+/- Of Using Purigen In A Low-Tech Freshwater Tank

[Alm0stAwesome]

Hello peeps,

I've just added purigen to the filter of my newly planted tank as I've got diatoms and tannins galore. I did a quick read on it tonight and I gather some people don't recommend adding purigen to low-tech tanks such as my own. I just dose TPN+ once a week at the moment and that's it! Would anyone care to break down the perks and drawbacks for using it in my tank because now I am totally confused!

 

[PJPJ]

The only drawback I am aware of is that it is 'chemical' filtration which many people aren't keen on. I've seen reports saying it is best to wait until a tank is cycled before adding though.

The major perk for me is that generally it will reduce Nitrates by removing the waste proteins rather than the Nitrate directly with the bonus of polishing the water and it can be regenerated.

 

[minnnt]

No drawbacks, loads of perks.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Sooo we don't agree with what this guy was saying?

A lot of it was going over my head and, frankly, if you say something with enough confidence...I'll believe it!

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/380805-purigen-in-an-ex1200/

 

[kcartwright856]

I've never personally used Purigen, though I plan to purchase some for use in the future, but I've heard nothing but great things. Especially from planted tank folks.

Purigen will suck those tannins right up, but I don't believe they'll do anything for your diatoms.

Go for it, though. I have yet to see any solid backing for anything negative about Purigen.

 

[Tizer]

I have some in one of my filters, its a few months old now and while i occasionally believe my water looks clear, quite honestly i cant "really" see any polishing effect on it truth be told. That said, its supposed to remove nasties from the water column and i've paid for it now, so its just there, doing whatever it does. Would i bother with it on my smaller tanks....no.

If you have loads of diatoms, how long are your lights on for?

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

8 hrs

and that's a big cut back lol! But I made the cut back before I went planted and had the diatoms

 

[kcartwright856]

Diatoms are 100% normal for a newly planted tank. They will go away on their own with time, you could clean them up manually, or get some cute nerites to eat them up!

Either way, diatoms aren't a light issue.

 

[Tizer]

Diatoms normally go bananas if you are using silica sands, but they are also a precursor to other algae outbreaks. 8 hours for a new tank/new plants is way to much, you should aim for 5 hours then up in by one hour every month. Its not accurate science and it might sound daft, but it certainly wont do any harm. Plus a power head (if you don't have one already) to give you better circulation will help ten fold.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Thanks Tizer, I'll cut back (grudgingly!!) for now. I have no idea what kind of sand I have as it came with a second hand tank. It looks a lot like my Caribsea Tahitian Moon - I know there aren't a lot of sands in the UK that are that dark black so I did assume that's what it was...

I would like the avoid the powerhead route because I have a betta who is actually very good in the flow of my tank but I don't want to add more if I can get away with it

My corys seem to have been eating some of the diatoms though as there are little dots of clean leaf showing through

 

[Tizer]

the hydor power heads are good with bettas, they push the water around the tank without making a massive jet of water in one single direction. might be worth a peek

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Super! I will do

 

[ian]

It's said previously that diatoms are not a light issue...Diatoms are now thought to be all a light issue, as we know all algae is triggered by ammonia and light. The good thing about diatoms is that they should go eventually. There is a myth that this species feeds off of leeched silica from the substrate, since an analysis shows high silica content in the cell walls, but that has proven to be untrue. They feed off of ammonia in the water column and their presence is exacerbated by high light. If you can't handle the diatoms, shrimp and otos love the stuff!


As for Purigen, i would still use it in a low Tech, tis the best filter media around IMO/IME!

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Thanks ianho! I've definetley seen an improvement in the reduction of tannins and am reducing my light to 5 hours a day

 

[ian]

You will be able to increase that photoperiod when things mature a little.