only one of which I’m using. Always used carbon or ammocarb & good old filter floss, then I up graded to purigen- works well as water clarifier/ ammonia, nitrites & nitrates remains low when using- however leaves tank fishy/funky odor not there when using carbon. So, I added seachems hypersorb to purigen as I was trying to go carbon free cause I was told carbon gives cichlids HITH or HLLE of which I wanted neither. Hypersorb eliminated funky fish tank odor (phenols) just like carbon does. Also bought seachem phosguard to remove that as well.
Now, recently I bought chemipure blue- from what I understand chemipure is superior to carbon and purigen. So far one chemipure has done what purigen & hypersorb & phosgurad did for me together & chemipures supposed to also remove hormones fish release into the water.
Please tell me your experience with these chemical media’s & how you use & like them.

 

I haven’t used carbon for years and don’t find that my tanks give off any noticeably unpleasant odours. I’ve been using Purigen as a clarifier in one tank and it works very well. I have a chunky piece of driftwood that still releases a little tannin, even after 9 months. I will probably discontinue using the Purigen once it can no longer be recharged. Water changes should be enough now to control what little tannin is still being released. I’m not certain that Purigen has reduced nitrates, but in any case a small increase wouldn’t bother me since it is a planted tank plus I do fairly large regular water changes. I don't need to worry about ammonia or nitrites. The filters are well established and my tap water contains neither.

 

a few weeks after getting my goldfish tank cycled it started getting bacterial bloom. tried the diy water polisher for a few weeks, got the water about 50% less cloudy. then tried a small bag of Purigen and it cleared up the water after a week. used it for 6 months or so, kept the water clear. then I stopped using it for a couple of weeks to see if the tank will stay clear w/o it. It started clouding up again. put the Purigen back in and after a week its cleared up.

no experience with carbon or phosguard or anything else.

after a little research they say Chemipure Blue is basically activated carbon with a small amount of Purigen in it. Pure Purigen can be recharged.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
info on post #11

• Contents
  • Extruded pelletized carbon, phosphate adsorption resin, and organic scavenger resin
• Tank Type
  • Higher pH tanks such as saltwater reef tanks, African Cichlids, Goldfish and Koi
• Benefits
  • Clear and contaminant-free water with the added benefit of quick phosphate control and organic waste removal

sounds like Blue is pre-mixed carbon, phosguard, and purigen.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
more discussion from the reef tank guys Purigen vs. Chemipure Elite vs. Chemipure Blue

 

I haven’t used carbon for years and don’t find that my tanks give off any noticeably unpleasant odours. I’ve been using Purigen as a clarifier in one tank and it works very well. I have a chunky piece of driftwood that still releases a little tannin, even after 9 months. I will probably discontinue using the Purigen once it can no longer be recharged. Water changes should be enough now to control what little tannin is still being released. I’m not certain that Purigen has reduced nitrates, but in any case a small increase wouldn’t bother me since it is a planted tank plus I do fairly large regular water changes. I don't need to worry about ammonia or nitrites. The filters are well established and my tap water contains neither.

Hello
I tried the no carbon method, it doesn’t work for me. Even in my 10 gallon. I personally can’t do it. I have discus/angels in bigger tank & I feed them & they eat a lot.
Even with WC, to me fish tanks have an odor, I’m hypersensitive to the smell because I have asthma. If I get a whiff of my or someone else’s fishy/stinky tank, I’m sneezing & coughing. For example, when I walk into a aquarium store- it smells different than being outside. Sometimes kinda beachy or earthy smelling, sometimes like something died 5x type smelling. Depends on the store. People’s home aquariums smell those same ways. And once people are in the store for a while, they no longer smell it. I do like the smell of the saltwater aquarium stores, their stores smell like ocean to me.

 

I have used ChemI Pure Blue now but only if needed. Purigen did not work for me.