Purigen Alternative

[MichaelJ]

Not sure where you got that from but I have regenerated mine well over 10 or 15 times and still it's working, so all in all it's probably cheaper than using carbon.

I must say in my case they get really hard to clean after 5-6 times. Keep in mind when I remove mine for cleaning after a month or so they are extremely dark brown, almost black... I only use Purigen when I have too much tannins. I do not rely on it for anything else, and for that it works fine for me.

It’s a shame Purigen is so expensive and that you can only regenerate it four or five times.
I’m wondering if there’s any mileage in regenerating it before it gets too bad rather than leaving it longer?

Yes. I think I possibly could get more mileage out the bags if I would remove and clean them before they get extremely dirty, say every two weeks instead of a month or so.

Cheers,
Michael

 

[Aqua sobriquet]

It’s a shame about the bogwood in my tank. It’s been in there a few years and still leaking tannins. It looks good though with moss growing on it and the shrimps seem to like it. I don’t think I’ll be risking bogwood in my next tank though.

 

[PARAGUAY]

I think the thing about all these products is simply expectations, you can't expect it(Purigen) to work as well in say a large fish large tank scenario. Green Aqua call it their"secret" to crystal clear water. Their showroom
aquariums needs to look good all year round. But it not a replacement for good husbandry with a aquarium. I have a couple of bags over two years and can still regenerate "creamy white"
Compared to activated carbon £8 a bag?(in the UK) needs replacing after 6 to 8 weeks, last time l looked small bag Purigen around £12 and lasts l would guess at least 12months in a well kept planted aquarium seems good value to me, but it not essential for a nice aquarium although contest competitors aquarium chaps would mostly disagree

 

[MichaelJ]

Compared to activated carbon £8 a bag?(in the UK) needs replacing after 6 to 8 weeks, last time l looked small bag Purigen around £12 and lasts l would guess at least 12months in a well kept planted aquarium seems good value to me, but it not essential for a nice aquarium although contest competitors aquarium chaps would mostly disagree

Very much agree. For me it’s purely an aesthetic thing - definitely not essential. I actually don’t even think Purigen is offering any other significant filtration benefits other than polishing off those tiny “impurities” such as the tannins.

Cheers,
Michael

 

[_Maq_]

Compared to activated carbon £8 a bag?(in the UK) needs replacing after 6 to 8 weeks

I dose 1 g AC per 1 liter and, according to my observations, it works 3 to 4 weeks in "clean" tank. In a troubled tank, the dose or/and longevity would be bigger, and shorter respectively.
AC normally sold in hobbyists stores is (a) often unsuitable, made of coconut, (b) awfully overpriced.
I've chosen my product, AC made from coal (made in Poland), and purchased 25 kg bag for roughly 100-120 pounds. Enough for me and my children, I guess. For a 100 liter tank, one dose makes 0.48 pound.
I wash it in acid because most of my tanks are softwater and minerals leaching from AC could influence my carefully created and observed chemistry.

Why bother? That depends. Organic pollution is my obsession, and I maintain it's the greatest source of troubles. Water changes are necessary, but with AC the results are still a bit better. You can either agree, or disagree and take AC for useless, too expensive, or so.

 

[Aqua sobriquet]

It’s just an aesthetic thing for me. The best carbon I found was the Fluval stuff but it only lasted 3-4 weeks before the colour came back.
The tank at the moment with the Purigen in it has never looked so clear.