I'm going to say that I'm quite surprised that someone proclaiming to have 30 years experience is even using carbon. In addition, I don't even understand the point of your topic to begin with if you first ask for input from others, but then slam the discussion door closed by deciding what you think is best anyway and everyone is just obviously wrong.
Purigen really better than carbon
- Thread starter jft
- Start date
I'm going to say that I'm quite surprised that someone proclaiming to have 30 years experience is even using carbon. In addition, I don't even understand the point of your topic to begin with if you first ask for input from others, but then slam the discussion door closed by deciding what you think is best anyway and everyone is just obviously wrong.
Back to the original idea of this post , as I tried to explain I have heard great things about purigen and I have no experience w it though as a reefer I use other GREAT seachem products, I would like to understand if IT TRULY REOMES ITEMS FROM THE WATER that Carbon does not, I am not trying to have a fight I just am curious as to how it exceeeds carbon, or Polyfilter which I do have expereince with, Thank you.
Looks like it does the same as other similar products but has greater capacity. From their site:
Purigen
Product Description
Purigen® is a premium synthetic adsorbent that is unlike any other filtration product. It is not a mixture of ion exchangers or adsorbents, but a unique macro-porous synthetic polymer that removes soluble and insoluble impurities from water at a rate and capacity that exceeds all others by over 500%. Purigen® controls ammonia, nitrites and nitrates by removing nitrogenous organic waste that would otherwise release these harmful compounds. Purigen’s™ impact on trace elements is minimal. It significantly raises redox. It polishes water to unparalleled clarity. Purigen® darkens progressively as it exhausts, and is easily renewed by treating with bleach. Purigen® is designed for both marine and freshwater use.
Sizes: 100 mL 250 mL, 500 mL, 1 L, 2 L, 4 L, 20 L
Why It's Different
Selectivity: Purigen® is the highest capacity organic filtration resin on the market. No other products can compare to its ability to clear haziness and polish water to unparalleled clarity. Unlike other products on the market which are simple ion-exchange resins, Purigen® is specifically designed to be an organic scavenging resin. When ion-exchange resins are filled to capacity by metals and other contaminants, Purigen® has barely begun to reach its potential. Purigen® generally ignores simple elemental compounds, having an extreme affinity for nitrogenous organics. The primary source of nitrogenous compounds in an aquarium is waste. Fish, corals, even plants produce nitrogenous waste. Purigen® removes that waste faster and more completely than anything else on the market.
Capacity: Purigen’s™ possesses enhanced capacity owing to its vast surface area. All other resins on the market are purely spherical extruded beads. These beads remain smooth even under a microscope. Purigen® is both spherical and macroreticular. It has microscopic pores that increase its usable surface area to many times that of a purely spherical resin.
Regeneration: Purigen® can also be regenerated. As it adsorbs waste products, Purigen® will change color from a pale blonde to a dark brown, almost black. Once it is exhausted, it can be regenerated with a solution of bleach and water. The bleach will literally “burn off” the organics that have been removed from the tank. Watch out for products that claim to be regenerable with a brine solution. That is the regeneration procedure for ion-exchange purposes. A brine solution will not remove organics. While such resins have a limited capacity for organic adsorption, a brine regeneration process only replaces removed ionic compounds. It does not destroy large organic molecules that were removed, which is the primary function of organic adsorption resins.
Directions
Rinse before use. Use in a fine mesh filter bag. Each 1 L treats up to 4,000 L (1,000 gallons*) for up to six months. Exhaustion is indicated by a pronounced discoloration of the beads to dark brown or black.
Regeneration: Soak in a 1:1 bleach:water solution for 24 hours in a non-metalic container in a well ventilated area and away from children. Rinse well, then soak for 8 hours with a solution containing 2 tablespoons of ChlorGuard™, Prime®, or equivalent dechlorinator per cup of water. Rinse well. Original color and full activity should now be restored and Purigen® is ready for reuse. Caution: some slime coat products may permanently foul Purigen® and render regeneration difficult. Do not reuse if odor of chlorine is detectable. In case of doubt, soak beads in small quantity of water and test for residual chlorine with a chlorine test kit.
Purigen
Product Description
Purigen® is a premium synthetic adsorbent that is unlike any other filtration product. It is not a mixture of ion exchangers or adsorbents, but a unique macro-porous synthetic polymer that removes soluble and insoluble impurities from water at a rate and capacity that exceeds all others by over 500%. Purigen® controls ammonia, nitrites and nitrates by removing nitrogenous organic waste that would otherwise release these harmful compounds. Purigen’s™ impact on trace elements is minimal. It significantly raises redox. It polishes water to unparalleled clarity. Purigen® darkens progressively as it exhausts, and is easily renewed by treating with bleach. Purigen® is designed for both marine and freshwater use.
Sizes: 100 mL 250 mL, 500 mL, 1 L, 2 L, 4 L, 20 L
Why It's Different
Selectivity: Purigen® is the highest capacity organic filtration resin on the market. No other products can compare to its ability to clear haziness and polish water to unparalleled clarity. Unlike other products on the market which are simple ion-exchange resins, Purigen® is specifically designed to be an organic scavenging resin. When ion-exchange resins are filled to capacity by metals and other contaminants, Purigen® has barely begun to reach its potential. Purigen® generally ignores simple elemental compounds, having an extreme affinity for nitrogenous organics. The primary source of nitrogenous compounds in an aquarium is waste. Fish, corals, even plants produce nitrogenous waste. Purigen® removes that waste faster and more completely than anything else on the market.
