seachem purigen

[Mathew1991]

Should I be using this in my filter to get crystal clear water or should I use water clarifier product

 

[AlexT]

I was wondering about this as my set up will have a potential for higher than normal organic waste with leaf litter etc, but that's what water changes are for.

I'll watch this thread to what people think. I hope purigen is not another gimmick designed to get us to part with our

 

[Mathew1991]

Yeah I have been watching a few videos on YouTube about it before and thought I would ask advice on here

 

[AlexT]

We have to be careful with it, because you have to recharge the purigen in bleach. Plus, I think theoretically it can interfere with nutrients in the water, which might impact me more than you, with a heavily planted tank.

It sounds like a short cut to good tank maintenance to me, but let's see what the lads and ladies think.

 

[Slaphppy7]

It sounds like a short cut to good tank maintenance to me, but let's see what the lads and ladies think.

Agreed, not needed...proper filtration will clear the water on it's own

 

[Mathew1991]

I have 207 fluval filter and can’t seem to get clear water

 

[Mathew1991]

Also rather than recharge it could you just replace it also I was looking at pure aquarium balls

 

[seangee]

Is it a new tank? If so give it a couple of weeks to settle - its normal. If not something is out of balance and should be fixed - filtering it out only hides the issue. FWIW I have 4 tanks which my neighbours describe as crystal clear. Nothing but sponge in the filters and no chemicals.

 

[Mathew1991]

It’s about 2-3 month old now

 

[Mathew1991]

It’s more like cloudy water

 

[Byron]

Never but never use any additive/substance to deal with an issue unless it is safe and effective. A fish is continually "drinking" by taking in water via osmosis. Substances dissolved in the water that are able to diffuse across the cell membranes will enter into the fish's bloodstream and internal organs. These are always stressful, frequently dangerous. This applies to medications too.

Water clarifiers work by binding microscopic particulate matter into larger bits that can then be removed by the fine media (foam, wool, etc) in the filter, or the sponge filter. All very well, except the binding occurs in the fishes' gills too. Not good. So, do not use them.

As for Purigen, I have never used it but I think it may have a use, but someone familiar with it will have to advise us. @AbbeysDad I believe used this in his nitrate fight, I will alert him to this thread.

To the cloudiness/haziness...this can have a few sources. Microscopic particulate sediment in the tap water (this can change with seasons and weather), not everything gets filtered out. Dust from the substrate (especially in new setups), which is similar to the aforementioned. It will settle out/filter out in time, leave it. Third and probably most common, a bloom which can be bacterial, organic or diatom. Organics feed these, and these organics can come in the tap water as well as the tank. The bacteria that feed on organics multiply very rapidly, and cause the cloudiness. Depending where the bloom comes from, it is usually best to wait it out, as fresh tap water in a water change can add even more. Normal water changes should continue, but not excessive.

 

[AlexT]

I think @AbbeysDad said that in 2 years it didn't make a difference to his nitrate. I been reading his posts. Let's see @Byron I think he was having issues with nitrate from his well water

 

[Byron]

Chemical filtration refers to filtration using substances like carbon, purigen, etc. In a planted tank, these are never advisable because they mess with the nutrients plants need. In non-planted tanks, they may have a use depending upon the source water.