Purigen/phosphates - Seachem

Cathy G · 05-01-2006, 10:45 AM

Hi,
I just regenerated some purigen and used the discus buffer to complete the process. We have been having excess phosphate in our aquariums due to our city water and have switched sources. Yesterday we tested our water before a water change and the amount of phosphates was minute. We did our normal 30% weekly water change. Then we put the regenerated purigen in the filter and within 12 hours the phosphate test was reading very high amounts of phosphates in our tank. Is this because of the regeneration of the purigen - it added phosphates in the water? We really don't want all these phosphates - we are having algae issues!

(I am hoping that purigen just causes a false reading or something - we really like this product!) Thanks for your time,

Cathy

Cathy G · 05-04-2006, 08:51 AM

Anybody at Seachem?
Do I assume that if I followed the directions and used the Discus buffer or Neutral buffer as the final step in regenerating my Purigen, that I will indeed be adding phosphates to my tank? Is there another way to bring the pH of the regenerated Purigen down w/o using a phosphate buffer?
Cathy

Laith · 05-04-2006, 11:19 AM

Until Seachem responds to your query, here's my input...

According to their website, Discus Buffer and Neutral Regulator are both phosphate based. So adding either of them will add phosphates to your tank.

Seachem's Acid Buffer is a non-phosphate based buffer.

By the way, if this is a well lit well planted tank, phosphates will not cause algae...

Seachem · 05-04-2006, 02:33 PM

Sorry for the delay in responding, I was out of town for a bit on business. Regarding the original question, I suspect the Discus Buffer as it is a phosphate based buffer. Instead of using a phosphate based buffer in this step of the regeneration process, you may opt for our Acid Buffer as it is a non-phosphate based product (good call Laith).

Cathy G · 05-04-2006, 04:09 PM

Will the acid buffer - just used to regenerate the purigen, effect the pH in the tank water?
Cathy

Raul-7 · 05-04-2006, 08:03 PM

Sorry to bud in, but I have found no negative side effects of not using any buffer during the regeneration process. I just use a bleach 1:1 water solution, keep the Purigen in there for 24 hours. Wash thoroughly, then I let it sit in some tap water for a week. Rinse again, make sure there is no smell of bleach. Add to filter, fish are doing fine. No rise in pH, infact I tested the pH of the water and it's actually lower than 7 (0.01+/-).

Seachem · 05-05-2006, 06:53 AM

The Acid Buffer will not affect pH in your aquarium as the acid is consumed by the residual base from the bleach. You may also opt to rinse the Purigen one final time prior to putting back in your aquarium to wash away any residual acid from the Acid Buffer (not completely necessary but worth mentioning).

Salt · 05-05-2006, 10:47 AM

I might try that Raul... for me I've found new Purigen to have zero effect on pH and regenerated Purigen to always affect it some way due to the soaking in buffer afterwards.

Don't you think it would still be a good idea to soak it in some declorination solution before letting it sit in tap water for a week? Or does chlorine indeed completely become non toxic after sitting "exposed" for long enough? I also think RO/DI water might be better for soaking as it won't introduce any carbonates back into the regenerated Purigen.