Capacity: Purigen’s™ possesses enhanced capacity owing to its vast surface area. All other resins on the market are purely spherical extruded beads. These beads remain smooth even under a microscope. Purigen® is both spherical and macroreticular. It has microscopic pores that increase its usable surface area to many times that of a purely spherical resin.
Regeneration: Purigen® can also be regenerated. As it adsorbs waste products, Purigen® will change color from a pale blonde to a dark brown, almost black. Once it is exhausted, it can be regenerated with a solution of bleach and water. The bleach will literally “burn off” the organics that have been removed from the tank. Watch out for products that claim to be regenerable with a brine solution. That is the regeneration procedure for ion-exchange purposes. A brine solution will not remove organics. While such resins have a limited capacity for organic adsorption, a brine regeneration process only replaces removed ionic compounds. It does not destroy large organic molecules that were removed, which is the primary function of organic adsorption resins.
Directions
Rinse before use. Use in a fine mesh filter bag. Each 1 L treats up to 4,000 L (1,000 gallons*) for up to six months. Exhaustion is indicated by a pronounced discoloration of the beads to dark brown or black.
Regeneration: Soak in a 1:1 bleach:water solution for 24 hours in a non-metalic container in a well ventilated area and away from children. Rinse well, then soak for 8 hours with a solution containing 2 tablespoons of ChlorGuard™, Prime®, or equivalent dechlorinator per cup of water. Rinse well. Original color and full activity should now be restored and Purigen® is ready for reuse. Caution: some slime coat products may permanently foul Purigen® and render regeneration difficult. Do not reuse if odor of chlorine is detectable. In case of doubt, soak beads in small quantity of water and test for residual chlorine with a chlorine test kit.
To be honest as possible Purigen is a very good and efficient product and does well within the aquatic market. Carbon is the more common and still very effective. I'd say Purigen has more beneficial attributes. But my personal preference would be a product called Pura Complete from the company Magnivore. I have personally used all of these products and many more in my 18 years for aquarium keeping and have come to the conclusion that Pura Complete is the right product for me. I also work as a sales rep selling all of the products mentioned. Carbon is the greatest seller, Pura Complete is the least known so is the least selling. Also depends on the application of the product. Use in sump, canister, reactor??? Free flowing water passing through or forced???
I do like purigen only because I notice my water went even more crystal clear once added. I am not a big fan with carbon due to having to change it often.
Also not 100% sure if its the same for freshwater but most salt water people advise to change carbon every few days depending on stocks etc as it can leach out what it has absorbed once its reached it limit.
Have to agree its one of the things we have as back up, bit like a UV they work but you dont see everyone rushing out to get one.
Theres a lot of good reads on carbon related to salt water, some more old school keepers still feel that carbon gives better results then skimming.
Also not 100% sure if its the same for freshwater but most salt water people advise to change carbon every few days depending on stocks etc as it can leach out what it has absorbed once its reached it limit.
Have to agree its one of the things we have as back up, bit like a UV they work but you dont see everyone rushing out to get one.
Theres a lot of good reads on carbon related to salt water, some more old school keepers still feel that carbon gives better results then skimming.
As a fellow Reefer, then you know that carbon removes trace elements right? Granted, these minor elements must be in specific form and are ph dependant...but I digress. I didn't think you where looking for a debate but as I stated earlier, this subject is debatable. Progressive thinking leans more to the occasional use or not at all. Old school is still advocating it. Synthetic polymer resins are more along the lines of progressive aquarium keeping, but still debatable.
Again, if you really are curious as to how something works, only you can find out. How it works for others obviously isn't good enough for you, and I think you are absolutely looking for a fight.
PERIOD.
"I'm going to say that I'm quite surprised that someone proclaiming to have 30 years experience is even using carbon. In addition, I don't even understand the point of your topic to begin with if you first ask for input from others, but then slam the discussion door closed by deciding what you think is best anyway and everyone is just obviously wrong."-KrazEDesigns
^^thank you^^
Again, if you really are curious as to how something works, only you can find out. How it works for others obviously isn't good enough for you, and I think you are absolutely looking for a fight.
PERIOD.
"I'm going to say that I'm quite surprised that someone proclaiming to have 30 years experience is even using carbon. In addition, I don't even understand the point of your topic to begin with if you first ask for input from others, but then slam the discussion door closed by deciding what you think is best anyway and everyone is just obviously wrong."-KrazEDesigns
^^thank you^^
First I was not closing any doors, second lots of aquarists including myself use carbon, third I was merely trying to find out why purigen is chosen over carbon, the small bead size I understand is difficult to contain, unless you are in to buying pricey bags 12 dollars here locally, and fourthI do not understand the hostility from fellow aquarists on this board questioning whenin fact I started out by saying Aquarists have preety strong opinions as to what they use, Sorry I was trying to gain a TRUE critque on ow this media is really that much better than carbon, chemipure or polyfiter, L never meant to upset anyone, Maybe time to go back to other boards where I never had this issue, Peace
